The number and variety of 3D software packages on the market is staggering, but many of the top applications in use by commercial film, gaming, and effects studios cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
It's true that most commercial applications offer time-limited free trials or abbreviated learning editions for students and hobbyists. If you're planning to work in the computer graphics industry one day, these are well worth exploring even if you can't afford a full license, because your skills in the commercial packages are what will ultimately land you a job.
However, plenty of free 3D software suites are out there for hobbyists, independent filmmakers who don't have the budget for expensive software, and budget-conscious freelance professionals who have found all the tools and power they need in cost-free solutions like Blender or SketchUp.
Just because the software is free doesn't necessarily make it any less valuable. This list isn't exhaustive. There are dozens of other free 3D tools available beyond those mentioned here. However, these are the strongest of the bunch.
Interface vastly improved over early versions.
Great for video games and animation.
Nearly on par with expensive professional 3D modeling programs.
Less useful in designing architecture and objects like furniture.
Heavy use of shortcuts to execute commands can be daunting for new users learning the software.
Blender is easily the most versatile entry on this list, and in many regards, it compares favorably to top digital content creation tools like Cinema 4D, Maya, and 3Ds Max. To this day, it stands as one of the greatest open-source development projects ever conceived.
Blender is full-featured, offering a complete range of modeling, surfacing, sculpting, painting, animation, and rendering tools.
The software is good enough to have produced numerous impressive short films and is in use by several professional studios.
Blender was criticized early on for having a confusing interface, but don't let outdated complaints steer you away. The software was given a thorough overhaul recently and emerged with a fresh interface and a feature set that aims for parity with the best.
While you don't see Blender in any Hollywood effects pipelines where Autodesk and Houdini are deeply ingrained, Blender has steadily carved out a niche in motion graphics and visualization, similar to where Cinema 4D excels.
Makes quick editing easy.
Excellent tool for learning the art.
Users can transition to ZBrush without a difficult learning curve.
Rendering can be slow at times.
Lacks some useful tools and features found in other software.
Sculptris is a digital sculpting application similar to ZBrush or Mudbox, but with an easier learning curve. Because Sculptris uses dynamic tessellation, it is essentially geometry-independent, meaning it is an ideal learning package for someone with few or no modeling skills who wants to try his hand at sculpting. Sculptris was originally developed independently by Tomas Pettersson, but is now owned and maintained by Pixologic as a free counterpart to ZBrush. Sculptris is aimed at beginners. The website offers video tutorials and an assurance that the skills you learn in Sculptris easily translate to ZBrush.
Great for architectural modeling.
Large library of models available.
Interface may be a challenge for new users to get used to.
Importing 3D models created in other programs can sometimes be a problem.
SketchUp is an intuitive and accessible modeler, originally developed by Google and now owned by Trimble. SketchUp excels at practical and architectural design and probably has more in common with a CAD package than traditional surface modelers like Maya and Max.
Like Blender, SketchUp has been amazingly well received and has gradually carved out a niche with professionals in the visualization field due to its ease of use and speed.
The software has little in the way of organic modeling tools, but if your primary interest is in architectural modeling, SketchUp is an excellent starting point. You begin by drawing lines and shapes and then stretch and copy them to make whatever you like. You don't have to draw everything, though. SketchUp offers an enormous library of free 3D models to get you started — search the 3D Warehouse for what you need.
Good tool for learning 3D modeling basics that help in professional grade software packages.
Supports many other 3D file formats.
Doesn't offer features beyond the basics.
No animations.
Wings is a straightforward open-source subdivision surface modeler, which means it has similar modeling capabilities to Maya and Max but none of their other functions.
Because Wings uses traditional (standard) polygon modeling techniques, everything you learn here is applicable in other content-creation packages, making this an ideal starting point for anyone looking to learn how to model for animation, film, and games.
Easy-to-learn interface.
Design tools are online—no software to download.
Doesn't fare well with very complex designs.
Requires an internet connection.
Tinkercad is an impressive suite of free, lightweight 3D tools offered by Autodesk as an easy entry point into the world of 3D. Autodesk develops five different applications under the Tinkercad banner, including modeling and sculpting apps, an iPad based creature designer, and a tool to assist with fabrication and 3D printing.
In a way, Tinkercad is AutoDesk's answer to Sculptris and Sketchup and is meant to interest beginners in 3D without the tremendous learning curve of their Autodesk's flagship applications: CAD, Maya, Max, and Mudbox.
Includes lots of props and models to use.
Strong in animation, image, and film creation tasks.
Limited sculpting, modeling, and surfacing tools; easier to create new models in other 3D software and import for use.
Daz Studio is an image creation tool that comes with a wealth of characters, props, creatures, and buildings that you can arrange and animate to create still images or short films. The software is primarily meant for users who want to create 3D images or films without the overhead of creating all their models and textures by hand.
The software's animation and rendering toolset is fairly robust, and in the right hands, users can create impressive shots. However, without a full range of modeling, surfacing, or sculpting tools built in, your content can become limited unless you're willing to buy 3D assets in the Daz marketplace or create them yourself with a third-party modeling package.
Still, it's a great piece of software for people who just want to jump in and create a 3D image or film without a whole lot of overhead.
Create impressive fractal objects and scenes.
You can begin by simply playing around with formulas and seeing what you get.
The website offers downloadable examples to experiment with.
Takes some time to acclimate to this software.
Interface is overwhelming at first and not as intuitive as other 3D software.
If you're interested in fractals, Mandelbulb 3D should be right up your alley. The application certainly takes some getting used to, but the result is stellar once you know what you're doing. The 3D fractal environment includes color, lighting, specularity, depth-of-field, and shadow and flow effects used to generate amazing fractal objects. If the concept of fractals is Greek to you, visit the featured artists' section of the Mandelbulb website to see the types of things you can do with this software.
Free top-tier 3D design software if used only non-commercially.
Powerful and feature-rich software tools that are industry standards.
Steep learning curve when starting to use these complex software packages.
Software can have hefty system requirements and be resource intensive.
Autodesk offers virtually its entire software line free for non-commercial use to 'students and community members.' However, you don't have to be enrolled in a school to download them. If you want to work in the industry eventually, knowing Autodesk software is a valuable skill, so this is a highly recommended path. The only limitation is that you can't use any of the software in commercial projects. Among the educational downloads are 3DS Max, Maya, Inventor Professional, and AutoCAD.
Original author(s) | @Last Software, Google | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Developer(s) | Trimble Inc.[1] | ||||||
Initial release | August 2000; 18 years ago | ||||||
Stable release(s) | |||||||
January 5, 2019; 4 months ago[2] | |||||||
Operating system | Windows 7 and later OS X 10.9 and later[3] | ||||||
Available in | English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) | ||||||
Type | 3D computer graphics | ||||||
License | Freemium | ||||||
Website | www.sketchup.com |
SketchUp, formerly Google Sketchup, is a 3D modelingcomputer program for a wide range of drawing applications such as architectural, interior design, landscape architecture, civil and mechanical engineering, film and video game design. It is available as a web-based application, SketchUp Free,[4] a freeware version, SketchUp Make,[5][6][7] and a paid version with additional functionality, SketchUp Pro.[8]
SketchUp is owned by Trimble Inc.,[1][9] a mapping, surveying and navigation equipment company.[10] There is an online library of free model assemblies (e.g. windows, doors, automobiles), 3D Warehouse, to which users may contribute models. Dilwale dulhania le jayenge putlocker. The program includes drawing layout functionality, allows surface rendering in variable 'styles', supports third-party 'plug-in' programs hosted on a site called Extension Warehouse to provide other capabilities (e.g. near photo-realistic rendering) and enables placement of its models within Google Earth.[11]
SketchUp was developed by startup company @Last Software of Boulder, Colorado, co-founded in 1999 by Brad Schell and Joe Esch.[12][13]
SketchUp debuted in August 2000 as a general-purpose 3D content creation tool and was envisioned as a software program 'that would allow design professionals to draw the way they want by emulating the feel and freedom of working with pen and paper in a simple and elegant interface, that would be fun to use and easy to learn and that would be used by designers to play with their designs in a way that is not possible with traditional design software. It also has user friendly buttons to make it easier to use.'[3]
The program won a Community Choice Award at its first tradeshow in 2000.[14]
Google acquired @Last Software on March 14, 2006 for an undisclosed sum,[15] attracted by @Last Software's work developing a plugin for Google Earth.
On January 9, 2007, Google announced Google SketchUp 6, a free downloadable version of SketchUp, without some functionality of SketchUp Pro, but including integrated tools for uploading content to Google Earth and to the Google 3D Warehouse. A toolbox enables a viewer to 'walk around' and see things from different viewpoints and supports labels for models, a look-around tool and an 'any polygon' shape tool. Google SketchUp Pro 6 introduced a beta version of Google SketchUp LayOut. LayOut includes 2D vector tools and page layout tools allowing presentations to be produced without the need for a separate presentation program.[16]
On November 17, 2008, SketchUp 7 was released with changes intended to make it easier to use, integration of SketchUp's Component Browser with Google 3D Warehouse, LayOut 2 and dynamic components that respond to scaling. Windows 2000 was no longer supported.[3]
On September 1, 2010, SketchUp 8 was released with model geolocation with Google Maps and Building Maker integration. Mac OS X Tiger was no longer supported.[3]
Neither the free version nor the professional version was available in a native format for Linux, or Mac OS earlier than 10.5. SketchUp version 8 use under Wine has been rated 'Gold'.[17]
Geolocation information is always stored in the KMZ file.[18] The building designs themselves are saved in SKP.
Trimble Navigation (now Trimble Inc.) acquired SketchUp from Google on June 1, 2012 for an undisclosed sum.[19] In 2013 SketchUp 2013 was released. A new site was provided, Extension Warehouse, hosting plugins and extensions for Sketchup.[20]
SketchUp comes in multiple editions; all are proprietary software.
SketchUp Pro includes the functionality of SketchUp Make plus importers and exporters to common 2D and 3D formats, access to LayOut (2D documentation software) and Style Builder (create custom edge styles for SketchUp models).[21] SketchUp Pro 2016 has native integration with Trimble Connect, treat 3D Warehouse models as references, a totally rebuilt Generate Report and now LayOut offers web-friendly reference objects as well as a new LayOut API.[22]
SketchUp Pro licensing is cross-platform and works on both Windows and Mac machines.
SketchUp Shop is a version of SketchUp specifically for DIY designers, makers, and woodworkers. It has a feature set designed to meet their needs (e.g. interface with 3D printers, CNC routers and other shop machines). A major difference between Shop and Pro is that SketchUp Shop is a web application that you run in a browser while connected to the Internet whereas SketchUp Pro is a downloadable application that you can use offline.[23]
In November 2017, SketchUp Free was released as a web-based application which replaces SketchUp Make.[24] Drawings can be saved to cloud, saved locally as native SKP file or exported as a STL file. Compared to Make, SketchUp Free does not support extensions and creation and editing of materials.
Sketchup Make (formerly SketchUp for Home and Personal Use), introduced in May 2013, is a free-of-charge version for home, personal and educational use.[25] It begins with a 30-day trial of SketchUp Pro. After that time, users can agree to the Terms of Service and continue to use SketchUp Make for free. There will be no further releases of Make after November 2017; users are expected to migrate to SketchUp Free, though the installer remains available for download.
3D Warehouse is an open library in which SketchUp users may upload and download 3D models to share. The models can be downloaded right into the program without anything having to be saved onto your computer's storage. File sizes of the models can be up to 50 MB. Anyone can make, modify and re-upload content to and from the 3D warehouse free of charge.[26] All the models in 3D Warehouse are free, so anyone can download files for use in SketchUp or even other software such as AutoCAD, Revit and ArchiCAD - all of which have apps allowing the retrieval of models from 3D Warehouse. Since 2014 Trimble has launched a new version of 3D Warehouse where companies may have an official page with their own 3D catalog of products. Trimble is currently investing in creating 3D developer partners in order to have more professionally modeled products available in 3D Warehouse. According to the Trimble, 3D Warehouse is the most popular 3D content site on the web. SketchUp designers may visit 3D Warehouse to discover new products or for inspiration when designing their own.
SketchUp holds U.S. Patent 6,628,279, granted in September 2003, on its 'Push/Pull' technology.
SketchUp 4 and later support software extensions written in the Ruby programming language, which add specialized functionality. Many such extensions are available to others on the Trimble Extension Warehouse[27] and many other 3rd party websites as well. SketchUp has a Ruby console, an environment which allows experimentation with Ruby.[28]
SketchUp Free, the web-based version, does not support extensions which severely limits the functionality of the tool.
SketchUp Viewer is a paid app released by Trimble.[29] It is available on iOS, Android, and Microsoft HoloLens.
Cubits for iPad and iOS is a 3D interactive model viewer/renderer.[30] It can view .kmz files from SketchUp either as attachments through e-mail or via Dropbox.
IrisVR Prospect software allows users to view SketchUp files in virtual reality with the use of head mounted displays such as the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift.[31]
Kubity — the first mixed reality multiplex, is a system to instantly visualize 3D models on multiple devices: desktop computers, smartphones, tablets, augmented reality gear and virtual reality glasses. They also developed rvt2skp, a free plugin to export any Revit project to a .skp file.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to SketchUp. |
IGES Import for SketchUp 1. IGES file import plug-in for SketchUpIGES Import for SketchUp is an add-on created for Google SketchUp. This plug-in gives SketchUp the ability to import solid objects from IGES files.
3DM Import for SketchUp 1. Rhino 3DM file import plug-in for SketchUp3DM Import for SketchUp is a Rhinoceros 3DM file import add-on developeed for Google SketchUp application. This plug-in gives SketchUp the ability to import polygon meshes from 3DM files.
OBJ Import for SketchUp 1. Wavefront OBJ file import plug-in for SketchUpOBJ Import for SketchUp is a Wavefront OBJ file import extension created for Google SketchUp. This plug-in gives SketchUp the ability to import geometric data from OBJ files.
This plug-in gives SketchUp the ability to export objects in SketchUp to 3D meshes in an AutoCAD DWG file.DWG Export for SketchUp tessellates objects in a SketchUp document into a set of triangular meshes. These meshes are then exported to a DWG file. ..
Shaderlight is an interactive rendering plug-in to Google SketchUp that lets you create high quality images quickly and simply. The release of v2 now even gives you even more control over how you render your SketchUp models with the ability to. ..
Shaderlight is an interactive rendering plug-in to Google SketchUp that lets you create high quality images quickly and simply. The release of v2 now even gives you even more control over how you render your SketchUp models with the ability to. ..
This is a Ruby script for Google SketchUp which can export 3D scenes to the Ogre 3D rendering engine. It is released under the LGPL.Development is sponsorized by ASA-Lab at the Virtual Reality & Multimedia Park.
SKP Export for SpaceClaim - SketchUp SKP file export add-in for SpaceClaim. SKP Export for SpaceClaim is a SketchUp SKP file export add-in for SpaceClaimdlT«. This add-in gives SpaceClaim the ability to export geometric data to SketchUp SKP files.
wxSU is a plugin for Google SketchUp that extends the SketchUp API with the capabilities of wxRuby. wxSU bundles wxRuby to provide a cross-platform, pure Ruby solution for implementing GUI dialogs in your SketchUp. ..
EditInPlace is a Google SketchUp plugin that lets you edit (modify) components and groups in a separate Google SketchUp instance.EditInPlace overcomes one of Google SketchUp's biggest limitations - the clipping plane which prevents you from effectively editing small components in large models. It is a time saver for SU Podium users who need to add properties to materials that are hard to find in large models.
SimLab composer is a 3D scene building and sharing program. It allows the creator of 3D models to share them with technical and none technical users.Main Features:* Importing multiple file formats including STEP, IGES, 3DXML, SketchUp, Rhino, OBJ,. ..
Import Google SketchUp models to Autodesk 3D Studio Max. Use SimLab SketchUp Importer for 3ds Max, to add the artistic touch to your SketchUp models in 3DS Max powerful environment. Assign advanced materials, add 3DS objects, and Create high quality renders.