Jan 24, 2020 Best 3D Modeling Software of 2020 (Windows & MAC) Below, we have shared some of the best 3D Modeling softwares 2019 that you can use on your Windows and Mac computer. So, let’s check out the best 3D Modeling software 2019.
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The community of 3D printing and modeling may have become much larger in the past few years, but most 3D models shared online nowadays are limited to a few file formats. One of these file formats is STL. Despite its ubiquity, STL files are notoriously difficult to edit. Should you find yourself with an STL file format that you’d like to tweak and play around with, what software should you use? What exactly is the STL file format, and why is it so important?
What is the STL file format?
STL stands for “Stereolithography” and is considered one of the simplest 3D file formats. It’s also one of the oldest, developed in the 1980s and was originally meant to simplify the transfer of data from 3D CAD models to a 3D printer.
A characteristic of the STL file format, which makes it one of the simpler options, is that it approximates a 3D surface as a triangular mesh. Thus, instead of a truly smooth surface, an STL object is composed of a high number of very small, non-overlapping triangles. This technique is known as tessellation and is considered one of the oldest methods of simplifying a smooth surface in 3D space.
By increasing the number and decreasing the size of the triangles that form the tessellated pattern, the resolution of a 3D file in the STL format can be enhanced. Naturally, a file that holds a higher resolution model will be larger. However, the accuracy at which an STL file can approximate a surface will always be at a lower fidelity compared to file formats that represent 3D surfaces using smooth splines, such as OBJ.
What are the benefits of STL?3d Modeling Softwares For Mac 2017
The STL file format has been widely used for sharing of models within the 3D printing community. They may have limitations in terms of resolution and fidelity, but so do 3D printers. In fact, STL has become such a preferred file format that most 3D printers and slicer software used nowadays have been designed to work with STL files.
Since STL files are simple and have small file sizes, they are more easily shared and downloaded than other, high-fidelity alternatives. In most cases, users of 3D printers can just download a finished model off of file-sharing websites and print them at home. Beginners to 3D printing typically start this way before developing the skills to come up with their own models.
What are STL editors, and why use them?
While downloading finished models is certainly a quick and convenient way to get into 3D printing, some people may want to edit the features of a model to suit their needs. There could also be circumstances when you only need to print a part of a model. Not all models are perfect, so you may even find yourself needing to repair that model you just downloaded.
There are two different types of STL editing and modeling software. The first is based on CAD and is made for general 3D modeling. This technology has been the standard for industrial and professional 3D modeling and allows for extremely accurate measurement and modeling in 3D space. Since the resolution of 3D printers is limited, CAD software is considered overpowered for use in modeling for 3D printers. Thus, although CAD-based software platforms do an excellent job, editing STL files do not quite utilize the full potential of this type of software.
3D modeling software specially made for 3D printing are called mesh editing software. Instead of precise software representation, a mesh editing software instead reduces these objects into shells with no internal filling. This simplifies the modeling process, although the model can be quickly converted to solid objects right before printing. Within the 3D printing community, mesh editing software is considered more appropriate for STL editing.
The top 5 best free STL editors1. FreeCAD
FreeCAD is one of the most feature-rich CAD design software platforms. Best of all, the software is open source and completely free. FreeCAD uses parametric modeling principles and has been widely used by both professionals and beginners.
With FreeCAD, you can add features, make measurements, and separate components of an existing STL file. Since FreeCAD was originally meant for mechanical and engineering design, it allows for extremely fine and precise edits. However, it’s very difficult to use FreeCAD for sculpting, so smooth surfaces can be challenging.
Even if you don’t already have an existing STL file, you can still use FreeCAD to come up with your own 3D sketches and model them in 3D space. It does take some time to get used to the FreeCAD platform and to learn how to use its functions, but it’s not so difficult to be inaccessible for beginners. One major flaw of the open source platform of FreeCAD is that it can be full of bugs, although this could be easily remedied by sticking to the latest stable version.
3d Modeling Software For Mac Os X2. Blender
Blender is another free 3D printing software that is a little more sophisticated than FreeCAD. It has been touted as a software that can support the whole 3D design pipeline and is best suited for individual designers and small design firms. With a wide suite of excellent features, Blender has been used to for modeling, animation, video rendering, film and visual effects, and 3D simulation.
A huge part of why Blender has been able to extend its range of capabilities is that it’s completely community-driven. Users can introduce new features, make minor or major changes to the code, or implement bug fixes. Best of all, Blender is completely free, even if you use it for commercial purposes.
Although modeling is just one of the major functions of Blender, it has a very rich set of features. You can build your own models from 2D sketches or edit an existing STL file. Aside from the usual features, including STL repair, removal and addition of components, and partial masking of models, Blender has much more advanced sculpting capabilities. With twenty different brush types and dynamic sculpting, you can pretty much generate any type of smooth surface. You can grab and pinch areas, flatten sections, inflate and deflate a model, or sculpt the model like clay.
We wouldn’t classify Blender as beginner-friendly, but its learning curve is pretty friendly. With so many features, it will take some time before you can unlock the full potential of Blender. As far as 3D printing software go, Blender is one of the most comprehensive.
3. SketchUp
The SketchUp software platform, which used to be owned by Google, is now with Trimble but still retains the user-friendly characteristic for which it became famous for. You have the option of downloading the free SketchUp Make version or upgrading to the paid SketchUp Pro version. The good news is that you can use the free version to edit STL files, but you’ll need to make sure to download and install the SketchUp STL plugin first.
The simplicity of SketchUp is its strong suit. It’s very easy to learn, and its interface will feel familiar to anyone who’s ever used a graphic design program. However, this ease-of-use comes at the price of a limited feature set. The STL editing capabilities of SketchUp are pretty much limited to dragging edges and vertices and adding or deleting individual triangles. It has no built-in STL repair function, but you can still do it manually by using the Solid Inspector tool and correcting any hitches yourself.
Despite the limited features of SketchUp, it remains one of the most widely used 3D design software worldwide. It’s highly recommended for beginners. Even people with no 3D modeling experience can learn the fundamentals of SketchUp within a few minutes.
4. MeshLab
MeshLab, as its name implies, is a software platform for editing 3D triangular meshes. It’s also open source, which helps give it a rich set of functions and features. If you need modeling software specifically for 3D printing, MeshLab is one of the best options for editing, cleaning, rendering, and texturing mesh-based models.
You will need an existing STL file to make the most use out of MeshLab. It can combine different meshes of a 3D scan, remove parts of an existing, and automatically repair a 3D model. However, it cannot be used to build your own models from scratch. You can also simplify the triangular faces of a model, thereby reducing geometry complexity for easier file sharing.
MeshLab isn’t exceptionally user-friendly, but their website has several tutorials that can help get you started. They also have a dedicated community of developers that can provide support if you need bug fixes or if you just have any general questions or clarifications.
5. MeshMixer
In the field of free mesh editing programs, few can equal the quality of MeshMixer. Aside from having a huge set of the necessary mesh editing features, MeshMixer is also very user-friendly. It even has a built-in slicer tool so you can prepare your model for printing and send it directly to your 3D printer via MeshMixer.
The development team behind MeshMixer calls it the “Swiss Army knife” of 3D meshes. It does have just about everything you need, so we’re inclined to agree. You can combine meshes, drag edges and vertices, make measurements, smooth meshes, and even do free-form sculpting. The software comes with a couple of automated features that can help identify problems with your STL file such as holes, misaligned surface, and paper-thin walls.
By combining ease-of-use and an impressive array of features, MeshMixer is considered by many to be the best free mesh editing software. It’s only available for Windows and Mac, though, so Linux users will have to look elsewhere.
Final thoughts
If you’ve gotten into 3D printing, then you probably have dozens to hundreds of STL files lying around in your computer. While printing them as they were modeled originally is fine, the next logical step you need to take is to learn how to edit existing models. This is best done with an STL editor. If you’re still a beginner, then we recommend starting with an STL editor that you can download for free.
As you can see from our list of the best free STL editors, being free for use has not hindered these software platforms from having excellent quality. With impressive features and intelligently designed interfaces, it’s almost unbelievable that they are free.
Warning; 3D printers should never be left unattended. They can pose a firesafety hazard.
It is mind-boggling to witness that the skip from 2D to 3D is opening up so many new arenas and possibilities in the digital world. After all, recreating the world on a computer, just the way we see it is a big deal. 3D modeling software makes this task easier. If you are a 2D designer looking to venture into the new realm of 3D or an already established 3D designer who is searching for more fuel for his creative engines, this list of the best 3D modeling software will definitely help you. Before jumping to that though, here is a gist of what a basic 3D modeling program is.
What is 3D Modeling Software?
3D modeling is a mathematical method of creating designs in the virtual three dimensions (height/depth, length, and breadth) and a 3D modeling program helps one do that in an efficient and user-friendly way. 3D modeling attempts to recreate some real-world entity, or a blueprint for a future structure, or even a work of art. With 3D software, the possibilities are infinite. Nowadays, 3D modeling is used in diverse fields like medicine, architecture, entertainment, etc.
Like any trending product or service, the internet offers a vast variety of 3D modeling programs, both free and paid. Selecting the right 3D software can be a little challenging, but we’ll give it our best shot. Let’s go.
Best Free 3D Modeling SoftwaresBlender
Blender is an open source (free, and anyone can contribute to its code to make it better) 3D modeling software which is an excellent alternative to its paid brethren. Like any open source software, Blender has a large community of developers, artists, and designers who are always willing to help. Blender, a free 3D modeling software for Mac, works on Windows and Linux as well. If you are looking to enter the amazing world of 3D modeling, Blender is a great choice; it has impressive toolset capabilities, and the support is strong. However, this free 3D program is a little non-conventional, and jumping from Blender to other paid 3D design programs might take a little getting used to.
MakeHuman
Another one picked ripe from the basket of the best free 3D modeling software, MakeHuman targets a particular use case; character design (as the name suggests). Just like Blender, MakeHuman is one of the best 3D modeling software for beginners. Its simple UI/UX is easy to grasp, and the tools are also not very complicated to use. You can use MakeHuman to create beginner projects and small modules as a precursor to future, more complex endeavors. It's a great community of developers backing it up and a very responsive forum portal where getting support is quick and fruitful.
Autodesk Maya
The Autodesk Maya is a strong, robust, and versatile 3D program which offers a 30 day free trial (hence in the free section). If you are looking for 3D modeling software for beginners, Autodesk Maya presents an excellent opportunity to work on an actual professional platform. You cannot publish any of the projects commercially that you create in these 30 days, but you can sharpen your skills. It also has a student’s license for learners and enthusiasts who are just beginning to take an interest in the world of 3D designing.
SketchupFree
It’s free, says the title; this 3D modeling program is one of the most versatile free software on the internet, compatible with almost all the operating systems (great for both windows and mac users, even Chromebook). It is simple to understand and easy to use. SketchupFree is ideal for interior designers and home furnishers. This 3D software avoids the shenanigans of rigging and UV maps, which is terrific if you are just focused on completing your job quickly and correctly. It has paid versions (shop, pro, and studio) as well, which bulk up the functionalities of the toolkit that comes with it. Check for this 3D modeling software online to know more.
Houdini Apprentice
Houdini Apprentice is the free version of the popular and award-winning program, Houdini FX. Ideal for people who practice 3D designer as a hobby or are learning this wonderful art. Also, what is great is that the free version has all the features of the paid version, except the capability of publishing your designs on a commercial platform. One of the most powerful tools on this list, the Houdini Apprentice is an amazing program to learn the tricks of the trade without shelling the big bucks. Thanks to the generous developers!
OpenSCAD
There is no denying that digital 3D modeling requires a lot of creative prowess, but the fact that it is based on mathematical algorithms cannot be neglected. OpenSCAD is one such free 3D modeling software that focuses more on the technical area of 3D modeling rather than the creative portion. It is an ideal designing tool for creating digital models which are meant to be 3D printed later; toys, small gadgets, handy utilities, etc. can all be created using this 3D modeling program. OpenSCAD is also versatile and runs on all major operating systems like Mac, Windows, and Linux.
FreeCAD
Another open source 3D modeling software, which is still in its development phase is the FreeCAD. However, the features that it currently has is enough to develop stunning 3D designs and models. The primary arena where FreeCAD dominates over its competitors is its ability to create elaborate and complex shapes with ease, based on properties and relations to other shapes. If you are familiar with Object Oriented Programming, FreeCAD has a lot of relatability with it. It is a visual representation of objects and their attributes and how these objects interact with other objects. This may all sound a little technical, but it all takes a little getting used to.
Vue
It is amazing that all there are so many 3D modeling programs available in the market, both paid and free, an all of them have some advantage over the other. Vue is miles ahead of the other 3D modeling program when it comes to designing landscapes. With tons of features to give your designs a glamorous look, Vue comes with a paid version as well. With the free version, all your designs will have a watermark, and these designs won’t be used commercially. However, Vue is a software for those who are interested in creating beautiful sceneries, which look almost as good as the real world.
Sculptris
Like we mentioned before, each of these 3D software has some cutting edge features, which makes them better than the rest in some area of expertise. Sculptris, as its name suggests, is ideal for developing digital sculptures. It is easy to learn and use. After a few minutes of tutorial and practice, you can start designing faces and characters. Sculptris is one of the best free 3D modeling software for beginners that are out there. After learning this tool, you can start using ZBrush, the paid 3D modeling program by the same developers to create some mind-blowing sculptures and character prototypes.
Daz Studio
Daz Studio is one such free 3D program that has a huge pool of tools and functionalities. The software is free for all, but some of the utilities are paid. The marketplace is full of content which you can use free of cost. With Daz Studio, 3D modeling, animating, and rendering becomes a lot easier. For software which is so rich in capabilities, it has a reasonably easy UI. Whatever you create with this easy 3D modeling software is owned only by you, royalty free! It is a highly robust program which requires only 1 GB of RAM to run. However, a RAM of more than 2 GB is recommended for optimum performance.
TinkerCAD
TinkerCAD is one of the most versatile free 3D software; it is a browser-based tool, which makes it highly accessible. Developed by the giants in 3D modeling, Autodesk, it is a beginners’ software which is ideal for learning the tricks of the trade. Many 3D designing teachers prefer using TinkerCAD because of its versatility and its simple UI. It also has an excellent support team and generous contributors who make it better to use every day. If you want to create designs quickly and efficiently, TinkerCAD is a great choice.
Leopoly
Leopoly is a 3D modeling software engineered by Hungarian developers keeping in mind ease of use and robustness. It offers various plans, both paid and unpaid, and has a vast client base to show off. The free version is ideal for students and newbies who are just gaining interest in the enormous realm of 3D designing. Just like TinkerCAD, Leopoly is an online 3D modeling program that runs on browsers. It makes VR modeling and texture designing very simple and uncomplicated.
NanoCAD
NanoCAD is a Windows-only free 3D modeling program for users who are looking for a free counterpart of AutoCAD. It also has a paid version which bolsters the functionalities offered by the free version. One of the best features of this free program is that it allows you to view your previous changes and work on them to create other projects (much like branching in Github). NanoCAD is ideal for designers who pursue this art as a hobby or a side interest. Also, it is great for students who can’t afford AutoCAD; the only downside is that this drawing program is not available for Mac users.
MeshMixer
Meshmixer is another software belonging to the Autodesk lineage. Unlike most of the software on this list, this free 3D modeling software is used over pre-designed projects. MeshMixer offers incredible flexibility in working with animations, texture designing, hollowing, etc. It makes your designs better and improves its quality. Available for both Mac and Windows, the MeshMixer requires a low system configuration to run. It has an almost negligible learning curve and has a great responsive UI. Excels in designing 3D meshes (the skeleton for 3D designs). You can check their website for the different use cases where this 3D drawing program is applicable.
Best Paid 3D Modeling SoftwaresZBrush
ZBrush appears first in the list of paid 3D modeling software only because of its capability of creating a stunning quality of 3D designs which are ideal for 3D printing. As you will go down the list, you will find many software which matches or are better than ZBrush in terms of toolsets and ease of use; however, the fact mentioned above makes it a prevalent choice among artists who want to print their designs in high-quality materials. It is a bit on the expensive side and is more robust to learn that many software that appears on this list, but most of the times if the output is good, it is worth spending the money and the effort.
Autodesk 3ds Max
This 3D modeling software is one of the best choices for Windows operating system. It boasts of a vast pool of tools and is comparatively easy to learn than its counterparts. The 3ds Max is moderate in price with a subscription model backing its payment structure. Since its free version offers a 30 day trial period, it is easier for amateurs to jump to this paid version, making it very popular amongst new paying users. The Achilles heel of this 3D modeling tool is that it is only available for Windows. A huge loss for Mac users, since it is one of the best tools in this list.
Modo
The Modo developed by Foundry is a versatile and powerful 3D modeling program that makes texturing and rendering very easy. Modo is developed around the idea that speed and efficiency are paramount while creating 3D designs. Therefore, Foundry has made considerable efforts to reduce technical glitches and obstacles as much as possible. As mentioned before, it is very easy to learn as compared to Maya and ZBrush. Modo is excellent at creating medium level designs, but working with extensive projects becomes complicated. Also, the toolset needs a little work if it needs to reach the level of the giants in the 3D modeling software business.
Autodesk Maya
The paid version of the same software that you saw in the free section of this blog, Autodesk Maya, is the best 3D modeling software hands down. It has an immense brand value attached to it, and it boasts of a stellar user base. Yes. Pixar uses this 3D modeling program. However, the price tag is a bit hefty, which does cut down on some potential users. Autodesk Maya has been added with amazing functionalities over the past few years, making it cross its competitors in terms of revenue and clientele. If you are serious about making 3D designing into a career, or if you are already a professional and want to add that X factor to your resume, Autodesk Maya should be your first choice, hands down!
Autodesk Mudbox
Mudbox is another fantastic product by Autodesk. It is simple to use when compared to Maya and is ideal for 3D editing and sculpting. To add animations and other features, you will need additional software. It is a great add on tool to learn though. It is a versatile tool that runs on Linux based operating systems, Mac systems, as well as on Windows. It is a heavy software requiring 4GB RAM and runs smoothly on 8GB of RAM. Use Mudbox as a complementary tool to other 3D modeling software, and you will not regret it.
Houdini
Houdini is another excellent 3D program that is in the market at the moment. Many established corporate designers use Houdini to serve their clients. Just like other industry giants, Houdini is hard to learn and is a little harsh on the wallet. But the designs created are on another level. You can visit their official website to view their glistening portfolio. It offers more flexibility of controls than the Autodesk Maya and uses different algorithms for animations and rendering (node-based procedural). With a little bit of patience and a strong will, Houdini won’t take long to be mastered and staying true to its name, after learning Houdini, you will become a magician in the field of 3D designing.
Cinema 4D
With you are more inclined toward 3D motion graphics, Cinema 4D is the software for you. It has a huge price attached to it though, so make sure your requirements match the capabilities this 3D modeling software offers. They do offer a free trial of around 40 days that will help you in making this decision. Once you start using the Cinema 4D, you will find that the learning curve attached to it is pretty undemanding and simplistic. It requires 4GB of RAM and a graphics card for smooth running and is available for Mac, Linux, and Windows operating systems.
Rhinoceros
Strength and robustness radiate from the name of this 3D modeling program, which is also very versatile when it comes to operating systems and CPU specifications. Rhinoceros focuses on creating unhindered designing with its easy to learn tools and add-ons. As mentioned before, the rendering is smooth and does not slow down the system, which ideal for complex animations and morphing 3D designs. It comes with a 90 days trial version, after which you have to pay some bucks to continue using the software. The price is a bit high, but this 3D modeling platform deserves a tryout.
Substance Designer
One of the cheapest paid 3D modeling software in the list, Substance Designer focuses on creating realistic textures. All its gadgets are engineered, keeping texturing and skinning in mind. You can use this software as a precursor to the other software in this list because indeed, the capabilities as mentioned above offered by Substance Designer are beyond par. It is one of those 3D modeling programs which are easy to learn and that create outputs quickly. Another strong point of Substance Designer is material authoring (creating different materials with a variety of textures, attributes, and properties; used as a base for other 3D models).
Revit
Revit is paid 3D modeling software developed by Autodesk. It specializes in 3D architectural design and structural engineering. It is priced a little higher than the other architectural tools but is worth it. The technical support is impressive, and the software comes with a 30-day money back guarantee. There are a lot of online tutorials and educational content available with Revit, which is great for architectural students. It is easy to share your work with team members, and the rendering features are also very efficient. Like all Autodesk products, Revit radiates quality and robustness in its operations and results. A fantastic pick for both students and industry professionals, this epitome of 3D software runs smoothly on both Mac and Windows.
SelfCAD
This is another great program released just recently. It is an online 3D modeling software that is meant for both beginners and professionals in 3D modeling. SelfCAD has a simple and intuitive interface, which makes it easier for one to get started. It is the only program that has combined technical, artistic, and 3D printing tools in one application. In addition to that, one can also animate their designs in the program using the animation feature. SelfCAD’s in-built slicer allows you to slice your designs to generate the G-Code that you can send to your printer. There are many Youtube tutorials on Youtube and on the tutorial section of their website to help one get started quickly. SelfCAD has both free and paid options. With the free account, one has access to all the tools, but you can’t export your designs.
AutoCAD
One of the most widely used 3D modeling software in both institutions and corporates, AutoCAD, is a versatile and powerful tool for creating blueprints for buildings and architectural designs. AutoCAD has a plethora of online tutorials and walkthroughs, which makes it a students’ favorite. With its state of the art toolset and efficient rendering algorithms, AutoCAD is the best of its kind. It works great on both Mac and Windows and guarantees a glitch-free user experience. AutoCAD skills are considered as a prerequisite for many civil engineers who are applying for construction and architecture firms.
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Related: You may check out open source alternatives to AutoCAD
OnShape
OnShape offers a central workspace where different team members can collaborate to create stunning 3D models. Professionals and corporate employees prefer using OnShape for their fantastic project management capabilities. Apart from this, OnShape is a 3D modeling software that works on a cloud-based SaaS model. It has a central repository which can have branches, very similar to the programming repositories like Github. It works on both Mac and Windows and is not so harsh on the budget. It has a free version too, but it does not offer many features.
Poser
Poser revolves around designing human faces and characters using algorithms that help in rapid designing via changing a ‘base figure.’ Not only can you create human characters, but you can also design backgrounds importing huge materials. A poser is an independent tool that is enough to cater to all your requirements from A to Z. Like the other software in this list, you can work with cr2, pz2, and obj formats with ease. Renderosity is Poser's official marketplace.
Conclusion
We know that picking just the right software is a tough decision, especially when the prices are so high. But trust us, the money is worth the results. 3D modeling is an art on its own, which requires a highly creative approach from the artist. Along with this, a sound technical mind is also necessary. Some of the 3D modeling software (mostly the free ones) in this list will help you start this incredible journey. Once you get the hang of it, you can judge on your own and choose which software is compatible with your working style, which satiates all your requirements, and most importantly, gives the best results. Happy designing!
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3d Modeling Softwares For Mac FreeDisclaimer: The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the final product. All images are copyright to their respective owners.Free Software For Mac
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