Finding the right 3D modeling software for 3D printing is tough. That’s why we want to give you a complete overview about the best and most popular free 3D modeling software in this blog post. Classifying and benchmarking different 3D design program is a very complicated matter as everyone has.
The Best 3D Design Software for 3D Printing
DO YOU WANT TO LEARN HOW TO CREATE GREAT 3D DESIGNS FOR 3D PRINTING?
We've compiled a curated list of all the different design suites out there. The software suites listed on this page are used extensively in the world of 3D printing. Whether you are just starting out with CAD design, or are an experienced designer looking to take things to the next level, you'll find something to suit your needs on this page. Look out for a star to see the software recommended by MyMiniFactory. If there is software you use that is not on the list, please contact us.
Tinkercad is an easy-to-use 3D CAD design tool. Quickly turn your idea into a CAD model for a 3D printer with Tinkercad, and upload directly to MyMiniFactory!
Designed with Tinkercad
Video
Designed with Tinkercad
Video
Vectary
[Modeling]
Create, Share and Customize 3D Models Online. Free, browser-based 3D modeling tool and sharing platform.
Designed with Vectary
Video
Designed with Vectary
Video
Everything about 3D Slash is just easy to understand. Very intuitive, 'Minecraft' style 3D design tool. You can upload directly to MyMiniFactory from 3D Slash.
Designed with 3D Slash
Video
Designed with 3D Slash
Video
Autodesk Fusion 360
[Design]
It's the first 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool of its kind. It connects your entire product development in a single cloud-based platform that works on both Mac and PC.
Designed with Fusion360
Video
Designed with Fusion360
Video
New to the world of coding and design? Learn how to create 3D designs with this accessible web-based software.
Video
Video
Doodle3D
[Kids]
Doodle3D is a Kickstarter funded app for desktop and tablet. This fun and easy-to-use software will enable you to convert 2D pictures and drawings into 3D designs.
Video
Video
.net framework 3.5 won't install windows 10 from iso. Have fun designing 3D models and then share your creations with Gravity Sketch, a great tool for anyone wanting to experience Virtual Reality!
Designed with Gravity Sketch
Video
Designed with Gravity Sketch
Video
Leopoly
[Design]
Leopoly provides software solutions making it easy to step into VR, AR and 3D.
Video
Video
Oculus Medium is an immersive VR experience that lets you sculpt, model, paint, and create tangible objects in a VR environment.
Designed with Medium
Video
Designed with Medium
Video
Polybrush
[Modeling]
Great software for modeling, sculpting and 3D concept art, Polybrush is a powerful tool for artists.
Video
Video
Its main mission is to make 3D designing and printing accessible to everyone, from the beginner to the better CAD designer.
Designed with SelfCAD
Video
Designed with SelfCAD
Video
Windows 3D Builder
[3D]
3D Builder is Window's own journey into 3D. 3D Builder comes native to Windows 10 and includes an intuitive design tool as well as built in slicer.
Designed with Windows 3D Builder
Video
Designed with Windows 3D Builder
Video
Zotebook is an iPad interface to convert rough hand drawn sketches into precise drawings, and to export SVG and PDF for laser cutters, or STL for 3D printers.
Video
Video
3DC
[Design]
3DC is an easy-to-use 3D design software for mobile platforms. You can download it for free on the Apple Store and Google Play.
Video
Video
AB3DLabs develop software products enabling you to convert 2D drawings into 3D models, edit and draw 3D shapes, and import and export 3D objects.
Video
Video
ArchiCAD
[Architecture]
ARCHICAD 19 is one of the fastest and most enhanced 3D architectural software on the market.
Designed with ArchiCAD
Video
Designed with ArchiCAD
Video
AutoCAD software for 2D and 3D CAD is engineered for the future. Collaborate across desktop, cloud, and mobile. Includes AutoCAD 360 Pro.
Designed with AutoCAD
Video
Designed with AutoCAD
Video
Autodesk Inventor
[Animation]
Inventor mechanical design and 3D CAD software offers professional-grade 3D mechanical design, documentation, and product simulation tools.
Designed with Autodesk Inventor
Video
Designed with Autodesk Inventor
Video
Blender is the open source 3D creation suite. You can realise modeling, rigging, animation, rendering, motion tracking, video editing, game creation and so on.
Designed with Blender
Video
Designed with Blender
Video
BricsCAD
[Engineering]
Bricsys creates .dwg engineering design software with friendly licensing and industry leading support at a fair price.
Video
Video
CATIA is the World's Leading Solution for Product Design and Experience. It is used by leading organizations in multiple industries.
Designed with CATIA
Video
Designed with CATIA
Video
Creo Parametric
[Animation]
Creo is a family or suite of design software supporting product design for discrete manufacturers and is developed by PTC.
Designed with Creo Parametric
Video
Designed with Creo Parametric
Video
Cubik is a great tool for developers and artists to design cuboids, optimize voxels, combine both and share their creations.
Video
Video
DesignSpark Mechanical
[3D]
DesignSpark Mechanical aims to give every engineer the power to quickly design and change product concepts in 3D without having to learn complex traditional CAD software.
Figuro is an online 3D design tool for beginner- to intermediate designers. You can work with predefined shapes or create your own easily.
FreeCAD
[Modeling]
FreeCAD is a parametric tool to design real-life objects. Parametric modeling allows you to easily modify your design by going back into your model history.
Designed with FreeCAD
Video
Designed with FreeCAD
Video
The most comprehensive organic 3D tools. It combines touch-based 3D sculpting, surfacing, scan processing, interoperability, etc.
Designed with Geomagic FreeForm
Video
Designed with Geomagic FreeForm
Video
Geomagic Sculpt
[Sculpting]
Geomagic Sculpt™ is a simple, fast yet sophisticated precision voxel 3D sculpting and modeling software solution.
Video
Video
Makers Empire is a great way for kids to learn 3D design with more than a hundred lessons for beginners.
Video
Video
Makerscad
[Kids]
Makerscad is an easy-to-use software to learn computer programming, create 3D objects or even games!
Video
Video
Experience 3D design in virtual reality with MakeVR by Sixense, a unique way to give life to your ideas.
Designed with MakeVR
Video
Designed with MakeVR
Video
Meshmixer
[3D]
![Modeling Software For 3d Printing Modeling Software For 3d Printing](/uploads/1/2/4/8/124808351/773151667.png)
Meshmixer is an awesome free tool for remixing and customising 3D designs. The 'Swiss Army Knife' for 3D meshes.
Designed with Meshmixer
Video
Designed with Meshmixer
Video
Metasequoia 4 provides two editions; a Standard for beginners, and professional of 3D modeling.
Video
Video
Morphi
[Kids]
Morphi is an application that allows you to create designs for 3D Printing, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, animation and more, from your computer or tablet.
Video
Video
Onshape is the first full-cloud based 3D CAD system that lets everyone on a design team simultaneously work together via a web browser (phone or tablet).
Designed with Onshape
Video
Designed with Onshape
Video
OpenSCAD
[3D]
OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and Mac OS X.
Designed with OpensCAD
Video
Designed with OpensCAD
Video
Classic Paint has been reimagined, with an updated look and feel and a ton of new brushes and tools. And now, create in every dimension.
Photoshop CC
[Design]
Create and enhance your photos, images, 3D artwork, and more with Adobe Photoshop CC, the world's best imaging and photo editing software.
Video
Video
Rhinoceros is primarily a free form surface modeler. Rhinoceros' application architecture is modular and enables the user to customize the interface.
Designed with Rhino3D
Video
Designed with Rhino3D
Video
SculptGL
[Sculpting]
Program For 3d Printer
SculptGL is a small sculpting application powered by JavaScript and webGL.
Designed with SculptGL
Video
Designed with SculptGL
Video
Focus as an artist on pure creativity. Enter Sculptris, a fun and engaging way to start off your digital sculpting journey!
Designed with Sculptris
Video
Designed with Sculptris
Video
Shapr3D
[Design]
Shapr3D is an easy-to-use professional 3D CAD, running exclusively on an iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil.
Video
Video
SketchUp is 3D modeling software that's easy to learn and incredibly fun to use. Download SketchUp today for free and get started designing in 3D.
Designed with Sketchup
Video
Designed with Sketchup
Video
Solid Edge
[Design]
Solid Edge is a portfolio of affordable, easy-to-use software tools that address all aspects of the product development process.
Designed with Solid Edge
Video
Designed with Solid Edge
Video
Dassault Systems SOLIDWORKS Corp. develops and markets 3D CAD design software, analysis software, and product data management software.
Designed with SolidWorks
Video
Designed with SolidWorks
Video
Solidworks Apps for Kids
[Kids]
Solidworks Apps for Kids is an easy tool to discover the world of 3D design and experience new technologies.
SpaceClaim, the leading provider of 3D Modeling software, have developed on of the fastest ways to create, edit, and repair 3D models.
Video
Video
VectorWorks
[Design]
Vectorworks, Inc. 2D 3D CAD BIM software for Mac or Windows allows designers to transform the world. Project sharing makes it easy.
Video
Video
Voxelise simplifies the 3D modeling process using versatile little cubes called voxels.
Video
Video
Wings 3D
[Modeling]
Wings 3D is an advanced subdivision modeler that is both powerful and easy to use.
Video
Video
ZBrush is one of the world's leading 3D sculpting tools. A professional suite designed to allow the fluid creation of 3D sculptures.
Designed with ZBrush
Video
Designed with ZBrush
Video
Unlike the old days, when it was the geek-exclusive stuff, 3D Modeling has become way too simpler. There was a time when you needed high-end PCs and corresponding graphics hardware to design something and the UI of tools were way too complex as well. Now, thanks to the effort from developers and open-source guys, we have easier ways to do 3D Modeling.
Contents
- The Pro Review from TechreviewPro
What is 3D Modeling?
As some of you might know, 3D Modeling is the process of designing a 3-Dimensional shape, using the computer. 3D Modeling is often referred to as Computer Aided Design, commonly known as CAD. To design elements in 3D, there are various tools available, both professional and beginner-based ones.
And, now, with the stunning growth of 3D Printing and related technologies, you might also be interested in designing something in 3D, given that you have basic drawing skills. Also, you might need the help of 3D modeling software when you’re an animator, filmmaker, graphics designer etc.
Check:13 Best Android Camera Apps to Improve Android Camera’s Picture Quality
11 Best Free 3D Modeling Software for Beginners to Make 3D Printing Easier
If you’re a beginner, however, you need a well-designed, easy to use and affordable free software for 3D Modeling. In this post, we have a list of 11 best free 3D Modeling software for beginners out there. We hope it helps.
1. Blender
Blender is an open-source solution for 3D Modeling and many other designing-oriented purposes out there. It is one of the best free 3D modeling software having many powerful features that have gained attraction from both experts and beginners when it comes to CAD. The best part of the 3D modeling tool is that it can also be used for purposes like texturing, skinning, animating, many kinds of simulations, nonlinear editing etc.
Notable features of Blender include Photorealistic rendering technology, thanks to the powerful engine in use, faster modeling through the use of keyboard shortcuts and Python scripting, animation toolset that’s very useful etc. Also, the always-growing open-source community is awesome.
2. Sculptris
Sculptris from Pixologic is the choice of experts and beginners when the main focus is on 3D sculpturing as well as 3D modeling. User Interface of the tool is so simple that you can start sculpturing with it, right away and you would not have to look back. Pixologic has included some stunning features in the tool, by the way.
For instance, you can toggle the navigation method between ZBrush navigation or standard navigation. Similarly, you have a vast collection of plug-ins to choose when you want to enhance productivity. On top of all, the interface is the best-noted feature.
3. Autodesk 123D
Autodesk 123D is yet another best free 3D modeling software, which comes straight from Autodesk. As opposed to many of the 3D modeling tools, this one is dedicated for 3D Printing purposes and for beginners. Autodesk 123D Design will work fine with Windows, Mac, and iPad also. So it is also popularly known as the best free 3D modeling software for Mac.
The best part of Autodesk 123D Design is the minimal interface, which ANYONE can use. It is a powerful 3D drawing software as you can easily insert shapes you’d like to have, change them as you like and do whatever with basic drawing skills you have. Moreover, Autodesk 123D comes with a community, where you can showcase and check out 3D Modeling works.
4. SketchUp Make
Free Modeling Software For 3d Printing
SketchUp Make is one of the best 3D modeling software choice when we come to professional-level 3D Modeling, despite preferring sort of simple interface. Although SketchUp has a Pro version, both beginners and professionals find it quite easy to use it for various kinds of designing purposes. There are some extensive features as well.
For instance, it has a 3D Warehouse, from where you can have templates for designing 3 Dimension elements. At the same time, its Extension Warehouse is a great platform for extending productivity of the tool as per your needs. As it is a Ruby-based tool, you can be quite confident about stability of it.
5. OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD is the free 3D Modeling software you can have when you don’t mind coding everything. The tool may not have much toolbars or in-built features, but you have to code everything, through lines of codes. OpenSCAD is the best 3D modeling software for Linux, Windows and Mac OS X devices present out there.
As we said, it’s all about codes in OpenSCAD and the parameters you have to keep are available in a document that it is accompanied with. When you’re a coder and do not want to spend much time with tool selection and all, it’s one of the best choice for 3D modeling or 3D model maker.
6. AutoCAD
When you are a student of 3D Modeling, you can have the free version of AutoCAD, which offers support of 3 years. As you do know, AutoCAD has been trusted as one of the most effective solutions when it comes to Computer Aided Design. You can go with it, if your institution insists you to use the particular solution.
Of course, you have the options of stability, productivity and dazzling User Interface. From design feed to enhanced PDF, from Surface analysis to customizable UI, AutoCAD would be there to help you, right away. It’s a bit nicer for professionals, by the way.
7. K-3D
K-3D is yet another free-to-use and user-friendly 3D modeling solution that you can have as a beginner, who’s stepping into world of 3D Modeling. The tool comes with an interface that is similar to most of the Computer Aided Design tools out there in industry and this open-source tool rocks the stage.
Some features of K-3D include the power of flexibility, using which you can bring your designing experience into new level. Also, there’s a procedural and parametric workflow methods that help the designer to build a reliable type of environment. By the way, K-3D is available for both Windows and Mac OS X and you can have the source code.
8. DX Studio
DX Studio is a fully-fledged studio environment 3D Modeling solution, in which you get a lot of options. This tool has a set of professional features and yet is available as a freeware. Just like the case of Blender, DX Studio can be, at the same time, used for 3D modeling as well as real-time editing.
There’s a set of impressive features in DX Studio, such as the availability of special effects that you can use in project of yours, controls and various modules to suit different purposes, support for commonly-accepted formats, a good-level support from the community etc.
9. FreeCAD
FreeCAD comes with a variety of features such as the modular architecture, which is useful when it comes to adding productivity as per requirements, the support for standard formats like STEP, STL, DXF, SVG, IFC, OFF, etc, a Robot simulation module that can be effective as in case of robot movement studying etc.
In order to ensure the best experience, FreeCAD has a fully-fledged working environment as well. Furthermore, the UI is quite similar to industry-standard solutions like AutoCAD, despite being a completely free solution. Altogether, FreeCAD would be sufficient for both professional and personal purposes. The module-based structure is good for beginners, because they can choose what they need.
10. trueSpace
trueSpace is yet another fully-fledged solution that offers both 2D and 3D animating capabilities with 3D modeling, which you can depend upon. Although the tool has a seemingly-complex User Interface, you will be able to get used to it in a few days, at maximum. There are some productive features too.
For instance, it has a ‘Library’, where you can find objects that can be implemented in your design. At the same time, you can use the Face Animator section to model faces that are interactive. When compared to other 3D modeling tools in the list, this 3D modeler focuses on animation, instead of just modeling.
11. Tinkercad [Web-based]
Tinkercad is a minimalistic yet effective web based free 3D Modeling software you can get, given that you’re okay with a simple User Interface. As you can guess, the main purpose is to 3D print stuff you have designed and the tool comes with in-built association with 3D Printing services out there.
The best part of Tinkercad is that you can use it on any device, as it is based on HTML5. Yet, it has to be noted that it has satisfactory designing-based tools for professionals as well. In addition, features of the tool include availability of a huge collection shapes and designs, a stronger community etc, not to mention the tutorials.
Checkout :11 Best Media Players for Windows – Free + Paid
The Pro Review from TechreviewPro
So, we have listed out different kinds of best paid as well as free 3D Modeling software for beginners and choosing one from the list is up to your discretion and requirement. For instance, if you love coding and a bit more precision, you might be interested in going with OpenSCAD. But, on the other hand, 123D from Autodesk would be just-right for the typical beginner, for there are no technicalities whatsoever — You can just design, and bring it into print.
We hope the list of best free 3D modeling software for beginners will help those enthusiastic designers, especially those who have a 3D Printer with them. Use the comment section below to let us know, which is your favorite 3D modeling software ?