Best 3D modeling software in 2024

Another popular solution from the same software family is Autodesk 3ds Max – a great choice if you’re looking for a beginner-level yet professional 3D modeling solution. Designed only for Windows, 3dx Max provides a comprehensive modeling, animation, simulation, and rendering package for design visualization, architecture, games, films, and animation.

Users choose 3dx Max for its simplicity and ease of use, which is why the learning curve is fairly gradual compared to Maya. Despite its relative ease of use, you'll be hard-pressed to find any other 3D modeling software with as many video tutorials, online courses, and third-party extensions. This is why it’s amazing software if you’re just getting started with 3D modeling!

If your preferred method of 3D modeling is starting with a 3D scan of something from the real world, you should definitely give Artec Studio a go (paired with one of Artec 3D’s scanners, of course!). This powerful software suite for 3D scanning and data processing features advanced 3D data algorithms that make using Artec scanners rapid, accurate, and intuitive to use.

For new 3D scanning users, Artec Studio’s autopilot automatically chooses the right processing algorithms and settings to deliver the best possible results. Want to 3D model a massive object or area in high detail? Multi-resolution fusion allows multiple scans to be combined in a single click, so even complete novices can design with the best possible data straight away.

In addition to scan editing tools like hole repair, texture-filling, and scan decimation, more advanced users can also tidy up meshes with features like automatic glare removal. This automatically identifies which frames have glare by analyzing frames shot from different angles, and then takes them out of the calculation, resulting in uniform colored textures.

Another useful feature is dynamic auto-brightness, which automatically tailors brightness to an optimal level, both during scan preview and 3D data capture. Once processed in Artec Studio to form a final mesh, the model can be exported in any popular 3D format to other modeling software for further editing.

Artec Studio is available for Windows OS and can be purchased as a lifetime license, or an annual subscription. There is a trial version you can test for 30 days at no cost.

The last software on our list is Geomagic Freeform by 3D Systems – a multi-purpose 3D sculpting program for designing complex, organic shapes and preparing them for 3D printing, or mold and die manufacturing. What makes Freeform stand out from the crowd of other sculpting solutions is its hybrid workflow using 3D Systems’ special touch-based haptic devices (Touch or Touch X) which bring a user the real sensation of clay sculpting in a digital environment. This not only delivers freedom of motion for the user, but it also makes the design process more intuitive and effortless.

In addition, Geomagic Freeform supports the import of CAD and 3D scan data that can be further modified or combined with organically sculpted features, and prepared for production and printing. In fact, if you have an Artec 3D scanner, you can capture real-life objects in 3D directly within Freeform, then incorporate them into existing shapes and designs. Some advanced tools of Freeform include 3D data repair, automatic conversion of digital clay and polygons to NURBS surfaces, mold and die design, shelling, draft analysis, as well as parting line and surface creation tools for complex organic shapes. Such a mixture of functionality makes the software applicable for a wide range of fields including product design, CGI, healthcare, orthopedics, and many others.

Geomagic Freeform is now marketed by 3D Systems’ software subsidiary Oqton in the shape of free trial, professional, and Freeform Plus licenses, with pricing available on request.

One more open-source 3D modeling freeware well-suited for beginners is Wings 3D. It provides all the basic modeling tools like move, scale, rotate, extrude, cut, weld, bevel, and bridge, as well as some of the more advanced tools like sweep, plane cut, intersect, inset, bend, circularize, and shear. The AutoUV tool allows you to map the textures to your models, and export them for painting and further texturing. There are also tweaking and sculpting capabilities for even more detailed modeling.

Like Blender, Wings 3D requires some time for you to learn all the ins and outs, and also has a developed community of users whom you can connect with to help accelerate your learning.

The program has been localized to 15 languages and can be downloaded for free.

The last software on this list, and another killer multi-purpose software for professional 3D modeling, animation, simulation, and rendering, is Cinema 4D by Maxon. The software is widely used by computer graphics artists, designers, and animators for motion graphics, VFX, AR/MR/VR, design, game development, and all types of visualization.

Cinema 4D offers a wide range of advanced yet easy-to-use character animation tools and features to create life-like characters, as well as lots of rig presets to quicken your animation workflow. It also features MoGraph, an award-winning procedural modeling and animation toolset that provides motion designers with the ability to quickly and easily create complex and abstract animations. Professionals like Cinema 4D for its wide functionality and versatility, and amateurs – for its friendly, intuitive interface.

The software has a huge community of users and offers thousands of tutorials and how-tos on their training portal, as well as weekly and monthly webinars hosted by Maxon’s training team.

Cinema 4D is available both for perpetual use and by subscription, and has a free trial and lower-cost education license for teachers and students.