1. Blender
This is an excellent free 3D design platform providing an incredible number of modeling tools without any cost. Blender offers an envelope distorter and sculpting tools that enable users to freely manipulate shapes.
Platform: Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, BSD
Price: free
Pros:
- Free and open-source software
- Provides tons of resources
- Uses proceduaral workflow
Cons:
- Not appropriate for professional project
- Requires a steep learning curve
- Can be buggy sometimes
- Cannot work properly on old devices
Click here to download Blender
2. ZBrush
Zbrush is known for creating sculpted design such as flowers, portraits, animals, etc. Furthermore, it offers extensive polygonal modeling tools for designs where precision is required. Asides from versions requiring manually cost (ZBrush and ZBrushCore), you can have a totally free version of ZBrush, ZbrushCoreMini.
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Price: free, US$895 or US$360/year
Pros:
- Photoreal rendering
- Advanced sculpting capabilities
- Integration with other 3D software
Cons:
- Slowdowns when using certain tools or features.
- Difficult to access certain shortcuts or commands.
- Lack of a dedicated animation timeline system.
Click here to download Zbrush
3. AutoCAD
AutoCAD is computer-aided design (CAD) software that architects, engineers, and construction professionals rely on to create precise 2D and 3D drawings. With AutoCAD, users can easily draft and edit 2D geometry and 3D models with solids, surfaces, and mesh objects. Futhermore, AutoCAD provides tools to annotate drawings with text, dimensions, leaders, and tables.
Platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows
Price: $5,865/paid every 3 years ; $1,955/paid annually ; $245/paid monthly
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Transition between 2D and 3D
- High accuracy
- Tasks are done in lesser time
Cons:
- High cost
- Require training in order to know every functions in detail
- Require a strong computer
Click here to download AutoCAD
4. Rhino
Rhino 3D is a free form surface modeler that uses the modeling by curves technique (NURBS or Non-Uniform Rational Basis Spline). Rhino includes a really complete set of tools to help you develop all your projects, no matter what is your industry. You will find all the general tools, transform tools, points and curves options, surface features, and a lot of mesh tools to export your meshes or convert NURBS to meshes for display or rendering.
Platform: macOS, Windows
Price: US$ 995
Pros:
- Easy to use even with a beginner
- One of the best software for 3D printing
- Can use plugin to create complicated shapes
Cons:
- Heavy on computer’s hard disk
- Hard to find the right functions since this software is too powerful
- Have no shortcuts for performing functions
Click here to download Rhino
5. Fusion 360
Autodesk Fusion 360 is a cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool which intergrates design, modeling, and simulation cappabilities. It allows you to connect your entire design to manufacture product development process to deliver high-quality products to market faster and positively impact your bottom line. It includes generative design, 2.5, 3, 4,&5-axis machining, and advanced simulation.
Flatform: macOS, Windows
Price: $70/paid monthly; $382/paid annually; 1,635/paid every 3 years
Pros:
- Free for non-commercial use
- Has powerful, intuitive tools
- Create machine code in order to cut or 3D print
- Tutorial is available online
Cons:
- Weak support for sculpting and retopology
- Doesn't have many shortcuts
- Crash when working under heavy development
Click here to download Fusion 360