3D Modeling Software Guide. 3D modeling software provides designers and engineers with the tools to plan, design, create and develop three-dimensional models and representations of objects. Compare the best 3D Modeling software.
- Best 3d Design Software
- Best 3d Design Software 2019
- Best 3d Design Software For Kids
- Best 3d Design Software For 3d Printing
- Best 3d Design Software Free
- 3d Design Software Free
Most of the engineers and designers will have to work with CAD at some point of time to design objects in a better and realistic way. There are many types of CAD software that they could use like 2D CAD Software and 3D drawing software. These free 3D software downloads are free to use and can be used for many purposes. The tools will be advanced enough to render any object in a realistic way.
- Looking for 3D modeling software or 3D design software? Check out our guide to the best 3D software for model makers – some of the programs are even free.
- Solid Works is a 3D CAD software that comes with tons and tons of powerful features making it one of the best 3D modeling software. It is a program that is developed by Dassault Systemes and runs on Windows. If you are new to three-dimensional modeling and design crafting, this software is not for you.
- From packaging to magazines, websites, and cutting-edge apps, stunning images and stylish visuals drive the modern economy. Whether creating standalone artwork or assets for a larger project, powerful graphic design software is critical for making your ideas stand out. Use the creative industry’s.
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Free CAD
This freeware can be used to design many real-life objects in any size that you want. The parametric modeling will allow engineers to modify the designs that were drawn and change its parameters.
KOMPAS-3D Home
This premium software that was created by ASCON can be used as a comprehensive MCAD program that will have a powerful set of functions for creating 2D and 3D designs in perfect parameters.
Tinker CAD
This free software by Autodesk, Inc. can be used as a browser based 3D designing and modeling tools that will be suitable for 3D printing purposes. You can imagine anything and draw it quickly.
SketchUp
This premium software created by Trimble Inc has an intuitive and powerful interface that can be used to scale 3D models. The features can be used for page layout and innovative designs can be created.
NaroCAD
This freeware from NaroCAD is a 3D parametric modeling software used for designing solids. The functionalities used here are related to Model Associativity.
GrabCAD
This free software created by STRATASYS will help in simplifying the 3D printing workflow so that you will be able to print faster. It is an easy way to share and manage CAD files.
Sculptris
SOLVESPACE
Solidworks Professional
Vari CAD
Auto Desk 123D
KiCad
NanoCAD Pro 7
Other Free 3D CAD Software for Different Platforms
The different file transfer software that are available online can be used only on some operating system. Once it is designed to work on a particular operating system like Windows, Linux or Mac it will not function on other OS. These software are available online.
AR-CAD for Windows
This free software created by AR-CAD LLC is compatible on the Windows platform and has motion simulation capabilities with which engineers will be able to perform motion and dynamic simulation and 3D CAD development.
Open SCAD for Mac
This freeware is compatible with the Mac platform and can be used to create solid 3D models. It focuses on CAD aspects to create 3D models of machine parts with a 3D compiler.
om3DCAD 3D Modeler for Android
This free Android app was manufactured by Goran Lukic and can be used as a 3D CAD application and 3D CAD conversion tool. It will be able to support different formats like STEP, STL, OBJ and much more.
Auto CAD – Most Popular Software
This premium software from Autodesk Inc. is very popular and can be used for creating 2D and 3D designs in any form imaginable. It can be used on different platforms and has many advanced tools.
How to Install 3D CAD software?
The different 3D CAD software that are available online can be installed as a free version or as a premium version. For the premium versions, the login credentials should be bought from the manufacturer which should be used at the time of login. The file can be downloaded from the website and it should be unzipped. The system requirements should be checked using the readme text to make sure that the software will run on the system and then the software can be installed using the instructions that are prompted. The required language should be set before opening the software.
You will be able to share the drawings and designs that you make on this software and work across different platforms and devices. It will use simplified tools to make a complicated drawing which can be edited later. Dimensioning of the designs will be very easy and the design can be saved as a PDF.
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Use these free 3D modeling software solutions to quickly turn your design ideas into realistic 3D construction models.
Construction professionals are constantly coming up with new ideas for innovative designs, and it’s helpful to have software that can quickly turn these ideas into three-dimensional (3D) representations.
3D modeling software allows construction professionals to transform their designs and blueprints into lifelike models and lets artists clearly visualize the dimensions of their building designs before construction is complete.
There are several 3D modeling software tools available on the market, each with varying capabilities. And if you thought that buying one will cost you a lot of money, think again!
We’ve analyzed over 100 free design software options in Capterra directories and evaluated user reviews to identify the five best free 3D modeling software solutions (listed alphabetically). You can read our complete product selection methodology here.
5 best free 3D modeling construction software
BIMx
Live Home 3D
Onshape
SketchUp
SkyCiv Structural 3D
Note: Some of these software tools are listed as computer-aided design (CAD), but we chose them because they also offer 3D modeling options for intricate and precise designs and are a good option for users who simply want to do basic 3D design without any animation or texture painting.
1. BIMx
BIMx is a project presentation and collaboration software with integrated 2D and 3D navigation for building projects. Its cloud-integrated workflows and intuitive user interface make project management easier for architects and designers working on building information models and architectural documentation.
3D models in BIMx (Source)
BIMx helps users design interactive 3D models of buildings. Builders, clients, and consultants can use these 3D models to give prospects virtual tours of projects before construction is completed.
We analyzed user reviews for BIMx to understand what buyers liked and areas they felt could be improved. Here’s what we found.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
The software UI is intuitive. | A steep learning curve to master key commands. |
Virtual tours allow customers to view every dimension of a property even before construction is complete. | The desktop version is less functional than the mobile version. |
How much does BIMx cost? | |
BIMx offers a basic free version with limited features, but users can upgrade to the paid version for additional features. |
2. Live Home 3D
Live Home 3D is an interior and home design software that allows users to create 3D environments that give the actual look and feel of building interiors. It’s mostly used by solo architects and small teams of startup designers working on home interiors.
3D view in Live Home 3D ( Source)
Live Home 3D automatically suggests and generates 3D views of floor plans. Users can either design their own floor plan or import an external image to extract a design and recreate it. In both cases, the software offers users the option of converting their design into a 3D plan.
We analyzed user reviews for Live Home 3D to understand what buyers liked and areas they felt could be improved. Here’s what we found.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
The software’s UI is easy to use. | Not many terrain options are available. Even demo projects have the same standard terrain. |
Users can choose a wide range of colors and furniture for their models. | The UI could be aesthetically improved, and the walkthrough mode is difficult to control. |
How much does Live Home 3D cost? | |
Live Home 3D offers a free version with limited features, but users can upgrade to its paid version, Live Home 3D Pro, for a one-time payment of $19.99. |
3. Onshape
Onshape is cloud-based 3D CAD software that offers top-down designs with multipart modeling and in-context editing. It’s useful for designers, engineers, and manufacturers who want the flexibility of working from anywhere on any device.
Best 3d Design Software
3D section view in Onshape (Source)
As a SaaS-based tool, Onshape uses online databases to store data, eliminating the need for any physical servers and other IT infrastructure costs.
We analyzed user reviews for Onshape to understand what buyers liked and areas they felt could be improved. Here’s what we found.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
A fast learning curve. Anyone with basic CAD knowledge can operate the software with ease. | Since Onshape is cloud-based, it lacks offline caching. Therefore, models have to be constantly reloaded during poor connectivity. |
Users have access to detailed instructional videos to understand primary features. | Since the software operates via browsers, designing large models can be difficult. |
How much does Onshape cost? | |
Onshape’s free version has limited features, but users can upgrade to its paid version, which costs $125 per user per month and is billed annually ($1,500). |
4. SketchUp
SketchUp is CAD software that allows users to design and edit 3D models of interiors, landscapes, and more. It assists in end-to-end designing, starting from the earliest design stage to the end of construction. It can be used by architects and interior designers for different designing steps, such as initial diagramming, design development, detailing, documentation, and requests for information (RFI).
3D construction model in SketchUp (Source)
Android file transfer not working on macbook pro. SketchUp allows users to include lighting effects, texture paintings, and animations in their design models. It also offers a wide range of symbols and predesigned models that allow designers to achieve desired outputs.
We analyzed user reviews for SketchUp to understand what buyers liked and areas they felt could be improved. Here’s what we found.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
The software modules are easy to navigate, even for beginners. | SketchUp cannot be integrated with other design software. |
Besides drawing and sketching options, the software also offers built-in features such as animations, lighting, and texture effects. | Customer support isn’t responsive, and most queries are answered only via online message boards. |
How much does SketchUpcost? | |
The basic version (web only) of SketchUp is free, but users can upgrade to the paid version, SketchUp Shop (web only), for $119 per user, per year or the pro version, SketchUp Pro (both desktop and web), at $299 per user, per year. |
Best 3d Design Software 2019
5. SkyCiv Structural 3D
SkyCiv Structural 3D is cloud-based structural analysis and design software that allows users to model, analyze, and design 3D structures. Due to its structural analysis capabilities, the software is well-suited for civil, mechanical, and structural engineers.
3D structural analysis in SkyCiv Structural 3D (Source)
SkyCiv Structural 3D allows users to analyze structural factors, such as bending, shear, stress, and deflection. Since the software is cloud-based, it requires no installation and works completely online.
We analyzed user reviews for SkyCiv Structural 3D to understand what buyers liked and areas they felt could be improved. Here’s what we found.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
A fast learning curve. | Only a limited number of structural analysis methods are available. |
The customer support team is quick to respond. | The software’s mobile app interface for iPhones isn’t intuitive. |
How much does PRODUCT cost? | |
SkyCiv Structural 3D offers a free version with limited features, but users can upgrade to the paid (basic) version at $69 per user, per month or the professional version at $109 per user, per month. |
The final decision: Which free 3D modeling construction software to buy?
Best 3d Design Software For Kids
Our list of the five best free 3D modeling solutions can get you started with your software search, but the right fit depends on your design needs.
![Best Best](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2465/4591/products/2_34a508ea-a751-42fd-87d1-ac215d9f77a7.jpg?v=1524489243)
We recommend the following approach to make your ultimate decision:
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Best 3d Design Software For 3d Printing
If you’ve used or are currently using free 3D modeling construction software that works well for you, tell us about it in the comments section below.
Product selection methodology
To be considered for this list, products had to offer a free, stand-alone version of the software and not a trial version wherein users have to purchase the product after the trial period.
A product was classified as 3D modeling construction software if it contained the core 3D modeling and collaboration features and at least one design feature, such as design analysis, design templates, or design export.
We analyzed nearly 150 products from our engineering CAD software, architecture software, and BIM software market categories to identify these free products. To be selected, each product had to have a minimum user rating of 4 out of 5 on Capterra as of January 6, 2020.
Best 3d Design Software Free
Note: Listed pros and cons are derived from features listed on the product website and product user reviews on Gartner Digital Markets domains (Capterra, GetApp, and Software Advice). They do not represent the views of, nor constitute an endorsement by, Capterra or its affiliates.
3d Design Software Free
Looking for Construction Management software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Construction Management software solutions.