{"id":5994,"date":"2019-11-01T16:23:16","date_gmt":"2019-11-01T20:23:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ceros.com\/inspire\/?p=5994"},"modified":"2021-04-21T10:28:00","modified_gmt":"2021-04-21T14:28:00","slug":"best-3d-design-tools-autodesk-maya-3ds-max-blender-cinena-4d","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ceros.com\/inspire\/originals\/best-3d-design-tools-autodesk-maya-3ds-max-blender-cinena-4d\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best 3D Design Tools for Artists, Modelers, and Animators"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\">3<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>\n<p>Whether you\u2019re new to 3D graphic design or at the professional level, there are several 3D design tools on the market to meet your level of expertise, style, and project needs. To help you find the right one, we\u2019ve assembled a list of the best 3D modeling software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/maya\/overview\"><strong>Autodesk Maya<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Welcome to the Autodesk Maya Learning Channel\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/E2X5cMQMjkw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Price:<\/strong> $195\/month <strong>Free Trial: <\/strong>Yes&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maya is used by many leading animation studios (Pixar included) because of the massive array of incredibly powerful features and tools included in its workflow. While likely overkill for a casual user, Maya offers a robust package for those looking for all the bells and whistles.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/3ds-max\/overview\"><strong>Autodesk 3DS Max<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Price:<\/strong> $195\/month <strong>Free Trial: <\/strong>Yes&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3DS Max is an industry-standard solution for motion animation, architectural visualization, and scene design. Note that the spline system used by 3DS Max is often lauded as the best of its kind. 3DS Max also has many performance patches, as it predates most current programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blender.org\/\"><strong>Blender<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Price:<\/strong> Free<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once considered a basic alternative to many big kids on the block, this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ceros.com\/inspire\/originals\/the-10-best-free-designer-resources-for-2019\/\">free<\/a>, open-source tool now offers a slick, intuitive user interface and a robust feature set for the entire 3D pipeline. The program runs on all major operating systems and provides you with all the tools you will need in modeling software, such as texturing, rigging, sculpting, and animation. Blender also includes several third-party plugins, such as VRay.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maxon.net\/en-us\/products\/new-in-release-21\/overview\/\"><strong>Maxon Cinema 4D<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Maxon Cinema 4D | Demo Reel 2019\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hDMMw06ES-A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Price: <\/strong>$60\/month or a one-time fee of $3,495 <strong>Free Trial<\/strong>: No<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maxon Cinema 4D has a tight focus on advanced 3D modeling, making it perfect for conceptual product design and projects when you have to add more complex layers. Cinema 4D might be the right program for you if you\u2019re looking for ease of use. It is available in four \u201cflavors\u201d\u2014architects, motion graphics artists, designers, and 3D animators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lightwave3d.com\/\"><strong>Lightwave 3D<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Price:<\/strong> $995, with annual upgrades available for a fee <strong>Free Trial: <\/strong>Yes&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Used for everything from architecture visualizations to motion graphics, LightWave 3D is a versatile and affordable 3D design package for photo-real animation and imagery. Lightwave 3D operates as 2 apps: <em>Modeler<\/em> is for building assets, while <em>Layout<\/em> is ideal for lighting, texturing, animation, and rendering. Lightwave 2019 included a new feature called the Unreal Bridge that links Lightwave to the Unreal Engine, a video game engine for developers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/pixologic.com\/\"><strong>ZBrush<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Welcome to Our Channel! Pixologic ZBrush\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rkt-M3aMleE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Price:<\/strong> $40\/month or a one-time fee of $895 <strong>Free Trial: <\/strong>Yes&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ZBrush is general-purpose software for graphic artists that carefully detail their work and prefer inexpensive platforms. If you have ever found yourself in sheer awe of a digital rendering of an individual\u2019s face, it is likely that the artist used ZBrush in order to create their work. ZBrush is the industry standard for creating hyper-realistic models\u2014it\u2019s also a staple in VFX on both movies and television.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foundry.com\/products\/modo\"><strong>Modo<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Price: <\/strong>$599\/year or a one-time fee of $1,799 <strong>Free Trial: <\/strong>Yes&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Modo offers 3D modeling, animation, and rendering. While more expensive than other 3D design tools in this list, the package includes sophisticated tools for easy modeling, rigging, and animation rendering within a single workflow. The Foundry designed Modo with art in mind, not just animation. This is why it offers a robust and unique selection of tools.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tinkercad.com\/\"><strong>TinkerCAD<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Welcome to Tinkercad!\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LrU2zm_g7lE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Price: <\/strong>Free<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the other tools in this list focus on digital artwork and animation, TinkerCAD is an easy to use, online CAD tool that\u2019s easy to learn for creating 3D printable files. You can easily import 2D images, and then use this tool for creating 3D versions of them. If you are looking for a simple tool to get your feet wet, then you will like TinkerCAD\u2019s intuitive approach to common tools and concepts in 3D modeling software.<\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"myclass\">Whether you\u2019re new to 3D graphic design or at the professional level, there&#8217;s a tool that best suits the work you&#8217;re looking to do. 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