8 Best FREE 3D Modeling Software for PC (2025)
Henry Cooper
3D modeling is a technique of creating a mathematical representation of any surface of the object in 3 dimensions using a specific tool. While selecting a 3D modeling application you must ensure that it offers all the desired tools and advanced updated features as per your project requirement.
After evaluating over 50+ Free 3D Modeling Software through extensive research and testing, I’ve identified the best and most reliable tools that can help you create your designs with ease. Here is my handpicked list of the best free 3D modeling software, including their popular features and website links. This list features both open-source (free) and commercial (paid) software. Read more…
Adobe Substance 3D is software that enables you to draw 3D designs. It allows you to rotate and transform the objects. This application can be used to add the texture of objects.
Best Free 3D Modeling Software for PC: Top Programs!
| Name | Platform Compatibility | Free Trial | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
Adobe Substance 3D |
Windows, macOS | 30-days Free Trial | Learn More |
 3ds Max |
Windows | 30-days Free Trial | Learn More |
 Daz 3D |
Windows, macOS | Free Download | Learn More |
 Blender |
Windows, macOS, Linux | Free Download | Learn More |
 Tinkercad |
Browser-based | 30-days Free Trial | Learn More |
1) Adobe Substance 3D
As I evaluated Adobe Substance 3D, it enabled me to draw 3D designs with precision. In my opinion, it is best for anyone looking to create intricate 3D models without much hassle. It allowed me to rotate and transform the objects. This application can also be used to add different textures to objects.
Create 3D models on desktop and in VR.
Allows you to blend two objects together.
Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, and iOS
Free Trial: 30 Days Free Trial
Features:
- Build Non-Linearly: It provides a node-based workflow that allows designers to create 3D models non-destructively. Therefore, you can adjust all the steps in the procedure later.
- Unlimited combinations: I could learn from thousands of communities and see node graphs from the Substance 3D Assets Library materials. It also helped me start a new project instantly.
- Transparency Effect: You can add a transparency effect to objects.
- Object Blending: It allows you to blend two objects together.
- 3D Skeleton Creation: You can create a 3D human skeleton that can be animated seamlessly.
- Pixel Manipulation: It allowed me to move 3D object pixels forward or backward with ease.
- Virtual Photography: You can make high-quality virtual photographs.
- Other features: I received other useful features like color management, HDR lighting, MDL support, and a constantly scaling content library. Additionally, it helped send materials and filters to other substance 3D apps.
Pros
Cons
How to Get Adobe Substance 3D for Free
- Go to https://www.adobe.com/products/substance3d/apps/designer.html
- Click on the “Start free trial” button. Fill in your details to sign up for the 30-day free trial.
- During the free trial, you get 50 3D assets per month. Cancel your trial within the first 30 days to avoid any charges. If you do not cancel, you will be billed for the plan you have opted for after the free trial ends.
30-Days Free Trial
2) 3ds Max
3ds Max is a professional 3D modeling, rendering, and animation software widely used for creating high-quality visuals in industries like game development, architecture, and film. With its powerful toolset, it allows users to build intricate models, apply realistic textures, and create lifelike animations.
Features:
- Advanced Features: 3ds Max includes powerful modeling tools such as polygon modeling, parametric modifiers, spline-based modeling, and procedural animation.
- Real-time collaboration: The software supports scene exploration tools, shared assets, and integrations with Autodesk’s cloud solutions for seamless teamwork.
- Customization & Scripting: With MAXScript and Python, users can automate repetitive tasks, create custom tools, and enhance productivity.
- Scene & Asset Management: Users can organize and manage large scenes efficiently with layer-based workflows, scene explorers, and proxy objects for complex models.
- Animation & Rigging: It provides biped and CAT (Character Animation Toolkit), along with motion paths and keyframe animation, making it ideal for animators.
Pros
Cons
How to Get 3ds Max for Free
- Go to Autodesk 3ds Max official website.
- Click on Download Free Trial and sign up for an account.
- Download and install the trial version for a 30-day free access (no credit card required).
30-Days Free Trial
3) Daz 3D
I reviewed Daz 3D’s Hexagon, a free 3D modeling software that delivers all the tools a graphic artist needs. It helped me create detailed 3D models ready for import into Daz Studio for my final render. This 3D modeling software is perfect for creating intricate designs with ease.
Features:
- Sculpted Primitives: Hexagon offers sculpted primitives for intricate designs. You also get figure content that is created to adjust to your needs.
- Smart Modular Content: I could access its online store, which not only provides faces and bodies but also includes creatures, environments, buildings, and various other objects.
- Blend Characters: You can build characters according to your needs; they can be a mix of human and cartoon characters but still photorealistic. I could create a human-like hybrid with Daz for my fantasy project.
- Freehand Modeling: Freehand modeling brushes provided me with creative freedom.
- Advanced 3D Paint: Advanced 3D paint features enhance your models.
- 3D Model Library: I found that it offers the largest 3D model library available.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Compatible with Maya, Blender, Unity, Unreal.
Pros
Cons
How to Get Daz 3D Hexagon for Free
- Go to https://www.daz3d.com/hexagon-3d-modeling-free
- Register for your free Daz 3D Account and download Hexagon for FREE.
Link: https://www.daz3d.com/hexagon-3d-modeling-free
4) Blender
According to my review, Blender is a 3D modeling software great for developing visual effects, animated movies, and games. It allows beginners to import or export videos in MPEG, QuickTime, and AVI file formats. I was impressed by the convenience of the keyboard shortcuts.
Features:
- Realistic Rendering: It has a path tracer for realistic rendering. It helps you create shading, lightning, layers and phases, motion blur, etc.
- Modeling Tools: I could create, transform, sculpt, and edit my models. It provided me with tools like keyboard shortcuts, N-Gon support, grid and bridge fill, python scripting, and more.
- Real-Time Preview: It offers a real-time preview of the 3D scene and tracked footage.
- Shortcut Customization: It helped me customize shortcuts for better efficiency.
- Animation: This tool helps you to turn still characters into impressive animations.
- Export Options: I could export my design as an image.
- Polygon Drawing: This 3D modeling program enables you to draw polygon shapes.
Pros
Cons
How to Get Blender for Free
- Go to https://www.blender.org/download/
- Click on the Download Blender button, and you can use it for free.
Link: https://www.blender.org/
5) Tinkercad
I checked Tinkercad and saw it provides a fast and effortless way to produce a 3D design. According to my research, Tinkercad is a free web app for 3D design, electronics, and coding, trusted by over 75 million people around the world. It can be used by teachers, hobbyists, professional designers, and kids to make models. This application enables you to move, scale, and rotate objects with ease.
Features:
- Shape Modification: You can modify shapes and objects. It lets you rotate work plans so you can adjust the shape of your model. I could also change the view by rotating, and it helped me input accurate dimensions with the help of the ruler.
- Combine Elements: I used Tinkercad to design intricate shapes by combining numerous elements. It helped me align, duplicate, measure, and apply the same changes on numerous shapes and much more.
- Rotation: It allows you to rotate any shape as much as you want.
- File Import: You can import .svg and .stl file formats.
- File Export: Tinkercad designs can be exported in multiple formats.
- Shortcuts: It provided me with many shortcuts for quick actions.
Pros
Cons
How to Get Tinkercad for Free
- Go to https://www.tinkercad.com/
- Click on the Start Thnkering button to Register and Start creating from the first click.
- Tinkercad is free for everyone; no need to download it.
Link: https://www.tinkercad.com/
6) SketchUp
While reviewing SketchUp, a 3D modeling computer program, I was able to create detailed models effortlessly. It is a great way to start with 3D modeling as it is very intuitive. The tool comes with a 3D gallery that lets you search for models and share them with other users. Overall, it helped me visualize my ideas in a detailed manner.
Features:
- Workspace Customization: It helps you customize the 3D workspace. You can use it for various industries, such as urban planning, architecture, interior designing, woodwork, etc.
- Collaboration: I could easily stay connected with other team members on the project. Hence, we could build it together from anywhere, anytime, allowing us to incorporate feedback and solutions instantly.
- Layer Management: This free modeling software enables you to manage layers effortlessly.
- Lighting Effects: SketchUp helps you to set lighting effects. I benefited from using this feature to enhance my designs.
- Plugin Support: It supports numerous plugins for added functionality.
Pros
Cons
How to Get SketchUp for Free
- Go to https://www.sketchup.com/
- Click on the Start Your Free Trial button.
- Get Free 7-Day Trial. No credit card is required.
Link: https://www.sketchup.com/
7) Rhinoceros
In my experience with Rhinoceros, a 3D computer graphics software, Rhino 8 offers new modeling tools such as ShrinkWrap. It enhances Mac users’ speed and includes SubD Creases, PushPull workflows, and better drafting tools. I was impressed by its customizable user interface, faster Render engine, and new Grasshopper data types. This application helps you create, edit, and analyze your design. It is available for Mac and Windows and does not need any specialized hardware to create a design.
Features:
- Shape Creation: You can make ellipses, rectangles, spirals, and circles. It offers complete accuracy. Hence, I could easily design, engineer, prototype, analyze, and produce any product from a cruise ship to jewelry.
- Repair: It helped me read and repair highly challenging Intinal Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) files effortlessly.
- Lighting and Effects: You can set bumps, transparency, highlights, and spotlights.
- Annotation: I could annotate objects, which allowed me to add detailed notes easily.
- 3D Painting: This supports 3D paintings for detailed designs.
- File Management: It helps manage large projects efficiently.
Pros
Cons
How to Get Rhinoceros for Free
- Go to https://www.rhino3d.com/
- Click on the Download Rhino 8 button.
- You can try the Rhino 8 version for 90 days. After 90 days, saving and plugins stop working unless you buy a license key.
Link: https://www.rhino3d.com/
8) Open SCAD
During the period of my assessment, I analyzed Open SCAD’s effectiveness in creating solid three-dimensional objects. It helped me achieve high precision and control over the modeling process. This tool is a great option for anyone seeking accuracy and detail and is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux for free. This program enabled me to quickly preview the parts of different objects. I could also use it to make a parametric design by changing the parameters of objects.
Features:
- Shape Creation: It can make ellipses, rectangles, spirals, and circles. You can use these shares to create solid 3D CAD objects.
- Modeling techniques: I received constructive geometry and an extrusion of 2D outlines. It focuses on CAD aspects while creating an art or design.
- Annotation: I could annotate objects, as it allowed me to add detailed notes easily.
- 3D Painting: This supports 3D paintings for detailed designs.
- File Management: It helped me manage large projects efficiently.
Pros
Cons
How to Get OpenSCAD for Free
- Go to https://openscad.org/
- Click on the Download OpenSCAD button.
- OpenSCAD is free software and is available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows, and Mac OS X.
Link: https://openscad.org/
Other Best 3D Modeling Software & Tools
- LeoCAD: LeoCAD is an application that helps you create new models without any hassle. It enables you to share and download from the internet.
Link:https://www.leocad.org/ - Wings 3D: Wings 3D is an open-source tool for making three-dimensional designs. It contains a wide range of modeling tools. You can use this application to move, scale, rotate, cut, and weld any object of your choice.
Link: http://www.wings3d.com/ - Modo: Modo is a 3D texturing and modeling toolset. This program offers WYSIWYG to look for faster interaction of design. The software allows you to visualize your work as you develop it.
Link: https://www.vectary.com/ - BlocksCAD: BlocksCAD is a tool that helps to make three-dimensional models that are appropriate for printing on a three-dimensional printer. This cloud-based tool allows users to learn the concept by visualizing and designing models.
Link: https://www.blockscad3d.com/ - Houdini: Houdini is a three-dimensional modeling software application developed by SideFX. It allows artists to work freely, create multiple iterations, and share workflows with colleagues. It also provides a grooming tool for creating quick curves.
Link: https://www.sidefx.com/products/houdini/
What is 3D modeling?
3D modeling is a way of creating a mathematical representation of any surface of an object in 3 dimensions using a specific tool.
What is 3D modeling software?
3D modeling software is a computer graphics application used to create models in three-dimensional space.
Mention the common feature of 3D modeling software
The common features of 3D modeling software are:
- It offers collaboration and commenting facilities.
- This tool contains numerous features that help you to make your design with ease.
- You can modify shapes and objects.
- It enables you to align objects.
- Allows you to rotate any shape.
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Verdict:
In this review, I have mentioned some of the best free 3D modeling software for PCs. All of them have their advantages and disadvantages. However, to help you take the final call, I have created this verdict.
- Adobe Substance 3D: Its robust texturing tools and integration with Adobe software greatly enhanced my creative process.
- 3ds Max is a professional 3D modeling, rendering, and animation software widely used for creating high-quality visuals in industries.
- Daz 3D: It offered me an easy-to-use interface and an extensive library of assets, perfect for quick and high-quality renders.
Adobe Substance 3D is software that enables you to draw 3D designs. It allows you to rotate and transform the objects. This application can be used to add the texture of objects.