Commercial And Free 3D Modeling Software Reviews

3D Modeling Software Overview

3D modeling software is developed for creating and designing 3D model through polygon modeling, NURBS modeling and digital sculpting. Some 3D modeling software provides very detailed modeling through digital sculpting (digital sculpting is very popular for creating a realistic characters in film and 3D video game).

The software has been used widely by artists, designers, animators in film, television, video game industry. There are many 3D modeling software available on the market today. The following is list of both commercial and free of charge 3D modeling applications.

List of 3D Modeling Software (Commercial Package)

Autodesk Mudbox

Mudbox is high resolution brush-based 3D sculpting software for commercial modeling and design. With software user can create very detailed and realistic objects, characters.

Zbrush

It is very powerful in 3D tool for digital sculpting, and texturing that can be used to integrated with many other 3D design software like Maya, 3Ds Max. This software is popular one for digital artists. Zbrush is available for Windows and Macintosh platform.

solidThinking

solidThinking is not only a 3D modeling software, the software also provides render feature. With this 3D modeling tool, user can model through NURBS modeling, polygonal modeling or subdivision surfaces.

formZ

formZ is an general purpose solid and surface modeler with an extensive set of 2D/3D form manipulating and sculpting capabilities. The software is designed for architects, engineers, animators and illustrators, landscape architects, urban designers, industrial and interior designers.

AC3D

AC3D is a 3D modeling program which available for Windows, Macintosh and Linux user. AC3D is small software package with cheaper price than other 3D modeling packages.

Google SketchUp Pro

SketchUp Pro is simple and friendly user interface 3D modeling program. User can create 3D model for sketching. The software allows user draw whether by line, arc, freehand, rectangle, circle or polygon. SketchUp Pro is for anyone and has been used in education, game development, graphics arts, architecture and so on.

Grome Modeler

Grome is 3D modeling software which very good for ground modeling environment. User can texture and render in real-time. The software is available for two versions as standard and professional.

List of Free 3D Modeling Software

There is more than several 3D modeling software packages are provided for free of charge (most are open source packages). The following is list of them:

Art of Illusion

Art of Illusion is a free, open source 3D modeling and rendering studio that user can download and use for free of charge. Art of Illusion is available for three mains platforms, including Windows, Linux and Mac. Java is needed to install in the computer to runs program.

ShapeShop

ShapeShop is a free 3D modeling and design tool. The software is sketch-based shape creation and editing tool. User can create 3D model from sketch and put simple texturing. User can also have fun with this tool.

Misfit Model 3D

Misfit Model 3D is an OpenGL-based 3D model editor that works with triangle-based models. The software is available for Windows and Mac OS. User can get for free of charge and the software released under the GNU General Public License.

MeshLab

MeshLab is an open source and free of charge 3D modeling utility which use for processing and editing of unstructured 3D triangular meshes. The software contained useful feature like, mesh cleaning filters, remeshing filters, Interactive Mesh Painting and more.

TopMod3d

TopMod3d is an open source and portable topological mesh modeling system. User can download and use this 3d software for free of charge. The program is available for Windows and Mac OS.

Commercial Vs Free Modeling Software

Since commercial is need to purchase license and spend hundreds and even thousands of dollars while free modeling software is provided for free of charge. Free version has fewer features for making professional 3D modeling. The commercial one is widely used by professionals.

Other Solutions for 3D Modeling Software

The above software packages are mostly designed for 3D modeling. There are many larger software packages as 3D design software which not only contains 3D modeling solution but also have many other features for 3D design such as shading, animation, texturing, dynamics, lighting, rendering, and more (based on the packages). You can find more information on 3D Design Software page.