Best 3D Modeling Software that you should learn in 2021 cginspiringartist.com/best-3d-modeling-software/
Listen Audio Version 3D Artist Carrier increasing day by day in the world. Before it’s too late, you should start learning some of the best 3d modeling software this year. In the 3D Field, much 3D Software available, some are free some are paid. So it’s difficult to choose good 3d modeling software. I see much 3d art programs are worthless and they waste the time of learners. So before learning any 3d modeling software you must think about which software is good for you. Most artists think 3DS Max and Maya are the best 3D Modeling software. But other 3D Design software is also a great feature.
How to Download 3D Modeling Software for Free? If you are a Student or Educator, you can download any Professional 3D Modeling software for free for educational purposes. For commercial use, you need to Buy Paid subscription plan.
Requirement
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Active High-Speed Internet Connection Student ID Patience Passion
Follow the Below Steps For Example, We Download Autodesk Maya. Go to Autodesk Website Find Maya and Click on Product Detail. Now, Click on Download Free Trial Click on Next and Choose Student or Teacher in Box Dropdown After that click on Education Community and Click on Get Started Button Choose Your Country, Education Role, and Institution Type. Double Check your data and Click on the Next Button Now Create Your Account and Upload your Student id. Don’t upload any false information. After Uploading all the Data, you can download any 3d modeling Programme for free for learning purposes.
Best 3D Modeling Software Many junior artists ask, what the best 3d modeling software that we need to learn. So I clear that Software is just a tool, skill is more important than software. If you already started learning 3D Software then you don’t need to change your 3d software. Now we talk about some of the professional 3D Modeling software and its feature.
1. Autodesk 3ds Max
3ds Studio Max is a is beginner-friendly 3d modeling software. Because its workflow is really comfortable for beginners. You can access all the tools on the righthand side. 3DS Max widely used in the gaming and Architecture industry. Its have an amazing tool to makes modeling really easy, thank you for the modifiers.
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3DS Max is the easiest 3d modeling software for the interior designer. Because you can find readymade objects for interior modeling such as Stairs, doors, windows, etc. That’s why 3d max is an easy 3d modeling software for architecture 3DS Max is also considered the best 3d modeling software for games. Many gaming studios use 3DS Max for gaming projects. Features Best Spline Tools Open Shading Language Support Blended Box Map Chamfer Modifier Hair and Fur Modifier Data Channel Modifier Boolean Shape Mesh and Surface Modeling Realistic Liquid Motion Path Basic Rigging and Animation Tool Max Creation Graph Particle Flow Simulation Voxel Heatmap skinning Improved Viewport Quality Arnold Integration Physical Camera Game Exporter Batch Rendering
2. Autodesk Maya
Maya is costly than other 3D Programs because Maya is a complete 3D Package. Some of the best Maya tools are UV Mapping, retopology, xgen, insert edge flow, etc.
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We already published a collection of the best Maya tutorials. You should check it out to learn Maya. Feature BiFrost XGEN Fluid Great Liquid Simulation Realistic Ocean Simulation System Realistic Deformable Cloth Bullet Physics (Rigged & Softbody) Great animation tool Cache Plyabck for Faster playing Voxel Binding Great time Controller Graphic editor for Animation Shape authoring workflow Parallel Rig Evaluation Great working environment Arnold Integration Look Development Color Management Maya Faster Boolean Faster UV Toolset Better Sculpting tools Great Motion Graphics tools Pipeline Integration Many Plugin Available Scripting for Faster Work Game Exporter Option Advance Re Topology Tools such as Quad Draw
3. Autodesk Maya LT Maya LT is a light version of Maya especially developed for the game artist. If you have a low-end pc, tight budget then you can use Maya LT instead of Maya. But Maya LT has limited features. So before buying Buy Maya LT, you can download the trial version first and check Maya LT is Good or not for you. In this version, You can find all the tools that have Maya’s full version have. Some tools are removed to optimize Maya LT For a game artist Feature 3D Modeling, UV, and Texture Tools 3D Animation and rigging tools 4/17
Indie Game Workflow Xgen, Bifrost, and VFX tools are removed
4.Cinema 4D Cinema 4D is developed by Maxon. It’s used for motion graphic purposes. But it has also a powerful modeling toolset. Features Polygon Modeling Parametric Modeling Sculpting Volume Modeling Material / Shaders Node Based Material 3D Painting Character Animation Mograph Simulation Lighting Realtime Workflow
5.SideFX Houdini Houdini is node-based fully procedural 3D modeling software. Houdini is used mostly in VFX and simulation work. But this software has incredible tools for 3d modeling also. Houdini is Divided into four software such as Houdini FX, Houdini Core, Houdini Indie, and Houdini Apprentice. So its means, you don’t need to pay money for a feature that you don’t use. You can select the software that you need. Here is all houdini Software:-
A. Houdini FX Houdini FX is designed for VFX and Simulation artists. In this software, you will find fantastic tools to create Fire, Smoke, Crowd, etc. Features Pyro FX for fire and Smoke creation tools Water and Fluid creation tools Making particles Advance Destruction tools Fast cloth and hair creation tools Sands and Snow creation tools Crowd creation tools 5/17
B. Houdini Core Houdini core is designed for Modeling, Rigging, animator, and gaming artist. You will find greater modeling tools in this software. Features Procedural Modeling tools Direct modeling tools such as Boolean, bevel, and PolyFill Lighting and LookDev tools Animation and Rigging tools Grooming tools (Hair and Fur) Terrain Generation
C. Houdini Apprentice Houdini Apprentice is free 3D software for Student, educator, hobbyist, or who want to use Houdini in a personal project. For a commercial project, you need to buy Houdini FX.
D. Houdini Indie It’s divided into two software that name is Houdini indie and Houdini Indie Engine. Houdini Indie is Paid and Houdini Indie Engine is free. SidFx already shared the difference between these two software’s. Here is an answer from SideFX Houdini Indie lets you work interactively in the Houdini GUI, load Houdini Digital Assets into other apps using Houdini Engine plug-ins, and render with Mantra. Houdini Engine Indie does not let you use the Houdini GUI but does let you work at a command-line level, load Houdini Digital Assets into other apps using Houdini Engine plug-ins, and render with Mantra. By SideFx
6. Modo
Modo is a 3d modeling software to create 3d assets, animation, texturing, and rendering with a powerful toolset. 6/17
Feature Fast Direct Modeling Procedural Modeling Workflow Award-Winning Mesh Fusion Boolean Toolset Advanced Photo Realistic viewport Look Dev Generate Own Tools Unlimited Network Rendering Plugins Available
7. Blender
Blender is the best free 3d modeling software for beginners. It’s an open-source complete 3d Package for the artist. It’s free software but it contains mostly 3D tools that you found on any professional 3D Modeling software Some time ago, Blender is not popular like 3DS Max and Maya and Industry does not use this software. But now, Many new startups using Blender for their project Feature Cycle Rendering Impressive Blender Boolean Vast Modeling Toolset Inbuilt Sculpting Tools Rigging and Animation 2D Design with Grease Pencil VFX Tools with Motion Graphic Power Simulation tools such as Bullet and MantraFlow Pipeline Integration
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Video Editing, Scripting, and Fully Customised Interface Cloth Simulation
Best 3D Design Software 1. AutoCAD Autocad is a very popular CAD Software for 2D Drawing. If you are architecture, you already know about AutoCad but why I am talking here because you can do 3D Design with AutoCad also. If you are using AutoCAD older version then I must recommend installing the latest version now. Features Drawing History XREF Compare Blocks Platte Quick Measure Purge Redesign 2D Drafting and Annotation 3D Modeling and Visualization
2. SketchUp: 3D Design Software
Sketchup is 3D Design Software. You can visualize your idea with this amazing 3D design software. You can use SketchUp free for a personal project. Feature Visualize Idea by drawing by a hand
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Easy Building Process Many Extension Available 2D/3D Design
3. Revit for Architecture
Revit is the best 3d modeling software for Architecture. Whereas 3ds max is popular for Interiors design. If you want to become an architect or interior/Exterior designer, you need to learn 3ds Max and Autodesk Revit both. Feature Parametric Components Work Sharing Import / Export and Link your data Add-ins Annotation Dynamo for Revit Global Parameter Conceptual Design Tools Analysis with insight Architecture Modeling toolkit Point Cloud Tools 3d Design Quickly Create Multistory Building Cloud Rendering Physical and Analytic Reinforcement Detailing Structure Steel Modeling Structure Documentation BI- Directional Linking Concreate Fabrication Linking Structural Engineering Steel Fabrication Linking
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HVAC Design Electrical Design Plumbing Design MEP Fabrication Detailing Insight Integration Fabrication Service Conversation Construction Modeling BIM Support Import / Export 2D Sheet
Best 3D Sculpting Software 1. Zbrush ZBrush is the best Sculpting and 3D printing software for artists. It’s a very popular sculpting software because it’s easy and powerful sculpting tools such as Dyanmesh. With Dynamesh, you can create your Base Mesh directly in ZBrush. It also offers modeling tools. For 3D printing in Zbrush, you can follow this guide Feature Sculpt and Paint in Morph UV Xtractor Brush History Recall Move Infinite Depth Improved Polypainting and Texture Painting 3D Printing ready Real-time draft analysis Calculate Surface Area Cam Silhouette & Cam View Realtime Silhouette View Great Posing Tool Decorative Curve Brush Base Mesh Generation Sculptris Pro Dynamesh ZModelere ZRemesher Live Boolean ZSphere Mannequins High-Resolution mesh editing Surface Noise HD Geometry UVMaster
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BPR Rendering Environment Map support
2. Zbrush Core Zbrush Core is a lite version of ZBrush sculpting programs. If you are tight on budget, you can try Zbrush Core. It has a limited Sculpting Brush and Limited feature compared to Zbrush. If you are still confused about Zbrush and Zbrush Core, then read the below answer by Pixologic. ZBrushCore is our entry-level product while ZBrush is our professional product. Click here for a feature comparison chart. The most critical difference is that ZBrushCore does not support UV mapping and therefore cannot create or otherwise use color, displacement, or normal maps. By Pixologic
3. Mudbox Mudbox is a great digital sculpting software for beginners. Because in Mudbox, you can find only Sculpting tools. You can also use Mudbox for 3D printing Purposes. Feature Highly Advanced digital sculpting tools Paint Directly in 3D Model Advance Re Topology Tools Dynamic Tessellation Tool Integration Texture Baking Ptex Support
4. 3D Coat 3D Coat is a complete Industry Standard 3d package. It includes everything that you need such as PBR Texture, UV Mapping, Retopology, and Digital Sculpting tools. Feature Microvertex Per-Pixel Ptex Painting Realtime PBR Rendering 16K Texture Size Digital Sculpting 3D Printing Support Awesome Re Topology Tools 11/17
UV Mapping Tools
Best Texture Painting Software 1. Substance Painter
Substance Painter is an award-winning PBR Texturing software. It’s very good to texture a gaming modeling. I used Substance Painter mostly for my gaming project. You can use this awesome texture painting software in any type of project. Features Texture Baking Paint in 3D Real-Time Immersive Texture Effect Non Destructive Workflow Powerful Paint Engine Window / Linux/ Mac OS supported VFX Ready Smart Material and Smart Mask UV Reprojection UDIM Post Processing Subsurface Scattering IRay Rendered Plugins Custom Shader API Dynamic Material Layering Sparse Virtual Texture 12/17
8K Texture Particle and Dirt Brush All Major 3D Rendered and Game Engine Supported Texture
2. Substance Alchemist With Substance Alchemist, you can turn a simple 2D photo into a 3D Material within a second with just a few clicks. You can also remove the shadow from your 2D Photo with Substance Alchemis powerful tools. Here is a list of feature One-Click Generator Combine 3D Material 2D Photo to 3D Material Build Material Collection Material Blending Automatic Color Variation Single/Multi-Angle image to 3D Material Delighter / Remove Shadow Scatter Leaves / Pebbles Embedded Filter and Generator
3. Substance Designer Substance Designer is an industry-standard non-destructive and Node Based material creation software. If you want to become a Texturing Artist, you must learn Substance Designer. Here is some of the best feature of Substance Designer. Features:Everything in Control NON-Destructive Workflow Material Authoring Powerful Tools, Generator and Filters Procedural Creation Real-Time Rendering Ever Growing Library of Nodes 100% Procedural Noise RTX Accelerated Bakers HDR Lighting Creation Pipeline Automation Scripting API
4. MARI
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Mari is Great texturing Painting software. You can do a painting without limit in Mari. It’s used mostly for Movies because of High-Resolution support. Why use Mari Geo Channels Procedural Nodes A huge list of Pattern and Filters Artist Friendly Highest Quality Projection Painting Procedural Workflow NON – Destructive Layer Stack Node Graph Adjustment Layer and Mask PBR Texture Set Complex Geometry Handling Look Development Production Pipeline Integration OCIO Color Management Python API
Best Cloth Simulation Software 1. Marvelous Designer Marvelous Designer is a very good cloth simulation software. Cloth modeling is complicated in any 3d modeling or sculpting software. So we use cloth simulation to make clothing easy. You can build a realistic-looking cloth with this amazing cloth simulation software. You can look some of the feature here.
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Feature Faster Simulation Re Topology Half Pattern Syymentery Subdivision Mesh Mirror Creation 3D Environment Display Pattern Generation Simplest & Easy to Use Make any type of Cloth faster UV Guide Trace Physical Properties Easy Stitching Segment and Free Sewing
Stand Alone Retopology Software 1. Topogun
Topogun is the best retopology software. Maya has only Quad Draw tool but in Topogun, you will find a more useful tool for Retopology. Mostly artists Prefer Autodesk Maya for Retopology. But if you are using Topogun, You will love the TopoGun topology tools. Here are some feature below Feature Friendly Interface Best topology tools Friendly File format 15/17
32 Bit and 64 Bit available One Pass maps baking Subdivision Surface Support Morph Support
Realtime Rendering Software 1. Marmoset Toolbag
Marmoset Toolbag is a Realtime Rendering software. Its mostly used in the Gaming industry to faster rendering and see an real-time rendering. It also have an awesome baking , texturing and lighting option. Marmoset Toolbag is a must-have software for 3D artists. It’s available on Windows and Apple Mac platform. With Marmoset Toolbag, you can create a beautiful render for Your Portfolio and view your render result in any Browser.
Best Gaming Engine 1. Unity 3D Unity 3D is the most popular gaming engine. Its have a robust tool to create your own games with minimal effort. With Unity, you can create any type of game such as Mobile Games, PC Games, AR / VR Games, etc.
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Mostly Junior Artist thinks, Unity is developed for making games only. But you can do other things also with unity such as Automotive works, Film/Animation / Cinematic works, and Architecture / Engineering and Construction work.
2. Unreal Engine
It’s a powerful Game Engine for creating high quality games. Mostly artist recommended Unreal Engine than unity. It have everything that you need to create and publish games. Unreal Engine has the most powerful features such as Pipeline Integration, Simulation effect, Major Platform Support, Developer tools, etc.
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