20 Amazing Tools and Software for 3D Designers

3D is a very large field in the computer graphic industry. Actually, it has its own empire inside computer graphic. 3D has alot of specializations and fields that is concern with every topic related to create a 3D content such as modeling, light, texturing and rendering…etc.

The 3D industry has alot of 3D tools and applications that vary depending on its usage and focus. For example, you can find tools that only specialized in modeling and other tools that can help you create a complete 3D project but you need to depend on other tools to finalize it.

The following is a collection of some of the most popular 3D design packages, for both Mac and Windows operating systems. Most of these programs are very complicated for the beginner and also very expensive. However, it is a good idea to think for the best software to start with and read reviews from different experts about it before taking the decision to purchase it.

3D Studio Max

It’s a tool of choice for quickly generating realistic characters, seamless CG effects,
jaw-dropping games, and top-quality film and television content. Enhanced toolsets
enable you to create your 3D environment the way you want, manage complex scenes,
and take advantage of improved software interoperability and pipeline-integration support.

SoftImage

Softimage is a 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and compositing solution optimized
for artist efficiency. The Autodesk Softimage 2010 release boasts accelerated performance,
greater data handling, the Autodesk Face Robot facial animation toolset,
as well as new tools to help manage scene complexity.

Maya

Autodesk Maya 2010 software is the first release to unify the Autodesk Maya Complete 2009
and Autodesk Maya Unlimited 2009 feature sets, advanced matchmoving capabilities,
and high dynamic range compositing into a single affordable package. Also included for a
complete CG workflow are 5 additional mental ray for Maya batch rendering nodes and the
Autodesk Backburner network render queue manager.

LightWave 3D

LightWave is a complete modeling, rendering and animation system. Used extensively in
broadcast television production, film visual effects, video game development, print graphics
and visualization, LightWave is responsible for more artists winning Emmy Awards than
any other 3D application.

Cinema 4D

CINEMA 4D’s intuitive interface and logical workflow make it possible for those new to 3D
artistry to dive in and be productive quickly. CINEMA 4D’s state-of-the-art architecture
means it is always the first to benefit from new technologies and advancements For those
artists whose work demands more than the basic application, MAXON provides numerous
seamlessly-integrated modules.

Poser

Professional 3D Figure Design & Animation software. Poser Pro offers quickly animating with
pre-rigged characters inside of host applications such as Autodesk’s 3ds Max and Maya,
and Maxon’s CINEMA 4D. And professional-level application integration as well as a 64-Bit
render engine and network rendering support. The industry standard COLLADA data exchange
format combined with content built specifically for Poser Pro.

Zbrush

ZBrush is a digital sculpting and painting program that has revolutionized the 3D industry
with its powerful features and intuitive workflows. Built within an elegant interface, ZBrush
offers the world’s most advanced tools for today’s digital artists. With an arsenal of features
that have been developed with usability in mind, ZBrush creates a user experience that
feels incredibly natural while simultaneously inspiring the artist within. With the ability to
sculpt up to a billion polygons, ZBrush allows you to create limited only by your imagination.

mudbox

Digital sculpting and texture painting software gives modelers and texture artists the
freedom to create 3D digital artwork as if they are working with clay and paint. Designed
by professional artists in the game, film, television, and design industries, Mudbox combines
a highly intuitive user interface with a powerful creative toolset of stencils and brushes to
help create ultra-realistic 3D characters, engaging environments, stylized props, and more.

Houdini

Houdini is a powerful 3D modeling and animation application used by professional 3D artists
from around the world. Using a production-proven node-based architecture, Houdini makes
it easy for artists to generate high-quality art that is easy to update as the needs of your
project evolves. Houdini now supports export of models and animations to .dts for use in
Torque Game Engine (TGE) or Torque Game Engine Advanced (TGEA).

RealFlow

RealFlow is a ground-breaking, state-of-the-art fluids and dynamics simulation tool, developed
by Next Limit Technologies for the simulation of fluids, water surfaces, rigid bodies, soft bodies
and fibres. The elements of the simulation use physical properties to control their behavior and
can interact with each other and react according to impulses, forces and accelerations.

Massive

Massive is the premier simulation and visualization solution system for generating and visualizing
realistic crowd behaviors and autonomous agent driven animation for a variety of industries,
including film, games, television, architecture, transportation, engineering, and robotics. Using
Massive, an animator, engineer or robot developer designs characters with a set of actions and
reactions to what is going on around them.

Vue

Vue 8 Infinite offers an all-around combination of unequaled scenery creation power, advanced
rendering & full-featured animation tools. Render your projects in rich, natural environments, with
hyper-realistic atmospheres and lighting. Vue 8 xStream environments seamlessly blend with your
3DS Max, Maya, Softimage, LightWave or Cinema 4D scenes and animations. Access the power
of the world’s leading 3D scenery technology directly from within your favorite application!

Blender

Blender is the free open source 3D content creation suite, has a relatively small installation size
available for all major operating systems under the GNU General Public License. Blender’s features
include advanced simulation tools such as rigid body, fluid, cloth and softbody dynamics, modifier
based modeling tools, powerful character animation tools, a node based material and compositing
system and Python for embedded scripting.

Google SketchUp

Google SketchUp Pro 7 is a suite of powerful features and applications for streamlining your
professional 3D workflow. Includes: SketchUp Pro 7: Create, modify and share 3D models.
LayOut 2: Create professional documents and presentations.  Style Builder: Create custom,
sketchy-edge display Styles for SketchUp.  Build models and add them to the 3D Buildings
layer in Google Earth and Google 3D Warehouse – A searchable, online repository of 3D
models where you can find anything you need and share your models with the world.

Modo

Modo delivers the next evolution of 3D modeling, painting and rendering in a single integrated
and accelerated package for the Mac and PC. And now, modo is a true end-to-end solution
that includes true 3D sculpting tools, animation and network rendering! More than just features,
modo is a truly elegant integration of technology, raw horsepower and refined workflow.

Daz3D

DAZ Studio is a free, feature rich 3D figure design and 3D animation tool that enables anyone
to create stunning digital imagery. This is the perfect tool to design unique digital art and
animation using virtual people, animals, props, vehicles, accessories, environments and more.
Simply select your subject and/or setting, arrange accessories, setup lighting, and begin
creating beautiful artwork.

Swift 3D

Swift 3D is the only 3D software to directly integrate with Flash through the Swift 3D File
Importer and SmartLayer Technology and exports to Microsoft XAML. Swift 3D’s toolset
and interface allow anyone to quickly create 3D content, while providing a full set of
advanced tools to grow into. Swift 3D is a powerful, easy-to-use 3D solution that delivers
high-quality results for an unbeatable price.

Bryce 3D

Make your scenes more realistic by combining imported animations with your Bryce 6 scenes
to create seamless productions of environments populated with human figures, animals and
other characters. Bryce 6 is the ideal 3D software addition to your image editing toolbox.
Now it is easier than ever to add artwork created in Bryce in conjunction with common image
editing programs to merge photos and 3D artwork for an unlimited degree of creativity.

Strata 3D

Strata, the company adding the power of 3D to the designer’s toolset, today released Strata
Foto 3D CX 2. This new version of Foto 3D makes it even easier to create 3D models from
photographs, allowing the use of image sets taken from video as well as still images. Foto 3D’s
patented technology has revolutionized model creation of real-world objects and version 2
takes this technology to another level.

Form Z

Form·Z is an award winning general purpose solid and surface modeler with an extensive set of
2D/3D form manipulating and sculpting capabilities, many of which are unique. It is an effective
design tool for architects, landscape architects, urban designers, engineers, animators and
illustrators, industrial and interior designers, and all design fields that deal with the articulation
of 3D spaces and forms.