3D Builder 3D Crafter 3D Orchard 3D Slash 3D Studio Max AeroHydro Alias Studio Alibre ALPHACAM Angel Script Language AngelCAD ArchiCAD Art of Illusion ArtCAM AutoCAD Autodesk Autoship bforartist Blender 3D Brazil Brics CAD Shape BRL-CAD Bryce CAD Query CADKEY CATIA Cimatron Cinema 4D DelCAM Dust CAD EdgeCAM FastShip/FastYacht Form-Z Free CAD Fusion 360 GLC-Player Files Infini-3D IntelliCad JewelCAD K-3D Lightwave Make Human Mandelbulb 3D - Fractals Mastercam Maxsurf Maya Mechanical Desktop Mesh Magic MeshLab MeshMixer Microstation Moment of Inspiration NanoCAD OnShape Open Cascade Open JSCad Open SCAD PLASTICITY 3D Poser Pro/E Punch ViaCAD Python CAD QCAD Rocket3F Revit Rhino SALOME Sculptris SDRC IDEAS SelfCAD ShipConstructor SketchUp Sketchup Softimage Solid Edge Solid Python SolidWorks Solve Space STL 3dit SurfCAM Tinker CAD TrueSpace TurboCAD Unigraphics Vectary VectorWorks Vellum Voxel Made VRay Wings 3D ZBrushCoreMini
My Favorite | Name | OS | Files | Style | Cost | Ease of use | Features | Description | Video links |
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✔ | 3D Builder | Win | STL 3MF OBJ PLY GLTF GLB | Mesh | Free | Simple 3D non parametric modeling. Middle of the road, somewhat organic. Good for beginners. Able to open a 2D picture such as a .JPG or .PNG file and creata 3D object instantly. Create for Electron panels with hold, or cookie cutters. Big-Time big time saver! | |||
3D Crafter | Win | B3D CSV S SIG STC STK IA IGS IM BGL MDL POV RIB 3DC | Mesh | Free | Drag and drop 3D modeling with numeric input. Easy to use but does not export to STL. Good for beginners. | ||||
3D Orchard | Web | ? | Mesh | Free | Simple modeling need email to public. OK for beginners. | ||||
3D Slash | Web | online format | Mesh | Free..$20/mo | Simple Web based app, not as good as TinkerCAD. OK for beginners. Email to register | ||||
Alibre CAD | Win | STL SVG DXF STEP SAT DWG DXF PDF | Mesh | $149..$1999 | 3D Printing and CNC. Hobby to professional | ||||
AngelCAD | Win Mac Linux | ? | Mesh | Free | Another Script based 3D Modeler. With a unique language. See JSCad and OpenSCad
Primitives in AngelScript have direct matches in C++.
AngelScript C++ Size (bits) void void 0 int8 signed char 8 int16 signed short 16 int signed int (*) 32 int64 signed int64_t 64 uint8 unsigned char 8 uint16 unsigned short 16 uint unsigned int (*) 32 uint64 unsigned uint64_t 64 float float 32 double double 64 bool bool 8 (**) |
Angel Script Language | |||
Art of Illusion | Win Mac Linux | OBJ POV VRML AIO | Mesh | Free / Open Source | Art of Illusion is a full featured 3D modelling, rendering, and animation studio. It is written entirely in Java, and can run on almost any operating system. Exports to .OBJ | ||||
b |
Win Mac Linux | STL OBJ DAE ABD USD USDC USDA SVG PDF PLY XBF GLB GLTF X3D BLEND | Mesh | Free / Open Souce | A new Better UI on top of the blender engine!! Kudos! | bforartist (youtube) | |||
Blender 3D | Win Mac Linux | STL OBJ DAE ABD USD USDC USDA SVG PDF PLY XBF GLB GLTF X3D BLEND | Mesh Numeric entry | Free / Open Source | Very powerful 3D modler and animator. See bFORartists, blender Engine with a better UI | ||||
Brics CAD Shape | Win | DWG DXF (many versions) | Mesh | Free..$ | Shape is free. Other are much more expensive. a mix between Meh with data entry for parametric. Seems like it worth learning. Nonstanrd UI, ESC, r-click not as you'd expect. Have to enter command line data during mouse edits. | ||||
BRL-CAD | Win | ? | Mesh | Free | Use NSI Installer exe do not work. BRL-CAD is choice of U.S Military. For more than 20 years, BRL-CAD has been the primary tri-service solid modeling CAD system used by the U.S. military. | ||||
CAD Query | Win Max Linux | ? | Mesh | Free |
CadQuery is an intuitive, easy-to-use Python library for building parametric 3D CAD models. It has several goals:
Build models with scripts that are as close as possible to how you'd describe the object to a human, using a standard, already established programming language Create parametric models that can be very easily customized by end users Output high quality CAD formats like STEP and AMF in addition to traditional STL Provide a non-proprietary, plain text model format that can be edited and executed with only a web browser. |
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Dust CAD | Win Max Linux | OBJ ? | Mesh | Free | Dust CAD has unique UI, where you can drag 3D shapes to create a chain of objects. Seems easy to use | ||||
✔ | form-Z free and paid | Win Mac | STL and more | Mesh | Free..$ | Non-Commercial Free forever. Paid versions also. | YouTube channel Form-Z3d | ||
Free CAD | Win Max Linux | ? | Parametric 2D Extrude to 3D | Free | Does Most of what Solid works and AutoCAD can do, if you can figure it out. Complex and buggy, yet powerful. |
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Fusion 360 | Win Max Linux | ? | Parametric 2D Extrude to 3D | Free..$ | Hobby to professional. Free for hobbist and students. Old bagge UI. | ||||
GLC-Player Files | Win | STL | Viewer | Free / Open Source | Free Open Source App, STL viewer. Slicers will do the same. | ||||
K-3D | Win Max Linux | ? | Mesh | Free / Open Source | K-3D is free-as-in-freedom 3D modeling and animation software. It combines flexible plugins with a visualization pipeline architecture, making K-3D a versatile and powerful tool for artists. No STL export. Very Slow. | ||||
Magicavoxel | Win Mac Linux | OBJ and more | Mesh | Free | Design on a cube, open source very unique | ||||
✔ | Make Human | Win Mac Linux | STL DAE FLBX MHX2 OBJ | Mesh | Free | Design people! The STL files have Slicer errors than can be fixed using MeshLab. | |||
✔ | Mandelbulb 3D - Fractals | Win | ? | Fractals | Free | Unique Fractal software, one of its kind. | |||
MeshLab | Win | ? | Mesh | Free | Must have tool kit. Great for fixing geometry and normals, from apps like Make Human. | ||||
Mesh Magic | Win | ? | Mesh | Free | Typical NCH software, easy to use, limited functionality. Worth Keeping. "The most user friendly features of any 3D modeling software. I used this software to add a rectangular substrate to serve as a base for solid lettering and shapes that I had previously created. It took me all of five minutes." - MeshMagic User Review | ||||
Moment of Inspiration | Win | ? | Mesh | $300 | 3D modeling for designers and artists - looks like a one man operation, small site | ||||
✔ | MeshMixer | Win | ? | Mesh | Free | Another Free app from Autodesk | |||
NanoCAD | Win | ? | Parametric 2D extrude to 3D | $200 yr | Pricey at $200 year, but semi-popular. nanoCAD is a modern computer-aided design (CAD) platform that provides designers with powerful capabilities in 2D drafting and 3D modeling. nanoCAD can be used on its own as a cost-effective DWG-editor, or customized with essential modules: Construction, Mechanica, Raster, Topoplan and 3D Modeling. Old code still available. Last release December 2014. | ||||
Open Cascade | Win | ? | Mesh | Free..$ | 2D to 3D. Hobby to professional | ||||
OnShape | Win | ? | Mesh | Free..$ | Free personal edition. Popular on youtube. All your saved projects are PUBLIC !!! Compare with Free CAD. | ||||
Open JSCad | Web | Script | Mesh | Free / Open Source | Web based JavaScript CAD. jscad OpenJSCAD (native, import/export) scad OpenSCAD (experimental, import) stl STL format (experimental, import/export) amf AMF format (experimental, import/export) dxf DXF format (experimental, import/export) x3d X3D format (experimental, export) svg SVG format (experimental, import/export) |
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✔ | Open SCAD | Win Mac Linux | STL DXF | Script | Free / Open Source | OpenSCAD is software for creating solid 3D CAD models. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, Windows and Mac OS X. Unlike most free software for creating 3D models (such as Blender) it does not focus on the artistic aspects of 3D modelling but instead on the CAD aspects. Thus it might be the application you are looking for when you are planning to create 3D models of machine parts but pretty sure is not what you are looking for when you are more interested in creating computer-animated movies. OpenSCAD is not an interactive modeller. Instead it is something like a 3D-compiler that reads in a script file that describes the object and renders the 3D model from this script file. This gives you (the designer) full control over the modelling process and enables you to easily change any step in the modelling process or make designs that are defined by configurable parameters. OpenSCAD provides two main modelling techniques: First there is constructive solid geometry (aka CSG) and second there is extrusion of 2D outlines. Autocad DXF files can be used as the data exchange format for such 2D outlines. In addition to 2D paths for extrusion it is also possible to read design parameters from DXF files. Besides DXF files OpenSCAD can read and create 3D models in the STL and OFF file formats. | |||
PLASTICITY 3D | Win Mac Linux | Step OBJ c3d | Script | Free for now / $25 later semi-open Source |
This could be the killer APP for $25. So far the Beta 0.5 is pretty cool!! www.Plasticity.xyz
Plasticity is still in early BETA. So please bear in mind it's missing many features and not yet easy to use or install. ## CAD for artists Plasticity is a 3d modelling software for concept artists. Modelling in Plasticity is quick and efficient due to the unique gizmos, shortcuts, and thoughtful workflow. The goal of plasticity is to make working with NURBS like working with clay. **Plasticity is currently in BETA. It has a ton of bugs and missing features.** ## License Plasticity is COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE. It will cost money to buy when it reaches 1.0. The code in this repository is licensed under the LGPL. To goal is to allow users to inspect the source and (in the future) allow users to make their own modifications and/or develop plugins. HOWEVER, it dynamically links with a commercial software software that I have licensed for $$$$$$$$. That license imposes many restrictions on how the app can be distributed and what functionality is available to end users. Please do not redistribute the binary. #### FAQ **I am currently handling bugs and offering support only through Discord. You can email me for an invite.** #### About #### Development Plasticity is currently in the early stages of development with many more features to add and bugs to resolve. The project is currently in need of Beta Testers who can find and report bugs. Contact Nick Kallen nick@plasticity.xyz for a Discord community link. © 2022 Nicholas Kallen. All rights reserved. |
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Python CAD | Web | ? | Script | Free / Open Source | PythonCAD is a CAD package written, surprisingly enough, in Python using the PyQt interface. The PythonCAD project aims to produce a scriptable, open-source, easy to use CAD package for Linux (Cross Platforms). PythonCAD is a CAD package written, surprisingly enough, in Python using the PyQt interface. The PythonCAD project aims to produce a scriptable, open-source, easy to use CAD package for Linux (Cross Platforms). No License file. |
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QCAD | Win | ? | 2D Numeric entry | Free..$ | Hobby to professional. Remove DLL's from Demo to make Free version.
If you are looking for a 3D modeling CAD application, you will definitely have to look somewhere else. QCad is a 2D CAD program. That means that everything you draw is projected onto a plane. However, this does not imply that QCad is only suitable to represent 2D objects.
You can order QCAD Professional from our Online Shop and download the full version immediately. Alternatively, you can choose to remove the trial and use the reduced free QCAD Community Edition instead. These packages contain a free trial version of QCAD/CAM. You can order QCAD/CAM from our Online Shop and download the full version immediately. |
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Rhino | Win Mac | STL OBJ 3DM 3DMBAK RWS 3MF 3DS AMF SAT AI DWG DXF DAE CD X E57 DSTEXP EMF WEMF DSTEXP OFF GF GFT PM KMZ GTS IGS IGES LWO DGN UDO FBX SCN CSV X_T PDF PLY ASC CSV XYZ PTS CGO_ASCII CGO_ASCI TXT POV RAW M PTS RIB SVG SKP SLC SLDPRT SLDASM STP STEP VDA WRL VRML IV GDF WMF X3DV XAML XGL ZPR | Mesh | $95..$995 |
Rhino can create, edit, analyze, document, render, animate, and translate NURBS curves, surfaces and solids, subdivision geometry (SubD), point clouds, and polygon meshes. There are no limits on complexity, degree, or size beyond those of your hardware.
Uninhibited free-form 3D modeling tools like those found only in products costing 20 to 50 times more. Model any shape you can imagine. Accuracy needed to design, prototype, engineer, analyze, and manufacture anything from an airplane to jewelry. Compatibility with all your other design, drafting, CAM, engineering, analysis, rendering, animation, and illustration software. Read and repair meshes and extremely challenging IGES files. Accessible. So easy to learn and use that you can focus on design and visualization without being distracted by the software. Fast, even on an ordinary laptop computer. No special hardware is needed. Development platform for hundreds of specialty 3D products. Affordable. Ordinary hardware. Short learning curve. Affordable purchase price. No maintenance fees. Rhino for Mac: The world's most versatile 3D modeler, available on macOS. |
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  | Rocket3F | Win | .vws .obj .dae .fbx .dxf | 3D Super easy to use. Free Version does everything including crash a lot! One man show, the guy is a genius, but seems very unsupported. | Free..$ | A sleeper, hardly known but this UI puts AutoCad to shame.
Imports .obj into Prusa slicer nicely.
Youtube Part 1 Youtube Part 2 Youtube Part 3 Youtube Part 4 Youtube Part 5 Youtube Part 6 Youtube Part 7 Youtube Part 8 Youtube Part 9 Youtube Part 10 Youtube Part 11 Youtube Rocket 3F Youtube Rocket 3F All Rocket 3F Videos |
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SALOME | Win Mac Linux | ? | Mesh | Free Open Source |
Numerical simulation in industry requires the use of high performance methods in fluid mechanics, structural mechanics, electromagnetism, and others. The SALOME platform provides engineers/researchers/practitioners with a solution that allows them to benefit from high-level modules targeting: CAD, meshing, coupling of phenomena, visualisation, calculation supervision, uncertainties, etc, thereby aiding the overall pipeline of a numerical simulation. These modules can be directly used by easy-to-use GUI of SALOME or via Python scripts. If desired, users can build domain-specific applications/softwares by assembling these modules to the needs of the numerical simulation.
Developed collaboratively, SALOME is available under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL). The dynamic evolution of SALOME ensures optimal use of computer resources: cluster, HPC, graphics. SALOME is extensively used by EDF, France and CEA, France, to carry out studies necessary for the proper functioning of their facilities and for research work in their field in an efficient manner. Moreover, more than 150 thousand downloads from multiple countries in the year 2021 alone, suggests that SALOME is surely being deployed as a tool for engineering and research purposes around the globe. Keeping our wide user base in mind, SALOME promotes the sharing of knowledge and practices to guarantee a high level of expertise for users. |
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SelfCAD | Win | ? | Mesh | Free..$ | Hobbist Free version
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Solid Python | Win Max Linux | ? | Script | Free | Solid Python works on top of OpenSCad. | ||||
Sculptris | Win | ? | Mesh | Free |
Sculptris free download. Always available from the Softonic servers Free and fast download Always available Tested virus-free |
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Silo / Milo | Win | ? | Mesh | $127 | Two great apps, one great price! Get Milo free with a purchase of Silo. Available for Windows and MacOS. | ||||
SketchUp | Win | ? | Mesh | Free..$ | Everything you used to get get with Free Web-based 3D modeler Mobile model viewer 10GB cloud storage |
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Solid Python | Win, Max Linux | ? | Mesh | Free..$ | Everything you get with Free Web-based 3D modeler Mobile model viewer 10GB cloud storage |
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Snapmaker Luban | Win Mac Linux | OBJ and more | Mesh | Free | Open Source CAM driver for Printer, Laser and CNC. Not a design app. | ||||
Solve Space | Win | STL DXG PDF SVG STEP | Mesh | Free |
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Strata | Win Mac | Various | Mesh | $$ | Many great app to choose from. All paid versions. Available for Windows and MacOS. | ||||
STL 3dit | Win Max Linux | STL STLX | Mesh | Free / Open Source | An STL model viewer, editor, and creator for manipulating STL files. This software allows a person to open, edit, create, modify, view, and save 3D STL models. It can also be used to extrude 2D images into 3D objects. You can also insert 3D closed primitives. The new STLX file format supports groups, materials, as wells as colors and generates much smaller files on average (compared to binary STL files). NOTE: This latest build targets only 64-bit Windows Operating Systems due to the necessity of being able to manage (and navigate) very large 3D models. Use the mouse and keyboard to move the camera around. | ||||
  | Tinker CAD | Web | ? | Mesh | Free | Web Based. Super popular very easy to use, another Audodesk app. Everyone should learn UI from this app. | |||
TurboCAD TurboCAD 32bit TurboCAD 64bit | Win | TCW, STL OBJ DXF and more | 2D 3D | $249 .. $1499 | A nice program thats showing its age. Interesting history on Wikipeadia. Can
find Deluxe for half price or better with some shopping. Uninstall leave many exe in AppData/ROaming
and a lot of Registry Entries. Pretty Sloppy Install / Uninstall. Once youinstall a Platinum demo you can never try
any other demo, such as Deluxe. Uninstall leans behind hundred of registy entries and AppData Romaing files.
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Vectary | Win | ? | Mesh | Free | Web based. Bringing unlimited creativity to 3D design. No downloads, no coding - all in the browser. $0 starter package. | ||||
✔ | ViaCAD 2D/3D V12 | Win / Mac | 3MF, ES, FACT, 3D PDf, DWF, DXF, RAW, STL (Ascii & Binary many options), OBJ and more | Mesh | Under $200 | Low cost easy to use, has most feture you need for a great price. Very good bang for the buck. Imports into Prusa Slice without any issues. My Go to app! | |||
✔ | ViewSTL.com | Web | STL | Viewer | Free | Web based STL viewer. | |||
✔ | Wings 3D | Win Max Linux | STL OBJ NDO 3DS BZW GLTF GLB EPS SVG JSCAD LWO LVO RWX WRL X WINGS | Mesh | Free | Wings 3D is an advanced subdivision modeler that is both powerful and easy to use. Originally inspired by Nendo and Mirai from Izware, Wings 3D has been developed since 2001, when Bjorn Gustavsson (bjorng) and Dan Gudmundsson (dgud) first started the project. Richard Jones (optigon) maintained Wings and coded many new features between 2006 and 2012. Wings 3D is currently maintained by Dan with the help of the great community. Wings 3D offers a wide range of modeling tools, a customizable interface, support for lights and materials, and a built-in AutoUV mapping facility. There is no support in Wings for animation. Wings 3D is written in Erlang, an open source, functional programming language distributed by Ericsson. |
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xNormal | Win | ? | Texture | Free | Bake Textures. A unique app for your toolkit.
Q: What is xNormal?
A: xNormal is a free app to bake texture maps ( like normal maps and ambient occlusion ). Q: Which are the minimum requisites to execute the application? A: 4Gb of RAM, a x86_64 CPU, DirectX 10-compatible GPU and Windows 7 (or above). |
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ZBrushCoreMini | Win Mac | STL and more | Mesh | Free..$ | Non-Commercial Free forever. Paid versions seem like the professional organic 3D modeler for artists. |