For 3D Printer/movie/cartoon/game/architecture and interior design industries, 3D modeling is undoubtedly key part of digital production. This is why it is important to select the correct 3D modeling software, because it can turn complex and fine ideas into reality in the most convenient effective and efficient way. But, it is usually difficult to select the most suitable 3D modeling software. To help to select a correct software, ZRapid suggests top10 3D modeling software for no matter beginners or experienced experts.
1. SolidWorks
SolidWorks is a Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) program runs on Microsoft Windows, developed and launched by DassaultSystèmes. As reported, by 2013, more than 165,000 companies and 2 million engineers and designers are using SolidWorks. According to info of SolidWorks, the total turnover of 2011-2012 is 483 million USD.
2. SketchUp
SketchUp is a 3D modeling software applied for drawing application, such as architecture/ interior design/ civil and mechanical engineering/ movie and video game design, etc. SketchUp provides free version/ SketchUp Make version and pay version SketchUp Pro. The 3D modeling software comprises drawing and layout functions, and allows surface rendering. The important is it supports 3rd party plug-in programs. What’s more, it has an online open resource named 3D Warehouse, which allows users to select models.
3. Autodesk Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is a cloud-based 3D modeling software, although it is professional, comparing with other professional modeling software, it is “people-friendly”. The size is 800MB, supports Mac and Windows, and supports simple file share/input/output common CAD file types, and has powerful parameter tools and analysis grid tool, it is suitable to design (for example) low cost artificial limb models.
4. CATIA
CATIA is abbreviation of Computer-graphics Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application, which means: firstly CAD, then CAM, and lastly CAE, a set of programs. This 3D modeling software uses C++ programming language, and is developed by French company DassaultSystèmes.
5. Blender
Blender is a free professional open source 3D computer graphics application program, used to create animation movies/ visual effects/ art/ 3D print models/ interactive 3D applications and video games. Blender has a wide range of functions, including 3D modeling/ UV decompression/ texture/ Raster graphics editing/ skin/ fluid/ smoke simulation/ particle simulation/ software simulation/ sculpture/ animation/ matching movement/ camera trace, etc. What’s more, this software consists of an integrated game engine.
6. AutoCAD
As an important source of 3D modeling software, AutoCAD is a commercial software application program used for 2D and 3D CAD and drawing, which is widely used for many fields, such as: Architect/ project manager/ engineer/ graphic designers and other experts.
7. Autodesk 123D
Autodesk 123D is a set of CAD and 3D modeling software tools created by Autodesk. The function is similar with SketchUp, based on Autodesk Inventor of Autodesk, and now is for free download. Besides basic graphics and 3D modeling function, it supports output of STL. Besides, Autodesk co-operates with three companies- Ponoko/ Techshop and 3D Systems.
8. Rhino3D
Rhino3D is a commercial computer graphics and CAD application software used on Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It is used for CAD/CAM/fast prototype/3D Print and reverse engineering in industry, including architecture/ industrial design (for example automobile design, ship design)/ product design (for example jewelry design) and multimedia and graphic design.
9. OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD is a free software application program applied to create solid 3D CAD objects, which is not an interactive modeling tool but a 3D interpreter based on text description language. OpenSCAD file can appoint geometric primitive, and define how to modify and operate them to render 3D models. This 3D modeling software can be used on Windows/ Linux and OS X systems.
10. Autodesk Inventor
Autodesk Inventor is a 3D solid modeling software developed by Autodesk, which is used to create 3D digital prototypes. It is applied for: 3D mechanical design/ designing communication/ tool creation and product simulation. This 3D modeling software can help create accurate 3D modeling for design, visual operation and simulation before product construction.
original text : 3DHoo
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