The best free product design tools are FreeCAD and Blender, though they’re very different. FreeCAD is for precise mechanical and industrial product design. But you can use Blender if your product is an organic model or anything that doesn’t need mechanical precision. 

For paid options, there are professional options like Fusion 360, Inventor, Rhino 3D, and Solidworks.

To help you make the right choice, we’ll also cover the main factors to consider when picking software for your product design projects, and some frequently asked questions if you’re just getting into the industry. 

But first, it’s important to clarify that their product design software consists of two different categories.

The Two Types of Product Design Software

There are two types of product design software:

1. CAD
2. 3D software (mesh)

3D software is on the art side, while CAD is on the engineering side. If your product is about aesthetics, you should use 3D software, but if your product is about physical precision, use CAD.

For example, if you’re designing a jar that looks like a rabbit, use 3D software, but if you’re designing gears that fit together, go with CAD. You can also use 3D software in the ideating stage of product design to get a fast and photo-realistic visual of the product.

Many people might tell you they can design with utmost precision in 3D software. But in my experience, 3D software is useless for making precise parts. CAD designs are built with vectors, while 3D software uses meshed surfaces.

The bottom line is that although you can find many photo-realistic engine designs and other product designs that look tremendous in a 3D software, it’s just that. These are designs that artistically look good, but when it comes to actually making that product, they’re nothing more than a good-looking visual.

Best Product Design Software for Artistic Products 

1. Blender – Best Free Software for Artistic Products

• Price: Free
• Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux

If you’re looking for the best product design software for art that’s completely free and open source, it’s hard to look past Blender.

Blender is an exceptional free modeling software that’s used for everything from animation and VFX to video editing and product design. However, it’s not CAD, so it can’t be used for product design on the engineering level. 

Available on Windows, Mac & Linux, it provides various designing tools, including 2D sketching and sculpting, with second-to-none renderings for bringing your models to life. 

It also has some nice features for streamlining the product development process. For example, you can use automatic modifiers like the “subdivision surface” modifier to smooth a shape along with tons of other modifiers.

Bear in mind that Blender is a powerful software, and has a steep learning curve – and this is without the support you get with some paid programs, so it can be daunting for beginners. There’s a great community though if you are stuck.

On the other hand, there is also a very active user community around Blender and a marketplace through which you can purchase custom scripts.

2. SketchUp – Best For Interior Designers and Architects 

• Price: Free/Paid
• Compatibility (Desktop Version): Windows, MacOS

SketchUp is the most beginner-friendly software I recommend on this list. It’s a 2D and 3D software that’s more basic than Blender, but is very well-designed and simple to use, so it’s easier to learn. Although many people call it CAD, SketchUp is not CAD –  and you can’t use it for precision-sensitive products.

SketchUp is excellent for architects and interior designers, and it’s much easier to use than CAD software like AutoCAD. You can easily make buildings, walls, rooms with decors and cabinets and even walk inside the model. Woodworkers, beginner animators, cabinet makers, and many more also use SketchUp for its good renders, ease of use, and excellent 3D warehouse.

The 3D warehouse is SketchUp’s library of about 5 million ready models that you can access to import into your designs.

There is an unlimited free version of SketchUp with storage limits, and fewer features than the paid options, but the paid options are also affordable, starting from $95 a year. Subscribers to paid licenses get access to more advanced capabilities such as experience reality headset viewing of your models and 360° panoramic renderings. All paid versions are compatible with iPad, Windows, and Chromebook.

SketchUp is available both online and offline, though the free version is online only. SketchUp is also available on Mac and iPad. The iPad app is a good option if you want to use a stylus for product designing, as few other programs have this functionality.

Best Product Design Software for Engineered Products

3. FreeCAD: Best Free Product Design Software

• Price: free
• Compatibility: Windows, macOS, and Linux

If you’re into product design and don’t want to spend on software, FreeCAD is for you.

It’s a capable 3D parametric modeler, so you can design parts and other engineered products. You can simulate assembly animations and even use its FEM workbench to perform mechanical simulations (like FEA analysis) on your designed parts. 

Another advantage is that since FreeCAD is open source, programmers can add special capabilities to their software with Python programming.

So, what’s the catch? 

For one thing, FreeCAD has a steeper learning curve than similar software like Fusion 360 and SolidWorks. It has a large and active community of users, but the UI itself is not as beginner-friendly.

FreeCAD also doesn’t have an assembly workbench, though there are plugins for it. An assembly workbench is the core of making complicated products that are assembled from many parts, but FreeCAD is not great with large designs. This is part of the reason FreeCAD is not used extensively in the industry. But for indies and designers making simpler products, you can’t argue with extensive design features for free.

Another drawback is that FreeCAD is not good for direct modeling at all. So, if you want to go down that road, you should take a look at Rhino.

4. Fusion 360 – Best Product Design App for Beginner-Level Design 

• Price: free for personal use, $680 yearly, from $85 monthly 
• Compatibility: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Chrome OS

Autodesk’s Fusion 360 is another of the most popular and best 3D product design software on the market. The price has been on the rise for the past two consecutive years. In 2024, it experienced a 25% increase going from $545 to $680. 

But despite this, Fusion 360 is still the best bang for the buck among all CAD (except FreeCAD, which is free). 

As is typical of Autodesk software, Fusion 360 is well-designed and very intuitive, which makes it a favorite of both hobbyists and professionals alike. There are also loads of tutorials and guides online to help you get started. 

Plus, as it’s cloud-based it’s ideal for collaboration. It also offers a high-quality iOS app that supports over 50 different 2D & 3D CAD formats, so it’s perfect for designing on your iPad.

It’s a multi-functional program built for CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB modeling operations within a single design suite, usable for every step in the product design and manufacturing workflow.

However, although Fusion’s design tools are as advanced as mid-level CADs like SolidWorks, Fusion 360 is not as robust for larger assemblies. So, if you’re designing products with many parts, Inventor or SolidWorks are better. 

Fusion 360’s base version offers a wide range of advanced design and 3D modeling tools for creating high-quality, precise products and then simulating them in 3D to test against real-world conditions. However, if you’re really serious about product design, you should also consider the Fusion 360 Product Design Extension.

This is fairly costly at $72 a month, but offers a variety of features designed to automate and simplify the product design process, so it can help to improve both the efficiency and accuracy of your work.

5. Autodesk Inventor – Best for Mechanical Product Design

• Price: from $318 a month
• Compatibility: Windows

While Fusion 360 is more of a general-purpose CAD/CAM software, Inventor is specifically tailored to mechanical design, so it’s a popular option among professional engineering designers for industrial design. This is an excellent mid-level CAD for product design, and offers better value for money than its rival SolidWorks.

This is a powerful and flexible software that offers a mix of parametric, direct, freeform and rules-based design, so it’s perfect for designing complex shapes for mechanical parts.

On top of that, it has a range of integrated tools for designing things like sheet metal, cables, and piping. Thanks to the DWG compatibility and model-based definition capabilities, manufacturing information is embedded directly into your designs.

Inventor allows you to simulate your designs in real-world conditions and optimize accordingly, and it has built-in collaboration tools allowing for easy feedback from colleagues and stakeholders.

There are also a variety of tools designed to streamline workflows and improve efficiency. For example, you can use the iLogic feature to automate tasks, and you can use the Forge Design Automation API for processing jobs in the cloud.

Another benefit of using Autodesk software like Investor is that it’s integrated with other Autodesk programs, like Fusion 360 and AutoCAD, so you can combine the capabilities of each.

6. Rhino 3D – Best CAD for Product Designs Combining Aesthetics and Precision 

• Price: from $995 for perpetual license 
• Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Rhino 3D is a well-known product design and 3D modeling software that’s been on the market for over 20 years. It’s one of the most unique CADs out there. 

We said earlier in the article that you should use 3D software for aesthetics, and CAD for precision. What if you wanted both? Then you should use Rhino because it’s a perfect mix of CAD and flexible artistic capabilities. 

Unlike other CAD software on this list, Rhino focuses on direct modeling and NURBS surfaces. This relieves the user from the grip of “constraints” and allows Rhino to offer tremendous tools for freeform modeling. The user can treat the model like forming clay.

Rhino’s Grasshopper tool also allows node-based limited parametric modeling. Therefore, Rhino’s flexibility for artistic design combines with the precision of CAD. This is a perfect mix for tons of product designers. However, it also means that Rhino is not a great tool for complex mechanical parts.

So, if you’re designing toys, jewelry, surface boards, or anything that’s not mechanically too complex yet looks beautiful, Rhino is your friend. It’s no surprise that Rhino is very popular among jewelers.

Other 3D modeling techniques used in this software include point clouds, subdivision geometry, and polygon meshes (bear in mind this means the software is not suited to 2D designing). As well as modeling, Rhino 3D can be used for high-quality rendering, animations, drawing, and product documentation.

There are many examples of Rhino 3D being used for product design online, for example, here’s some for designing a hairdryer, computer mouse, and an iron. Rhino has an active user community, where you can engage with other users, get help and learn how to carry out different functions with the program, and check out other users’ creations.

7. Solidworks – Industry-Standard for Mid-Level Product Design 

• Price: Starting from about $3,995 to about $8,000 for perpetual license

Solidworks is one of the best-known CAD and CAE software for industrial designers, and is used by professionals around the world to create everything from airplane parts to medical devices.

The Solidworks manufacturing design software is part of Dassault Systemes’ 3DExperience platform. This is a collaborative environment that aims to simplify the design process and increase innovation through a variety of ways. 

It provides all the design tools you need, from conceptualization through to modeling, including easy-to-use sketching tools, integrated and free-form parametric modeling, direct editing that transforms both native and imported geometry, and unrivaled renderings that provide realistic depictions of how your products will look.

Solidworks then aims to bring teams together on its cloud platforms, so you can easily collaborate and collect stakeholder concept feedback, with all data stored securely and available anywhere. 

Despite being one of the most advanced software for product design, Solidworks is also one of the best-designed, with a very user-friendly interface. It also has a buzzing user community – one downside is it’s unavailable on Mac and Chromebook. 

Another major drawback for SolidWorks is its price. It’s the most expensive of the mid-level CAD software.

What Can You Do With Product Design Software?

• Precise designs that are compatible with all manufacturing machines like 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters, molds, etc.
• Complete control over every structural and aesthetic aspect of your products. 
• Create unlimited revisions, all of which are saved and reflected instantly in models. 
• View designs in photorealistic renderings & simulate them in real-world conditions. 
• Automate and simplify the design process to improve efficiency.
• Easily share projects and collaborate with colleagues and clients. 

While free and cheap programs typically have more limited tools for industrial design, you also have software like Blender which is completely free and open-source, yet very advanced.

So, you need to take a deep dive into a program’s capabilities to see if it’s suitable for you. As an example, let’s look at Blender in comparison to Solidworks, one of the most expensive and best software for product design.

While both are very high quality, there are some fundamental differences between the two (aside from price). 

Blender uses mesh-based 3D modeling, while Solidworks uses parametric modeling. This means Blender is better for creating organic models, while Solidworks is better for mechanical drawing and manufacturing using defined parameters and constraints.

Product design is a very varied and wide-ranging process, and what you can do with software isn’t solely defined by how much cash you can spend, so make sure you really explore a program’s capabilities before signing up.

How To Pick

CAD or Mesh?

This is the most important thing to consider – and is all about precision. 

3D mesh software like Blender is perfect for organic models and any design where aesthetics are more important than precision. However, if you’re designing mechanical products for manufacturing, then you should use CAD.

Compatibility

While most software runs on Windows, if you’re using Mac, iOS, Android, or Chromebook, you’ll need to make sure a product development platform supports your operating system before signing up. Some programs, like SketchUp and Fusion 360, are available on all major operating systems. 

Features & Functionality

The most important step is finding a product design software solution that has the capabilities you need. 

Are you looking for both 2D and 3D design? Do you want to use organic models, like in Blender, or parametric models, like in Solidworks? Are you looking for a program like Fusion 360 that supports CAD and CAM as well as CAE and PCB? These are the types of questions you need to ask yourself. 

Rendering Quality 

Every designer wants high-quality 3D renderings that bring their models to life in photorealistic quality, and this is especially important to pros. However, the better the graphics and rendering, typically the higher the cost. This isn’t always the case, as Blender is free and has high-quality rendering, but other top rendering programs like Solidworks come at a pretty high cost.

Software like SketchUp also offers options like panoramic and interactive augmented reality renderings which can provide different perspectives on your designs. 

Usability & Training

This is especially important for beginners, as many product design software are complex and have a steep learning curve. If you’re new to product design, look for software that are designed to be user-friendly, offer support and training, and have active user communities where you can more through forums. 

SketchUp is one of the most beginner-friendly product design software, while Fusion 360 is another intuitive program that can be quicker to learn than others like Rhino 3D.

Budget & Free Trial

As you can see from our reviews, the price for top product design software varies widely, and many programs have various license options with different features. Luckily, there are some free options like Blender and SketchUp, and the majority of paid programs offer free trials, so it’s always recommended to use this and thoroughly test the software before you drop a large amount of money.

FAQs

Related posts:

• Best Open-Source CAD Software & Active Communities
• What is CAD? Common Questions Answered
• Free 3D Printing CAD Software For Beginners and Experts
• Car and Automotive Design Software (2D and 3D)
• Free Furniture Design Software

Best Budget Anycubic Resin Printer	Best Large Anycubic Resin Printer	Best Anycubic FDM 3D printer
Anycubic Photon Mono 2	ANYCUBIC Photon M3 Max	Anycubic Kobra 2
3DSourced Rating:	3DSourced Rating:	3DSourced Rating:
Primary Rating: 4.5	Primary Rating: 4.6	Primary Rating: 4.7
Build Volume: 165 x 143 x 89 mm	Build Volume: 298 x 164 x 300 mm	Build Volume: 250 x 220 x 220 mm
$209	$959.99	$339
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Best Budget Anycubic Resin Printer

Anycubic Photon Mono 2

3DSourced Rating:

Primary Rating:

4.5

Build Volume:

165 x 143 x 89 mm

$209

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Best Large Anycubic Resin Printer

ANYCUBIC Photon M3 Max

3DSourced Rating:

Primary Rating:

4.6

Build Volume:

298 x 164 x 300 mm

$959.99

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Best Anycubic FDM 3D printer

Anycubic Kobra 2

3DSourced Rating:

Primary Rating:

4.7

Build Volume:

250 x 220 x 220 mm

$339

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Overall, the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 is the best Anycubic resin 3D printer. It’s ideal for low-cost resin printing, as it’s a consistent and reliable resin printer. For bigger resin prints, the Photon M3 Max is excellent.

The Anycubic Kobra as the best Anycubic FDM 3D printer. I’ve tested both the Kobra and Vyper and the Kobra is better overall. There’s also the brand-new Kobra 2, as well as the Kobra Max for large prints.

1. Anycubic Mono 2 – Cheapest Anycubic Resin Printer (For Beginners)

• Price: Check latest price at Anycubic here / Amazon here
• Build Volume: 165 x 143 x 89 mm
• Screen resolution: 4K+ LCD
• XY resolution: 34 microns
• Screen size: 6.6″
• Average Printing Speed: 50 mm/hr
• Connectivity: USB

The Anycubic Mono 2 is a 4K resin printer ideal for those on a very tight budget. You will be sacrificing a little in terms of build quality, but you’ll get crisp, detailed prints for under $200 with excellent 35-micron XY resolution! 

It’s compact, so it’s perfect if you don’t have your own dedicated workshop, though this limits how many minis and small figurines you can print, due to a fairly small 165 x 143 x 89 mm build volume.

I also recommend it if you’re a beginner to resin printing. It’s very easy to set up, so I’m confident you won’t be put off even if you haven’t set up a resin printer before.

If you’re choosing between the Mono 2 and Mono 4K, the main differences are the Mono 2’s 20% larger build volume. It’s also fitted with a laser-engraved build plate to improve layer adhesion, compared to the brushed metal on the Mono 4K.

The Mono 2 has an upgraded matrix light array for more uniform curing than the Mono 4K, and the 4K+ LCD is 4096 x 2560 pixels, compared to the Mono 4K’s 3840 x 2400 pixels, resulting in more detail, especially on smaller models like miniatures. Overall, get the Mono 2 over the Mono 4K – especially if you’re a beginner.

However, if the Mono 2 isn’t big enough for you, go for the Anycubic Photon M3 – it’s only a slight downgrade in XY resolution to 40 microns. For even more build volume, there’s the Photon M3 Plus and Max.

Best Budget Resin 3D Printer

Anycubic Photon Mono 2

4.5

One of the best budget resin 3D printers out right now - ideal for beginners who want a low-cost entry into resin printing. You won't get the same level of quality as in the Elegoo Saturn range, but it's a great starting point.

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2. Anycubic Photon M3 – Great General Purpose Resin Printer

• Price: Check latest price at Anycubic here / Amazon here
• Build Volume: 180 x 170 x 102 mm
• Screen resolution: 4K+ LCD
• XY Resolution: 40 microns
• Screen size: 7.6″
• Speed: 50mm/hr

The base Anycubic Photon M3 brings high-quality 4K resin printing at an affordable price. It’s compact and designed for creating decorative pieces such as figurines, tabletop gaming minis, and models on a budget.

The 180 x 170 x 102 mm build volume is large enough for all but the biggest resin projects, and the 40-micron XY resolution means rich detail and features. 4K+ LCD resolution is good, but in recent times has been dwarfed by the affordable 6K and 8K printers that have released. 

Though, the M3’s combination of decent size, very competitive quality, and low price make it one of the most popular resin printers in the world.

Optionally, you can upgrade to the Photon M3 Premium. This is the first M3 printer with an 8K LCD, pushing XY resolution to 28.5 microns. The build volume is 219 x 123 x 250 mm, slightly bigger than M3 Plus. 

Best Budget Anycubic Resin Printer

Anycubic Photon M3 Resin 3D Printer

$209

This budget-friendly powerhouse delivers an extra-large 180 x 163 x 102mm build area perfect for printing batches of detailed miniatures.

Experience speedy 50mm/hr print speeds and crisp 40 micron resolution from the impressive 4K LCD screen.

Simple, reliable, and user-friendly, the Photon M3 makes resin printing more accessible than ever.

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3. Photon M3 Max – Best Large Resin Printer

• Price: Check latest price at Anycubic here / Amazon here
• Build Volume: 298 x 164 x 300 mm
• Screen resolution: 7K LCD
• XY resolution: 46 micron
• Screen size: 13.6″
• Speed: 60 mm/h

The Anycubic Photon M3 Max has a massive 298 x 164 x 300 mm, positioning it as a large-format printer suitable for small businesses and enthusiasts to keep up with commercial demands and batch production. 

The M3 Max ups the resolution to 7K, and while you expect to lose resolution over such a large print area, it still offers 46-micron XY resolution. However, this comes with a drop in print speed down to 60 mm/h.

Large Volume Pick

ANYCUBIC Photon M3 Max Resin 3D Printer, 13.6 7K UV LCD

$959.99

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4. Anycubic Mono M5s – Highest Quality Resin Printer

• Price: Check latest price at Anycubic here / Amazon here
• Build Volume: 200x218x123mm
• Screen resolution: 12K LCD
• XY resolution: 19 x 24 micron
• Screen size: 10.1″
• Average Printing Speed: 70 mm/hr (general resin) / 105 mm/hr (high speed resin)
• Connectivity: USB, WIFI

The Photon M5s is a new Anycubic printer, with 12K resolution that promises the highest level of detail and surface finish out of the Mono range.

The printer also offers a fantastic 19 x 24 micron XY resolution capable of printing details on par with the thickness of an individual strand of hair. In some of my other resin printer reviews, I’ve said that even 2K LCD screens produce great quality details, and that the differences between 4K and 8K screens is not enormous until close up. But, this level of quality really does make the difference on the M5s. 

The M5s is therefore ideal for batch-producing miniatures and figurines. It’s also one of the fastest resin printers on the market today with a speedy 105 mm/hr.

Other new features include an array of sensors, including some on the build plate itself, that constantly monitor for common failures such as the print peeling off the film, layer separation, and resin running out mid-print. The Photon M5s also gathers up data to pinpoint the cause of these failures, offering up troubleshooting tips to avoid them for future prints. 

Additionally, the Photon M5s’s leveling-free feature has the printer automatically adjust the height of the build plate thanks to a mechanical sensor on the cantilever arm. This reduces failures and cuts down on wasted resin.

5. Kobra 2 – Best FDM Pick

• Price: Check latest price at Anycubic here / Amazon here
• Printing Dimensions: 250 x 220 x 220 mm
• Max nozzle temperature: 260℃
• Max heated bed temperature: 110℃
• Filament compatibility: PLA/ABS/PETG/TPU
• Average Printing Speed: 150 mm/s (up to 250mm/s)
• Data Input: Micro SD card

Most recently, the Anycubic Kobra 2 has hit the market, improving the Kobra in almost every way while still keeping that easy-of-use but high-quality printing experience intact. 

It features a new auto bed leveling system with auto z-offset adjustment for even better calibration than the original Kobra. Elsewhere, the cooling is upgraded with a chunky blower fan that aids tricky print features like overhangs.

Last but not least, the Anycubic Kobra 2 is five times faster, reaching speeds up to 250 mm/s with little to no loss in print quality, a real novelty in this price range. If you’re looking to save time, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced maker, the Anycubic Kobra 2 brings high-speed printing to the budget category at a price most of us can afford.

It’s significantly better than the original Kobra, and it’s also better than the Anycubic Vyper, which I’ve also tested hands-on for 3DSoured. It’s fine, but the Kobra 2 is better – and the one to buy if you want an Anycubic FDM printer.

Best FDM Kit Under $300

Anycubic Kobra 2

Improved, upgraded version of the original Kobra, with much faster print speeds, good auto leveling, and a reliable direct drive extruder.

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6. Kobra Plus and Max – For Large FDM Printing

• Price for Kobra Plus: Check latest price at Anycubic here / Amazon here
• Price for Kobra Max: Check latest price at Anycubic here / Amazon here
• Build Volume: 300 x 300 x 350 mm (Plus) / 400 x 400 x 450 mm (Max)
• Max nozzle temperature: 260 °C (Plus) / 260 °C (Max)
• Max heated bed temperature: 100 °C (Plus) / 90 °C (Max)
• Filament compatibility: PLA, ABS, TPU, PETG

The Kobra Plus switches to a Bowden extruder that makes flexible printing trickier, and has a carborundum glass bed, and a much roomier 300 x 300 x 350 mm. 

Even larger is the Kobra Max, with a massive 400 x 400 x 450 mm build volume. This is for those that want all the convenience of the base Kobra, but for huge printing projects, such as cosplay masks or other large prints.

Affordable Pick for Hobbyists

Anycubic Kobra Max

4.0

This user-friendly workhorse delivers an enormous 450 x 400 x 450mm build volume perfect for printing epic cosplay armor, props, and more.

Achieve smooth 50 micron resolution prints thanks to auto bed leveling and a stable dual Z-axis.

Simple 10-minute assembly makes printing fast and easy right out of the box!

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FAQs

Which Anycubic 3D printer should I buy?

The best Anycubic FDM printer to buy is the Anycubic Kobra, while the best resin Anycubic printer right now is the Anycubic Photon Mono 2. Both offer solid print quality and performance at a budget-friendly price, and are easy to use for both beginners and experienced makers. The Anycubic Mono M5s is the best resin printer if you’re after the highest quality prints.

Does Anycubic make good 3D printers?

Yes, Anycubic is among the most respected big-name 3D printer manufacturers. They offer high-quality budget-friendly printers known for good build quality and ease-of-use, and feature on many of our ‘best’ lists.

What is the best budget Anycubic 3D printer?

The best budget Anycubic FDM printer is the Anycubic Kobra, a low-cost, sophisticated printer capable of high quality prints packed with desirable features such as automatic bed leveling, a direct drive extruder, and mid-sized build volume.

The best budget Anycubic resin printer is the Anycubic Photon Mono 2, one of the easiest up-and-print models on the market today that produces highly-detailed and feature-rich prints with very little effort.

How active is Anycubic’s user community for tips and troubleshooting?

With over 40k users in the Anycubic Official User Group on Facebook and around 18k on the Anycubic reddit group, the Anycubic user community is extremely active. 

Owners regularly share tips and tricks and offer troubleshooting advice for specific problems. These groups cover everything from upgrades and troubleshooting, to sharing successful prints and the optimal settings.

What technical support does Anycubic offer if I have issues?

Anycubic Support Center offers firmware and software downloads, guide videos covering everything from unbox to set by way of part replacement, user manuals, FAQs, warranty details, and free STL model files. 

There’s also after-sale service if you encounter defects, failures, and other issues. Owners that have used the service report mixed results, often citing slow response times. However, there are typically no issues replacing faulty products, and Anycubic will quickly send out replacement parts as required.

What software is compatible with Anycubic 3D printers?

Ultimaker Cura, Simplify3D, PrusaSlicer, Slic3r, and Octoprint are all compatible with Anycubic FDM printers. The most commonly used FDM slicers are Cura or PrusaSlicer (or Octoprint for remote management.

Anycubic resin 3D printers are compatible with Anycubic’s Photon Workshop slicer, along with ChiTuBox, and Lychee Slicer. ChiTuBox and Photon Workshop are most commonly used by Anycubic printer owners, and I personally use ChiTuBox.

Can Anycubic 3D printers be upgraded?

Yes, Anycubic FDM 3D printers can be upgraded to improve performance and print quality. The entire Anycubic Kobra family is especially well-suited to upgrades.

The basic Anycubic Kobra is widely seen as the most upgradeable, chiefly because of its popularity and open design. 

Typical upgrades include a filament runout sensor, improving the fan duct, spool holder upgrade, dampening feet, a monitoring camera using a Raspberry Pi SBC, and a printer enclosure to make printing filaments like ABS easier.

Articles we recommend:

• Elegoo Saturn vs Anycubic Photon Mono X
• Elegoo vs Anycubic resins
• Anycubic M3 vs Anycubic M3 Plus vs Anycubic M3 Max
• Anycubic Kobra vs Plus vs Max
• Anycubic Kobra review
• Best Elegoo 3D printers

All phones have decent enough cameras for basic photogrammetry, and the newest iPhones even have LiDAR depth sensors for accurate meshes.

I’ve tried a lot of these apps, and overall the best 3D scanning app is KIRI Engine. It has generous free limits (70 photos per scan, and 3 free exports per week), good quality, built-in AI features for removing background artifacts, and much more. Read on for my full in-depth reviews!

Best iOS and Android 3D Scanner Apps

1. KIRI Engine

• Price: Free (in-app purchases) — View here
• Platform/operating system: Android 7.0 and iOS 14.0
• Additional hardware requirements: None

KIRI Engine, by the makers of the successful Phiz 3D scanner, is my pick as the top 3D scanner app. It’s compatible with Android 7.0 or later and Apple devices that can run iOS 13.0 or later, meaning even your 5-year-old iPhone can use the app.

It’s also one of the only good Android 3D scanning apps on the Google Play store, so there’s finally a decent Android photogrammetry app you can use.

Generous Free Version

Unlike the restrictive freemium model of many competing 3D scanning apps, KIRI Engine is far more generous. KIRI gives you unlimited scans of up to 70 photos per object, and 3 free exports per week. 

The beauty of KIRI Engine is that it doesn’t rely on your phone’s hardware to process scans, instead using powerful cloud-based computing to do its photogrammetry.

AI 3D Scanning Features

With KIRI Engine, you snap a range of pictures of your chosen object from several angles. The photos are sent for processing and returned within minutes to the smartphone as high-resolution 3D scans brimming with detail and rich textures. 

KIRI Engine uses advanced AI to prevent potential issues caused by shifting light quality in user-captured photos, even under low light conditions. It also uses AI object masking to clean up any background noise in your scans, leaving you with just your scanned model.

Additionally, each scan houses comprehensive geometric and textural data, and it even gives you the option to download low-poly model versions.

The quality of the 3D scans makes them particularly suited to applications like visual effects, game design, animation, augmented reality, and 3D printing. 
KIRI Engine’s 3D scans can easily be exported to popular slicers such as Cura along with industry-leading 3D animation software suites such as Unreal Engine, Maya, Unity, Blender, and many more.

For example, here’s two ammonite fossils I scanned with great details:

The Pro Version

For professional uses, the paid Pro version gives you unlimited exports, up to 200 pictures per upload, an automatic noise removal function, and more. You also get quad mesh features, which are better than triangular neshes when measuring surface geometries.

You also get AI-generated PBR materials that improve the render quality of your scanned 3D model. 

There’s even a web version for more complex and high-quality scans, such as from any drone captures, or DSLR photos.

You can download KIRI Engine on the Google Play store here, and the App Store here.

2. ARitize360

• Price: Free one month trial, including one free scan/render then $10 monthly subscription fee + $39.99 per model scan/render
• Platform/operating system: iOS and Android
• Additional hardware requirements: None

ARitize360 is a mobile app compatible with iOS and Android devices for businesses looking to jazz up their e-shops with life-like 360° 3D models of their wares, chiefly shoes, and sneakers. With the app, real-world shoes can be viewed digitally by potential customers from all angles with the ability to zoom in and out.

To get the most out of ARitize360, you will need an existing photo setup, ideally with correct lighting and a turntable. From there, the app provides clear prompts to complete a scan relatively quickly. The app captures a video of the object and then converts it to a photo-realistic 3D model.

There’s also the non-negligible matter of cost. ARitize adopts a freemium model with both a monthly subscription and per-scan fee to consider once you’ve exhausted the free trial. These costs and the laser focus on online shoe sellers mean that ARitize, while a great tool, isn’t suited for everyday scanning for hobbyist ends or other applications such as medicine and architecture.

You can download ARitize360 on the Google Play store here, and the App Store here.

3. AR Plan 3D

• Price: Free (in-app purchases – £89.99 for premium version and $7.99 to remove adds)
• Platform/operating system: iOS and Android
• Additional hardware requirements: None

AR Plan 3D is a 3D scanner app for Android and iOS that makes measuring real-world spaces and rooms to create models and floor plans easy.

Using AR technology, the app uses a virtual tape measure beamed onto real-world surfaces to capture precise dimensions, even those on windows and doors. It can also automatically calculate square footage for floors and walls, perimeter, height, and more for quantity estimates or interior design. Results can be exported to a floor planner archive for easy reference or shared via email, social media, and more.

The app is essentially an AR tape measure rather than a standard 3D scanner, so applications are limited. If you have plans beyond home refurbishment, interior design, and decoration, AR Plan 3D quickly shows its limitations.

You can download AR Plan 3D on the App Store here, and the Google Play store here.

Best iOS 3D Scanner Apps

4. Qlone

• 3D scanner app price: Free, with in-app purchases
• Compatible with: iOS devices and Android devices

Available as both an iOS and Android free 3D scanning application, Qlone is a free 3D scanning tool that lets you try out the wonderful benefits of capturing stunning 3D models without breaking the bank. However, if you want to export your captured mobile 3D scans — for example as STL files to Sketchfab or Shapeways — you’ll need to pay $0.99 per scan, though posting your scans on social media is free.

Unlike 3D scanner apps like Trnio, Qlone’s mobile phone 3D scanning software creates scans placed on a printed piece of paper with a black and white grid – they call it an AR Mat – which differentiates the scanned object from the background. You can download and print the grid from their site. To 3D scan, simply move your phone’s camera over the object until Qlone’s AR dome finishes capturing all the required points, and it will then process your 3D model before allowing you to edit and improve it.

A major selling point is Qlone’s powerful editing suite. Once you’ve captured your 3D model, you can clean up any errors or captures in the background, edit the textures, and resize or recolor your scan.

Some users report errors and difficulties creating perfect scans in Qlone’s 3D scanning phone software. Smaller objects especially can distort, and other more complex structures can become deformed. However, for a free 3D scanning app that lets you practice and try out 3D scanning with your phone, Qlone is still a great option.

You can download Qlone on the App Store here, or on Google Play here.

5. Trnio

• 3D scanner app price: $4.99
• Compatible with: iOS devices only

Based on photogrammetry technology wherein photos are taken from every angle of the object and then stitched together to form a completed 3D model, Trnio turns your Apple device into a powerful handheld 3D scanner.

With three different ways to 3D scan – importing photos from your library, ARkit, or in Object Mode – Trnio is possibly the most versatile 3D scanner app out there. Built to be simple yet powerful, you can see your 3D scan take shape as you capture your object from each side via the dots that appear after each consecutive image taken, before stitching them together to create a cohesive 3D scan.

It’s definitely one of the easiest iOS 3D scanning apps to use, as it’ll even teach you how to 3D scan effectively by directing you where to move and scan for the best results during the scanning process. Cleaning up scans is fairly simple in Trnio’s 3D scanner app Preview mode. Simply crop and delete any background items that have been scanned along with your chosen object, and then turn your preview into a completed 3D model ready to be 3D printed or posted online.

Once you’ve scanned and cleaned up your chosen object, Trnio lets you seamlessly export your 3D model to Sketchfab – a well-known 3D printer file repository – and then download them from there. Beyond this, if you have friends who also create scans, you can connect with them via Trnio’s social platform within the app.

For a simple 3D scanner app Trnio is very powerful, able to capture even subtle textures within objects, and scans are generally very accurate and precise, with few errors. If the occasional error does occur, simply re-scan the object and it should work fine.

Compatible with iPhones, iPads, and iPods, you can start right away for $4.99 by downloading the app here.

6. Scandy Pro

• 3D scanner app price: Free to download, but unlimited scanning costs $1.99/week, $49.99/year
• Compatible with: iPhone X, XS, XS Max, XR, 11 & 11 Pro, and new iPad Pros (with TrueDepth sensor)

Scandy Pro is an advanced 3D scanning app that turns your iPhone or iPad into a powerful 3D scanner. Taking advantage of the new TrueDepth texture recording features on the newest iPhones and iPads, Scandy is one of the most professional 3D scanning phone apps available, capable of recording not only small static objects, but also moving body parts such as your face and head.

Scandy Pro allows you to scan objects in full color, and despite its advanced nature, Scandy is a simple-to-use app allowing you to produce precise 3D scans. The ability to preview your scan during the scanning process is a very nice touch, letting you see whether you’ve got good enough images of all angles to create a precise scan. This 3D scanner app allows you to view your models in AR if you so wish, and has an effective editor within the app to clean up your scans, for example by slightly altering point clouds.

For those who want to avoid a 3D scanning app with a paid subscription service to use it, Scandy Pro also offers a pay-as-you-go service similar to Qlone, charging you for each scan. However, if you are only scanning and exporting one 3D model per day/week, you can do that within Scandy Pro for free, and in many different file formats including STL, OBJ, and PLY.

You can download Scandy Pro on the App Store here.

7. Heges

• 3D scanner app cost: Free, with in-app purchases
• Compatible with: iOS devices with TrueDepth capabilities

Heges is an advanced iPhone 3D scanning app that uses your iPhone’s (or iPad’s) TrueDepth sensors to create accurate and fast 3D scans that can be made in full color and at different levels of precision.

If your iPhone isn’t new enough to have a TrueDepth scanner, don’t fret – you can share your screen to capture scans if you connect it to another iOS device that does have access to this scanner. The Heges team explains how to do this in more depth in their FAQ section.

Unlike many 3D scanners and scanning apps, Heges does not have set boundaries that limit the size of an object or area you can scan. Theoretically, if you have unlimited storage, you could record forever using Heges’ Infinite Scanning tool.

Some have found Heges difficult to use, but we found it to be very simple, for example when 3D scanning your face you can clearly see the point clouds and meshes filling in as you scan different angles of your face and head, so you gather instant feedback on where you need to hold your phone to get a better quality scan. After you’ve finished your scan, its AR compatibility means you can bring your scans to life.

For cleaning up and editing your 3D scans for 3D printing, the Heges team recommends using Meshmixer or Meshlab – we explain how these can help in our 3D printer software guide. Hobbyists who are privacy-inclined will also favor Heges for its promise to never keep any data from your scanning use.

You can download the Heges 3D scanning app on the App Store here.

8. ItSeez3D

• Price: Free (in-app purchases: export $6.99)
• Platform/operating system: iOS – iPad mini gen. 2 with Retina display, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad Air 2019, iPad Pro (9.7-inch, 10.5-inch, 11-inch, 12.9-inch) or iPad 5th or 6th Generation or newer models.
• Additional hardware requirements: Occipital Structure Sensor

Available exclusively for Apple iPad, ItSeezApp is a mobile 3D scanning app that aims to offer professional quality capture with next to no fuss. Load up the app and walk around your chosen subject guided by clear on-screen instructions. ItSeezApp then sends the data to the cloud to process highly realistic color 3D models.

ItSeezApp is particularly suited to capturing full-body scans and busts along with individual objects such as shoes, toys, furniture, and more, making it a strong option for hobbyists 3D printers, e-commerce applications, and 3D selfies/avatar creation.

ItSeez3D exports in OBJ, PLY, WRL formats with the option to share models via social media and even use advanced in-app tools to prep a scan for 3D printing. To use ItSeez3D and scan objects requires Occipital’s Structure Sensor, an additional iPad-mounted camera accessory that costs around $700.

You can download ItSeez3D here.

9. EM3D

• Price: Free (in-app purchases: full feature unlock $19.99, STL-OBJ export $6.99)
• Platform/operating system: iOS – iPhone and iPad with TrueDepth front facing camera technology
• Additional hardware requirements: None

EMD3D is a mobile app that taps into the front-facing TrueDepth camera tech found in many iPhones and iPads launched over the past few years to bring straightforward, lifelike 3D scanning to the masses.

It’s geared primarily to creating full color, 360° 3D selfies, and videos for personal use, and as such, there’s plenty of well-guided hand-holding to walk you through the whole process. Features include easy social media sharing, scan export to STL, PLY, and OBJ formats, support for Bluetooth shutter buttons, mesh toggling, scene reorientation, geometry removal, point cloud exporting, and automatic video creation, to name a few.

Due to the app relying solely on the front-facing camera, scanning anything other than selfies can be quite tricky. EM3D provides a 3D printable mirror adapter model or suggests you use the Mirror Saver mode on the app to view the screen using a secondary iOS device to simplify the process.

You can download EM3D here.

10. Polycam

• Price: Free (in-app purchase to export models)
• Platform/operating system: iOS – iPhone with LiDAR sensor or all post-2015 iPhones/iPads for photogrammetry 3D models
• Additional hardware requirements: None

Polycam is an iPhone 3D scanning app that aims to deliver compatibility with a broad range of Apple devices released as far back as 2015. It does this with two modes that employ different scanning techniques.

The first taps into the LiDAR sensor found on iPhones launched in 2020 and later to rapidly generate high-quality, full color, dimensionally accurate scans of objects and spaces. The second, available on all 2015 and later Apple devices, allows you to take photos of a chosen object or space, then convert them to highly-detailed 3D models using photogrammetry.

Polycam allows you to export captured scans in a range of formats such as OBJ, DAE, FBX, STL, and color point cloud data such as PLY, XYZ, and PTS. The app also offers editing options to create ready-to-use scans for various applications, including architecture, design, archeology, and more. You can even auto-generate blueprints and floor plans along with precise measurements.

You can download Polycam here.

11. Canvas

• Price: Free (in-app purchase for CAD/BIM formats)
• Platform/operating system: iOS – LiDAR-equipped iOS device for Canvas: LiDAR 3D Measurements or iPhone 8 or above for Canvas for Homeowners
• Additional hardware requirements: None

Canvas is a 3D room scanning app exclusively designed to capture spaces in 3D using no more than an iPhone or iPad to create accurate CAD models and floor plans. It dramatically simplifies measurement taking and interior modeling, ideal for home improvement applications, whether remodeling, contracting, interior design, or renovation.

In action, Canvas scans entire rooms in a matter of seconds, taking thousands of measurements in the process with up to 99% accuracy. From there, scans convert to various industry-standard CAD or other formats through Canvas’ paid Scan-To-CAD service. All scans can be revisited anytime through the cloud-based Canvas Web Viewer.

Canvas is available in two versions. The first, Canvas for Homeowners, is geared towards clients who want a quick and easy way to work remotely and provide useful scan data to contractors. The second, Canvas: LiDAR 3D Measurements for LiDAR-equipped iOS devices, is more powerful and accurate, designed for use by home improvement professionals.

You can download Canvas here.

12. 3DsizeME

• Price: Free
• Platform/operating system: iOS – iPad
• Additional hardware requirements: Occipital Structure Sensor

3DsizeME is an iOS 3D body scanner app for creating 3D digital models of the human body. Much like ItSeez3D, you’ll need an iPad paired with the $700 Occipital Structure Sensor mobile device accessory, which makes it primarily a professional-level tool for medical use in prosthetics, orthotics, and pedorthics.

With 3DsizeMe, you can scan all types of body parts from head to toe through a simple to use, intuitive interface that delivers high-quality 3D models for custom treatments, removing the need for time-consuming plaster casts or impression boxes. Scans export to MSoft, developer TechMed3D’s software to visualize models, add measurements, and otherwise touch up, align, and clip scans.

While a powerful tool, 3DsizeME isn’t an app suited to hobbyists or professionals in fields other than medicine. As such, its use is very limited.

You can download 3DsizeME here.

Best Android 3D Scanner Apps

13. Scann3D

• Price: Free (in-app purchases)
• Platform/operating system: Android
• Additional hardware requirements: None

Scann3D is an Android 3D scanner app that taps into photogrammetry to bring objects to life as accurate 3D models.

To scan, hold the phone towards the object, then snap a picture, move and take another, and so on until you’ve captured all angles – roughly 20-40 photos depending on the object. An image capture assistance mode is also there to help guide you to the best possible image set quality. You can then review the pictures on the app to weed out any blurs or errors, then put the app to work to stitch the images together to create a 3D model within minutes.

The app has an in-built model view to review scans directly on your device. You can also export models in several formats, including STL, OBJ, and PLY for 3D printing, or upload scans to social media and Sketchfab, for example. More detailed and textured scans are available if you sign up for one of several subscription options.

You can download Scann3D here.

Free 3D Scanner Apps — Others

14. Sony 3D Creator

• 3D scanner app price: Free
• Compatible with: Sony phones

Sony’s own foray into the mobile 3D scanning market was met with much excitement, as Sony 3D Creator was packaged with the Xperia XZ1 and advertised as the newest frontier in 3D cameras and scanning. As a result however, 3D Creator is only available as a 3D scanning app for Sony Xperia phones.

Based on the type of 3D scanning you intend to perform, 3D Creator offers five different 3D scanning modes: Selfie Mode, Head Scan, Face Scan, Food Scan, and a Freeform Scan option for more general object scanning. 3D scanning on your phone is made simple by the on-screen indicators informing you when you’ve correctly scanned a certain part of the object – such as your face – so you know when to move on to the next angle.

Many users report 3D Creator to be an effective 3D scanning app for inanimate, stationery objects, able to detect precise areas and differences between objects that do not require much cleaning. However, more issues are reported with the Face and Head Scan and Selfie modes, with facial features sometimes blurring together into an unrecognizable Frankenstein-esque deformity. It is still however a fantastic and easy to use 3D scanning app for Sony smartphone hobbyists, but has less place in industrial or professional 3D scanner applications.

After scanning, you can seamlessly export your model as an STL file to print it on your desktop 3D printer, or share your 3D model on social media.

You can download Sony’s 3D Creator on the Google Play store here.

Buyer’s Guide – Things To Consider

Scan Time

Even though developers design the best 3D scanner apps with speed in mind, the underlying scanning technique affects how quickly a scan is likely to complete.

Apps that use LiDAR and third-party depth sensors scan much quicker than those that employ photogrammetry technology for the simple reason that the latter requires the user to take numerous pictures of the objects from different angles, which itself is time-consuming.

Additional Hardware/Accessories

Most 3D scanner apps use photogrammetry to determine the dimensions and texture of an object to create a 3D model, but a number of them require third-party accessories, more often than not the popular Structure Sensor, a camera that mounts on top of devices like tablets.

It’s essential to factor in the extra cost when considering which app is best for your needs. For example, the Structure Sensor costs around $700, or roughly the price of a phone.

Scan Quality and Precision

Even the best 3D scanner apps struggle to match the quality and precision of a standalone 3D scanner. LiDAR sensors, or light detection and ranging, found in recent iPhones have drastically improved quality over straight photogrammetry.

However, the results are still a far cry from pro-grade standalone scanners. That said, for high tolerance applications such as e-commerce and floor plan creation, the scan quality and precision are more than suitable.

3D Scanner App Uses — What Do You Want to 3D Scan?

Although we would recommend 3D scanners over their app counterparts in almost every situation and application, 3D scanner apps are a cost-effective and convenient alternative that is more than suitable for several applications.

Here’s a breakdown of the best apps for several of the most common applications:

• Floor plans, measurement, room modeling – AR Plan 3D, Canvas
• 3D printing – Scann3D, ItSeez3D, Sony 3D Creator, Heges, Trnio
• Medical – 3DsizeME
• E-Commerce – ARitize360, Polycam

How Do 3D Scanner Apps Work

As the name implies, 3D scanner apps use a mobile device’s hardware, or sometimes cloud-based processing, to create a 3D model of a scanned object. While similar to standalone 3D scanners, the underpinning technology is different. Here’s a quick breakdown of the two most common types of 3D scanner apps.

Photogrammetry – Images of an object are taken from all angles then stitched together to create a 3D model.

LiDAR/Structure Sensor – A laser shines a pattern of light over an object. A sensor then gathers the reflected light to determine depth data which is then fed to a scanning app to construct a 3D digital image.

What Is A LiDAR Sensor?

A LiDAR sensor is a depth technology that employs a pulsed laser to measure the depth and range of an object. The data gathered from reflected light is used to generate 3D models of anything from human bodies to sea beds, shoes, rooms, and much more.

In the case of 3D scanner apps, LiDAR sensors are found on most Apple mobile devices released after 2020, granting even more precise and accurate scanning of objects and spaces.

What Is A Structure Sensor?

A Structure Sensor is the brand name for manufacturer Occipital’s third-party mounting depth sensor. It’s very similar in function to a LiDAR sensor but is designed to pair with portable devices, chiefly iPads, for various applications and 3D scanning apps.

3D Scanner App FAQs

If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy:

• Our guide to the best free 3D modeling software tools
• Our guide to the best professional 3D modeling software tools
• The 15 best 3D printing software
• The best sites to download STL files and 3D printer files

• The best 3D scanners
• The best DIY 3D scanners
• The best low-cost 3D scanners

3D software modeling tools range from being easy to use by even the newest of beginners to pro-level software that can take years to learn – so it’s important to pick one that matches your skill level.

I’d recommend Daz 3D as the best free 3D modeling software overall due to its massive library of pre-built elements, allowing users to assemble amazing characters and scenes quickly.

However, complete beginners should opt for TinkerCAD. It’s a very intuitive – albeit limited – tool with a way shorter learning curve, making it perfect for hobbyists who want to easily create basic 3D models.

In this guide compare the most popular free 3D modeling programs I’ve tested across all the important criteria – device compatibility, features, ease of use – as well as any hidden quirks you should know about.

So let’s work out which is right for you.

Best Free 3D Modeling Software 2024: Criteria

Here are some of the criteria we used to evaluate the best free 3D modeling software tools for 2023:

• Ease of use: free software tools are often used by beginners so this is important.
• Depth of 3D software: being easy to use because there isn’t much you can do with the software doesn’t count as a plus. The ideal free 3D modeling software tool is not only easy to learn and use, but with a wide and deep range of tools to create professional 3D models.
• Novelty: a ranking of ten 3D software tools that perform the exact same function is boring. Bonus points were given to a 3D software program that took a completely new approach to creating 3D designs.

1. Daz 3D: Daz Studio

• Price: Free, with extra downloadable premium assets

Daz 3D, creators of Daz Studio, offers some of the most fascinating and accessible innovations in the 3D software industry. Daz Studio is a powerful 3D creation and rendering tool that streamlines many of the medium’s more technical aspects, such as animating, posing, setting up lighting, and rendering.

They also host a massive online library full of Daz-ready content created by professional artists, allowing you to assemble amazing characters and scenes quickly. It’s helpful for hobbyists and professionals alike, and can be downloaded for free.

A few features that make Daz Studio stand out include:

Premier Characters and Content

Daz’s character range and toolset really stood out for us. Their Genesis 8.1 Male and Female characters take center stage for character design — high-definition 3D figures that can be posed, animated, dressed, and customized easily using Daz’s morphing system and modular system. You can morph your Genesis Character’s physical appearance in so many ways, by mixing, matching, and blending content to create unique characters ready for photo-realistic rendering.

Face Transfer and Morphing

Have you ever wanted to see what you’d look like if you were half hippo? Or how you’d look with crazy new hair? Daz 3D’s Face Transfer allows you to do all those things – and more.

Simply take a photo of yourself and upload it; the software will take care of all 3D rendering to create an accurate 3D model of your face, with all the intricacies of your face fully adjustable as you transfer. Your bone structure will adjust accurately as you morph your 3D model, no matter how outlandish your changes are. Once you’re satisfied with your half-hippo look, you can animate yourself and make your character dance!

You aren’t limited to just half-and-half morphs either. Feel free to customize and morph any two figures – for example an alien and a werewolf – and create something 80% one character, and 20% the other. The possibilities really are endless. Of course, you can also use this to create unique, lifelike characters as well.

While the FaceTransfer feature is limited to 3 free renders without any watermarks in Daz Studio, users can enjoy the freedom of character morphs, which are how you customize and tweak physical appearances in Studio.

dForce Simulated Physics

Another innovative tool available in the free-to-download Daz Studio is their dForce hair and cloth simulating feature. With Daz Studio you can intuitively replicate stunning and lifelike cloth and hair movement.

Intricate aspects of clothes and hair move based on gravity, wind, and any character movement, and can be simulated to a hyper-realistic level. So, whether you want to have a running character’s clothes move in the wind, or an athlete’s hair adjust as they jump, you can do it all with dForce. Despite being such an advanced feature, you get full dForce access within Daz Studio for free.

Daz 3D has a number of tutorials and examples on site, and while Daz Studio is free to download, they have a range of premium 3D models and assets, such as people or animals of all shapes and sizes, you can purchase too.

2. TinkerCAD — best free 3D modeling software for beginners

• How free is it: Completely free!
• Company based: USA
• Accessibility: Browser-based

One of the many 3D software tools offered by 3D CAD software giant Autodesk, TinkerCAD is a deceptively deep tool. Though it looks fairly basic due to how easy it is to use, TinkerCAD has proved time and time again that it is up with the best free 3D modeling software out there for creating 3D models.

Utilizing what some might consider to be basic shapes, TinkerCAD allows you to create detailed 3D models by connecting different shapes together. The learning curve is far shorter than some of the more in-depth 3D software out there, making TinkerCAD the perfect 3D modeling software for beginners or children. It’s ideal for teaching kids 3D printing by creating models to print.

Further showing TinkerCAD’s ease of use, it’s the most used 3D modeling software in schools and classes worldwide. As a free online 3D modeling software, it’s browser based so you can get started in minutes without any complex or lengthy downloads. What’s more, you can download the TinkerCAD app and play around with your favorite models on your smartphone or tablet!

Though Autodesk make a number of different software for various industries, TinkerCAD is perfect for beginners who want to play around with 3D design software and maybe make something cool. You can then export your models as STL files or any other file format, and send them to a 3D printer to be 3D printed. Though once you gain more experience you may want to advance to something more complex like AutoCAD, TinkerCAD is a great place to start your 3D design career.

3. 3D Slash — easy free 3D modeling software for beginners

• Price: Free, with a $2/month premium version available

Ideal for complete beginners, 3D Slash feels less like a conventional (and perhaps intimidating!) 3D modeling software tool, and more like a friendly, interactive 3D world where you can create to your heart’s content. 

The team have clearly thought about how they can make the experience as natural as possible, so non-designers will easily understand how to create their own 3D models without the steep learning curves some programs have.

But that doesn’t limit you to just the basics — you can still create impressive and more complex objects if that’s your goal, but beginners will still find the features intuitive and user friendly.

3D Slash is free for the standard version, with a small monthly cost for Premium, and School and Professional plans also available.

4. FreeCAD — open source free 3D modeling software

• How free is it: Free and open source!
• Accessibility: Download

FreeCAD is a free 3D modeling software with some real skin in the game, having been initially released back in 2002, and despite still being in beta stage development has progressed significantly. It’s designed to make creating 3D versions of real-life objects as effective and simple as possible.

A very useful feature is the ability to start with a static 2D sketch, which you can then build your eventual 3D model from as you progress. FreeCAD works well on Windows as well as functioning effectively as a free 3D modeling software for Mac users, and once you’ve created your model, you can seamlessly export it as an STL, OBJ, or even DXF files for other uses such as CNC.

Though designed with mechanical engineering in mind, FreeCAD complements 3D printing as complex, interesting shapes and figures can be created with relative ease — despite not being as complicated as some CAD programs on this list. What’s more, FreeCAD is open source, so if you wish to tinker with the software itself, you’re free to do so with Python.

FreeCAD is ideal for users with some design experience as some tools may take a little while for complete beginners to learn. But overall, it’s a very powerful free 3D modeling software tool.

5. SketchUp

• How free is it: Free version, $299/year for Pro version
• Company based: USA
• Accessibility: Download, browser (depending on free/pro)

Created by Lastsoftware in 2000, SketchUp is a veteran of the 3D modeling software industry. A versatile and powerful option, Google acquired the software in 2006 to implement into their services, though it has since been sold to Trimble Inc.

Now offering a free version functioning as an excellent free 3D design software, SketchUp is a great choice for budding designers. Similar to TinkerCAD, SketchUp has a shorter learning curve than most 3D software out there, and comes stocked with tools for almost everything you could ever need.

Despite being currently known mostly in the architectural scene and for its affiliation with Google, SketchUp is becoming more relevant as a free 3D modeling software for 3D printing. They are working to become better integrated with creating STL files, and the tools are surprisingly compatible with those who wish to create 3D CAD files. You can currently download the SketchUp STL extension to enable STL files to be created within SketchUp.

SketchUp features an easy-to-use interface without being overloaded with information. You can figure out the basics behind this free 3D software in a few hours easily and be on your way to creating detailed 3D models on your first day that look so realistic they could have been scanned on a 3D scanner. You can easily view your models in 3D, and upload them to 3D Warehouse when you’re happy with the finished product.

6. Blender — advanced free 3D modeling software

• How free is it: Completely free!
• Company based: The Netherlands
• Accessibility: Download

Arguably the most popular 3D design software, Blender has a huge, active community who share their STL files and 3D models as well as information online. A quick Google or YouTube search will yield thousands of results with people eager to showcase their 3D designs or teach you how to use the Blender 3D software. This is down to Blender being a 100% free 3D modeling software tool which is open source, giving users freedom to create just about anything with its huge range of tools.

Though it has a steeper learning curve, Blender has huge depth to it, making it one of the most complete free 3D software tools out there. This depth makes it a very versatile 3D modeling tool, with uses ranging from film VFX, video games, 3D model design, and it’s also used as a 3D design software for 3D printing. Furthermore, Blender even comes with an integrated game engine, as well as detailed sculpting tools and video editing capabilities.

It isn’t for beginners, or probably even for intermediates, but it is an incredible free 3D modeling software that is ideal for game developers and experienced 3D modelers.

7. Meshmixer

• How free is it: Completely free
• Company based: USA
• Accessibility: Download

Meshmixer is an interesting 3D software, in the unique position that doesn’t fit into any one particular category. Another one of Autodesk’s 3D software, Meshmixer differs from its rivals in that it enables you to edit existing models with a variety of useful tools including animation, hollowing/filling, and tools for repairing models.

Meshmixer is therefore a fantastic free 3D modeling software for modifying designs to ensure their quality. This makes it a very useful software for beginners and experts alike, allowing them to polish their models so that they’re ready for 3D printing.

Another main selling point of Meshmixer is its use in topological optimization. With its simple hollowing and similar tools available within the free 3D software, parts can be made lighter, saving weight and costs. This is especially useful for eventual 3D printing in industries such as the aerospace and automotive sectors where cutting weight is very important.

Overall, Meshmixer is a versatile and consistent option for those who need to polish their 3D files. It’s perfect for beginners who want to modify their designs, as well as experts who need to optimize their industrial designs. Therefore, Meshmixer is a great free 3D software which encompasses many sectors.

8. Fusion 360

• How free is it: Free for personal use for a year, Pro version is around $500/year
• Company based: USA
• Accessibility: Download

Created with schools and academic institutes in mind, Fusion 360 is yet another 3D software created by Autodesk. It’s undoubtedly a 3D software modeling tool for experts, however it is user-friendly enough for an educated beginner to be able to use. Packed to the brim with innovative features, Fusion 360 is a very collaborative 3D software that allows users to share STL files via the cloud to collaboratively edit and optimize models.

With powerful tools for accomplishing almost any industrial 3D design, Fusion 360 really is an incredible piece of software. It has built-in features to assess stresses that components of your 3D design will encounter, allowing designers to locate potential weak points before printing. Once created, you can then easily export your 3D model as an STL file or any other file format.

Having recently been made free for students, startups, and more, Fusion 360 is a more accessible 3D software than ever before. If you’ve got some experience, or looking to level up your 3D design skills, this is the perfect 3D software for you.

9. Vectary

• Price: Free, with Premium features $12/month

Founded in 2014, Vectary calls itself the most accessible 3D and AR design platform — and it’s a completely web-based free 3D modeling software. 

Usefully, Vectary offers templates with pre-rendered and lit screens that you can place your 3D models in front of for product shots and other aesthetic uses. The simple workflow makes for easy lighting, modeling and sculpting with their toolset, and you can seamlessly export your finished design or scene as an AR model.

The free package includes access to Vectary Studio to create and design models, as well as the ability to export your creations in OBJ or STL file formats, though for other formats you’ll need to upgrade. Within their free offering you can create up to 25 projects, and you get access to Vectary’s library of 3D assets, materials and icons. Upgrading gives you access to their AR preview tools, and have project and team sharing features for better and quicker feedback between multiple people.

10. SelfCAD

• Pricing: $14.99/m, or $599 perpetual license. There are discounts for educators.
• Accessibility: Browser-based as well as downloadable versions

SelfCAD focuses on being the best browser-based free 3D modeling software for students all around the world, allowing people to design 3D files without having to download anything. This has made it a popular choice in the US for schools looking to teach students 3D design. There’s also a PC and Mac downloadable version however for those who prefer it.

Focused on simplicity and ease of use, SelfCAD offers all the necessary tools to create whilst still retaining a short learning curve that beginners can use. Built with 3D printing in mind, SelfCAD also includes browser-based slicing tools for preparing your STL or G-code files for 3D printing.

Overall, SelfCAD is a simple 3D design software program with a clean layout that doesn’t scare you off. It includes all the tools necessary for students and beginners to create amazing 3D models to print, without the steep learning curve involved in some other 3D software tools. There’s a reason it is becoming increasingly adopted in schools worldwide.

11. BlocksCAD

• How free is it: Free to use, with paid education plans for schools
• Company based: USA

At 3DSourced our priority is to educate, and therefore we have a soft spot for any individual or company with similar priorities. BlocksCAD firmly has education in mind, having been created to complement 3rd to 8th grade STEM education. BlocksCAD is a cloud-based free 3D modeling software that encourages the learning of math, computational thinking, coding concepts and designing models to be 3D printed.

There’s a wide range of projects in their freely available gallery to use as personal or class projects, ranging from snowmen, to jewelry rings, to fish, and even the infamous Among Us cafeteria.

Designed to collaborate closely with OpenSCAD, BlocksCAD is designed to be simple, fun, and child-friendly. 3D designs can be created through colorful, easy-to-manipulate blocks, which can then be exported either as STL files or as files to be opened and edited in OpenSCAD. For complete beginners, BlocksCAD offer extensive tutorials on the basics of 3D modeling, and how to use their 3D software.

For educators, there are added features for managing student’s accounts, and a range of lesson plans are also available.

12. OpenSCAD

• How free is it: Completely free!
• Accessibility: Download

Though a free 3D CAD software, OpenSCAD looks intimidating as you are enveloped in code and scripts. It’s a powerful tool – but be warned, it’s not for the faint-hearted or for those who aren’t used to coding.

Launched back in 2010 by Marius Kintel and Clifford Wolf and maintained by regular updates and patches, OpenSCAD has attracted a niche cult following among 3D designers who prefer the scripting rather than artistic method of design. It is also worth noting that you can design 3D parts in OpenSCAD with just a mouse, though this is not the sole intent of the program.

Overall, we’re impressed with OpenSCAD for offering something new – and doing it for free. We recommend at least intermediate knowledge of scripting before trying it however, or you’d probably be better off with one of the other 3D CAD software options on our list.

13. Wings 3D

• Price: Free

Wings 3D is a completely open source and free 3D modeling software that has been actively developed and improved since 2001. It’s not as modern-looking or user-friendly as software like Vectary or TinkerCAD, but works very well for character, tabletop model and other creative 3D modeling projects.

It’s fairly easy to navigate with features that make tweaking your models — such as via sculpting, welding, cutting, bridging or bending parts — simple even for beginners. 

Each menu is context-sensitive, so when you right-click different selections, different options appear based on what you’re most likely to need. This advanced time-saving tool makes it a great 3D modeling software option for beginners and experts.

Other articles you may be interested in include:

• If you need a 3D slicer — here’s our guide to the best 3D slicers for FDM 3D printing
• For all software for optimal 3D printing, we also have a ranking of the best 3D printing software
• For resin 3D printing, you’ll need a slicer specialized for resin prints. Here’s our guide to the best resin 3D slicers
• If you’re interested in 3D printing, we have a ranking for the best 3D printers for beginners

Other curated article recommendations from our team:

• The best 3D animation software
• Best VFX software
• Best architecture design software
• Best product design software
• Best CAD sofware for 3D printing
• Best 3D Modeling Software For Mac
• What’s the Top Free CAD Tool for Mac?

Tinkercad and SketchUp Free are both excellent options for beginners who want to learn 3D modeling. They are both user-friendly, have plenty of learning resources, offer flexibility in terms of file formats, and are free to use.

For more advanced users, Blender has the most comprehensive catalog of modeling tools. It has a learning curve, but once you’ve mastered it, you can achieve pretty much anything.

In this guide, I’ll compare the best free CAD software for 3D printing across all the crucial details – from functionality and features to device compatibility and ease of use – so you can decide which is best for your project.

Best Free CAD Software For 3D Printing

Easiest CAD Software for 3D Printing (For Beginners)

1. Tinkercad

Tinkercad is a free browser-based CAD program that offers one of the most straightforward and intuitive interfaces available that’s chiefly geared towards beginners and kids wanting to learn the basics of 3D modeling. It’s developed by the folks at Autodesk, the same company behind Fusion 360, AutoCAD, and Maya.

The modeling process is based on shaping and modeling basic shapes using a range of simple tools to create models. These can then be exported to STL then loaded into a slicer to prep for 3D printing. 

Alongside, Tinkercad comes with a comprehensive library of tutorials, lessons, and learner projects perfect for those dabbling in modeling for the first time.

2. Sketchup Free

A step up in complexity compared to Tinkercad, SketchUp Free is still one of the most user-friendly free CAD programs available. It marries a sleek user interface with a solid set of tools that you can use to create everything from basic shapes to complex parts for 3D printing. 

SketchUp comes sided by 3D Warehouse, a catalog of user-generated designs that you can use as a launch pad for your own designs. SketchUp offers imports in SKP, JPG, PNG file formats, while it can export to SKP, PNG, and STL.

SketchUp is also available in premium form, which gives you access to features unavailable in the free version – plugins, point cloud data generation, real-time visualizations, renders, and more. 

These tend to benefit specialized applications more than 3D printing, so for most the free version provides enough functionality to take an idea from concept to model to print.

3. 3D Slash

Much like Tinkercad, 3D Slash aims to demystify the often complex process of 3D modeling and make it fun. Something Tinkercad pulls off with a simple interface, easy to understand and use tools, but they are sufficiently powerful to create precise 3D models ready for 3D printing. 

It’s no stretch to say that someone with zero modeling knowledge should find their bearings using 3DSlash in no time at all. It’s one of the best free 3D printing CAD software tools for beginners.

In practical terms, users work to carve a basic cube into the desired design using a set of tools (hammer, text, color, flip, add shapes, etc.) in a manner that draws inspiration from building games like Minecraft. 

Once completed, models can be exported to STL and OBJ file formats. 3DSlash is available in both a web browser version and a downloadable desktop version.

4. Morphi

Morphi is an app-based, tablet-only CAD modeling software that, much like Tinkercad and 3DSlash, is a solid learning tool for beginners and even young learners. It features a streamlined, intuitive interface sided by a set of tools all usable with the taps and swipes we’ve all grown accustomed to in this day and age of smartphones and portable devices.

Morphi’s simplicity is sided by an impressive selection of features for what is an app aimed at usability – in-built animation, AR tools, 3D rendering, library of image/video textures and 3D models, and custom texture creator to name a few. 

You can create models by subtracting, adding, drawing, and editing shapes, with the option to draw in both 2D and 3D based on your needs. Morphi also offers a wealth of import and export options – OBJ, STL, FBX, GLTF, 3MF, and GLTF, with more on the way.

Though paid tiers are available, the free version features all the same tools, but models come out with a distinctive watermark.

5. Meshmixer

Another option from the Autodesk family, Meshmixer is a CAD program that centers on, you guessed it, meshes, specifically polygonal shapes. 

It’s great for modeling less geometrical parts and models, but also useful for polishing up existing STL and OBJ files ready for 3D printing. Better yet, it has integrated support structure generation tools, allowing it to blend into the 3D printing workflow very nicely indeed.

Best Free CAD Design Software for 3D Printers

6. Blender

A comprehensive catalog of modeling tools bundled into one of the most powerful and deep CAD programs available, it’s difficult to highlight just how much Blender can do in a few short sentences. 

It’s the complete package for anyone looking to create precise, complex models, and it’s 100% free of charge. It’s generally favored for rendering, animation, and VFX, but boasts a potent modeling and sculpting suite to bring even the most ambitious 3D print projects to life, especially those of a more artistic nature.

7. FreeCAD

FreeCAD is one of the best free open source CAD software for 3D printing out there, not least because it’s free. It’s also a parametric modeler, which means users can modify a model’s geometry based on tweaking parameters – dimensions, constraints, elements, etc. 

This makes it a potent tool for everyone from home makers to professional designers to create precision models for a huge range of applications. 

Though not specifically geared to 3D printing, FreeCAD does ease the process of preparing models for printing with file export options that include OBJ and STL. 

While free, FreeCAD offers an array of advanced tools such as finite element analysis, CFD, BIM, and more, though these are unlikely to be useful for makers who’ll be more than satisfied with the program’s 2D and 3D modeling capabilities.

8. Onshape

Onshape is a development platform that aims to offer users a comprehensive set of tools to bring a product from idea to reality by combining CAD, PDM, collaboration tools, and even business analytics under one roof. 

For the purposes of 3D printing, we’re most interested in the CAD aspects, which include drawing tools, parametric modeling, content libraries, and the ability to code in custom features using the programs Onshape’s own FeatureScript programming language.

Onshape is a web-based program, meaning very few compatibility issues. Note that the free Public Plan version is available only if you agree to use your designs for non-commercial use.

9. Wings3D

Wings3D marries powerful modeling capabilities with ease of use. Best of all, it’s an open-source program with no premium tiers – all features are available. Among them are selection and modeling tools, support for assigning and editing materials/textures/colors, and a host of plugins that suit a range of applications, including 3D printing. 

Wings3D also features comprehensive support for a huge range of import/export file types, including the all-important STL format for 3D printing. The interface is also worth a mention as it’s incredibly simple to use despite housing a powerful set of tools. Common commands are easily accessible and menus are context-sensitive so the screen is never cluttered with unwanted tools.

10. SolveSpace

A free, open-source CAD modeler, SolveSpace is another program that operates around parametric modifications, so you can adjust, tune, and tweak a model’s geometry based on a range of dimensions, constraints and elements. 

It features 2D sketch modeling alongside comprehensive 3D solid modeling. Elsewhere, it also offers mechanical design and analysis tools, useful if you’re printing functional or mechanical 3D parts. SolveSpace exports to all the most common formats, including STL, but also directly to G-code.

Cheap CAD Software for 3D Printing

12. SelfCAD

SelfCAD aims to deliver a smooth and intuitive modeling experience without sacrificing advanced features so that you can confidently tackle even the most demanding projects without spending a fortune. 

It’s a fully-fledged design suite with all the modeling capabilities you’ll likely need to bring your 3D printing ideas to life – there’s sketching, rendering, sculpting, deformation tools, MyMiniFactory integration to easily pull in models, and an STL slicer all in the comfort of a straightforward and streamlined interface that won’t bog you down with too many options from the get-go.

Unlike many others out there, SelfCAD is a cheap CAD software for 3D printing that’s relatively affordable asking just north of $100 for a yearly pro license. You can also trial it for free with 10 days of pro access to gauge whether it’s a good fit for you.

13. Vectary

Vectary is a bit of an oddity on our list in that it’s mainly geared towards creating artistic models, but still boasts advanced parametric modeling capabilities. It’s a welcome bridge between the two areas and means it has an interface that won’t overwhelm newcomers and resembles more artistic-leaning programs like Photoshop. 

It doesn’t have too many advanced features (not a bad thing for those looking for simple modeling capabilities), but should do the job for amateur makers looking to create good-quality models. The free version is fairly generous with no limited free trial in sight, only capped by a 25 project max, but you can move past this by paying just under $100 a year, which makes it one of the best-priced cheap CAD options out there.

Best Free CAD Software For 3D Print Prototyping

14. Fusion 360

Developed by Autodesk, Fusion360 is a complete CAD environment that’s stacked to the rafters with professional-grade features. You can employ virtually every modeling technique under the sun (parametric, mesh, freeform, etc) to prototype, design, and iterate for virtually any 3D printing application. 

Though Fusion360 usually comes with a hefty licensing fee, there’s a free for personal use version that anyone can use as long as they agree to non-commercial use. It doesn’t include all the features, but there’s everything there for those using it to create 3D models for printing.

15. DesignSpark Mechanical

Despite what the name suggests, DesignSpark Mechanical is a potent modeling tool for 3D printing, and more specifically rapid prototyping for applications such as engineering. 

The real draw is that DesignSpark achieves this without the complexity of most pro-geared CAD programs thanks to intuitive design tools, support for common file formats, and user-friendly interface.

Best Free 3D CAD Software For Kids and Home Projects

16. Tinkercad

There’s really only one program that makes CAD modeling accessible to kids and that’s the ever-popular Tinkercad. Simple, easy to use, and just powerful enough to power all manner of fun, home projects, it’s a great stepping stone and learning resource for beginners and younger budding makers.

What Can You Expect With Free CAD Software?

For CAD software to be free, something has to give. A lack of a price comes with limitations, so it’s important to understand what you can and can’t do, and what differences to expect between free CAD programs for 3D printing and paid professional software.

User Interface

One of the main differences is user interface and overall polish. Paid programs tend to offer a more intuitive and fleshed-out interface than their free counterparts, which can often be fairly barebones, leaning more on functionality than delivering a flowing user experience.

Applications

Suitable applications, and the features that enable this, are also a major difference between free CAD programs for 3D printing and paid CAD programs. Paid software is geared towards professional applications such as design and engineering that need a comprehensive suite of features, while free programs tend to focus on a specific element of 3D modeling with little in the way of extras.

Trials of Paid Software

Then there’s also the murky middle ground of free versions of paid CAD software where you’ll find many of the more sophisticated features like CNC milling, extensive export file formats, advanced simulations, and cloud functionality removed.

What this means is that choosing free CAD software for you is about selecting a program that has the features you need, but also whether you can live without what it doesn’t offer. For general use, especially modeling for 3D printing, the best free CAD software will more than suffice, but if you’re looking to power more specialized applications, this is where spending money on a premium program bears fruits.

Buying Guide – Things to Consider When Choosing Free CAD Software for 3D Printing

Compatibility

It’s important to consider whether free 3D printer modeling software is compatible with your device – Mac, Linux, Windows, smartphone, tablet, Android, iOS. If you’re looking for widespread compatibility, look to browser-based software.

Training and Learning Curve

There’s a huge difference in the learning curve and training required between the best free 3D print CAD software. If you want to get modeling without spending hours reading tutorials and guides, then something simple like Tinkercad or 3DSlash is recommended. If you don’t mind honing your knowledge and skill, then advanced programs like Fusion360 and Blender are good options.

Budget and Trials

While most of our free CAD software recommendations are free, many feature free trials rather than unlimited access to the program. Prices vary drastically from software to software, so be sure to select one that’s within your budget.

It’s also worth looking for free tiers/plans, usually given to students, or for non-commercial use to save money. These do occasionally come with missing features, but these tend to be advanced ones that shouldn’t affect creating models for 3D printing.

Do 3D Printers Come With CAD Software?

No, 3D printers don’t generally come with CAD software as part of the package. They do, however, include slicing software to prep 3D models for the 3D printing process.

Can FreeCAD Be Used for 3D Printing?

Yes, FreeCAD can be used to create 3D models for 3D printing. The program allows users to export models in OBJ and STL file formats. These can then be imported into a slicer to prepare the model for 3D printing and create a G-code file with all the instructions the printer needs to complete the print.

Is FreeCAD Totally Free?

Yes, free CAD for 3D printing program FreeCAD is 100%, no-strings-attached free of charge. There are no paid premium tiers; the program is available for free to all and any with all the features accessible and usable.

Related Posts:

• Best Free AutoCAD Alternatives For Every Use
• Best Open-Source CAD Software and Communities
• Best Free 2D CAD Software
• Best 3D Printing CAD Software for Hobbyists & Professionals

Note: this article focuses on 3D slicers for FDM printing. For resin 3D printing, check out our guide to the best resin 3D slicers

The best 3D slicer for the majority of users is going to be Cura. This free, open-source software is user friendly and has all essential features you’ll need, making it the best choice for hobbyists and intermediate printers.

If you’re an experienced maker you may benefit from the wider range of advanced settings available in Simplify3D – but comes at a cost of $150 for use on two computers.

So let’s work out which 3D slicer is best for you.

The Best 3D Slicers for Hobbyist & Prosumer 3D Printing

1. Cura Slicer — Best Free 3D Slicer Software

• 3D printer software price: Free!
• Download here

Developed by Dutch 3D printer manufacturer Ultimaker, Cura is the most popular 3D slicing software out there. This 3D slicer is free open-source software, and is designed to be able to integrate with 3D CAD software tools like SolidWorks and Autodesk Inventor for easier cross-platform workflow.

Since it’s made by Ultimaker, Cura is perfect for Ultimaker 3D printer owners, as well as featuring specialized settings for dozens of other printers too.

It also has recommended settings for beginners, so those without much experience will still find it useful.

Beyond this, a number of advanced settings for supports and infills make Cura a viable 3D printer slicer for advanced users, too.

Most impressive however is its simple yet effective three stages of printing:

• Prepare: the first stage, Prepare, allows you to choose your printing parameters and slice the 3D printer model.
• Preview: the Preview stage identifies possible at-risk areas which could fail. This helps identify faults without having to waste time, materials and energy making those mistakes in real life.
• Monitor: this final stage lets you monitor your print’s progress, which you can also do remotely.

Massive quality-of-life improving features in Cura include the estimated time of print and an estimated amount of filament required for a certain print.

This is incredibly useful, for example, if you are running short of filament and want to make sure you’ll be able to finish that 3D printed miniature rather than running out of filament while your model is headless, or if you’re in a rush and need to finish printing before a certain time.

2. Simplify3D — Best 3D Slicer For Experienced Makers

• 3D printer software price: $149
• Available here

Undoubtedly up there as the most expansive and technical option, Simplify3D is said to be compatible with more 3D printers than any other 3D printer software. The slicing tool is used in education, as well as by both novice and experienced makers and by businesses for rapid prototyping and iterating.

The caveat is the price — $150 for use on two computers. The price tag comes with a number of key benefits, however. For example, Simplify3D excels in an area where most 3D slicers struggle — in supports.

You can effectively customize your support thickness and material, and Simplify3D builds them so they can be removed extremely easily. This saves time and leads to parts with a better surface finish as they’re less likely to be scarred during post-processing.

Simplify3D features very precise and advanced settings for extruders, infill 3D printing settings, extruder temperatures, cooling and fans, rafts and brims, retraction, and especially supports. If you have already spent several hundred dollars on a 3D printer, it may be worth considering a paid 3D slicer as an investment in fulfilling your 3D printing potential with the most advanced 3D printer slicer on the market.

It also excels in pre-print simulations and shows potential weak points that could cause the print to fail. This feature can potentially save hundreds of dollars in wasted filament from failed prints, using Simplify3D’s advanced tools to pinpoint and fix errors.

3. Slic3r — Best Open Source 3D Slicer

• 3D printer software price: Free!
• Available here

Slic3r is a 3D slicer first started back in 2011 by Alessandro Ranellucci and champions the open source philosophy alongside RepRap 3D printers. It’s a completely nonprofit project, which is very commendable considering it is definitely one of the best 3D printer slicer options out there.

With a wide variety of features that advanced users will enjoy, including effective, strong infills and many different preview views for ensuring you’re happy with your model before you press print, Slic3r is versatile enough to handle almost anything you throw at it.

Slic3r can handle printing on multi extruder 3D printers with different support materials, and can even print on multiple 3D printers simultaneously. It can import STL, AMF and OBJ files, and exports GCODE files for 3D printing. What’s more, Slic3r integrates seamlessly with OctoPrint, a 3D printer host program for remote 3D printing and monitoring.

What’s more, it doesn’t just deal with FDM 3D printers, but can also print SLA prints, so resin 3D printer owners can also use Slic3r for their prints.

4. KISSlicer

• 3D printer software price: Free version, with $42 PRO version and $82 Premium version
• Available here

KISSlicer — or Keep It Simple Slicer — is a great 3D slicer for experts. The software is very detail oriented and focuses on technical aspects of 3D printing that experienced makers will be drawn to.

The free version of KISSlicer is limited to single extruder 3D printing, and unlocking dual extruder 3D printer options will cost you $42. There’s also a Premium $82 option with more advanced tools, such as the ability to combine multiple STL files into one print.

Even if you only have the free version you still have access to all the content and updates, with new types of 3D printer, print styles, mesh topologies, and 3D printer filaments being added all the time.

Some will not enjoy the less beginner-friendly interface however.

5. Tinkerine Suite — Best 3D Slicer For Education / Schools / Beginners

• 3D printer software cost: Free!
• Available here

Tinkerine is a Canadian 3D printer manufacturer that specializes in 3D printers for education, and their Tinkerine Suite 3D slicer is built for education too.

That means Tinkerine Suite is super easy to understand and use, even if you’re not good with computers or haven’t done much 3D printing before. This makes it perfect for use in classrooms where younger children may not have much experience with technology, with the simple UX making learning Tinkerine Suite a breeze.

Moreover, alongside the printing parameters, there are tips that explain how changing each setting will affect the print. This helps students to learn as they tinker with their models — learning through doing, an immersive learning experience. Tinkerine Suite also features accurate estimates of how long a print will take, which is very useful when factoring in lesson plans of a certain length. Overall, it’s the perfect 3D slicer for education.

6. Prusa Slicer — Best 3D Printer Software For Prusa Printer Owners

• 3D printer software price: Free! — Download here
• Available here

Anyone who has ever owned a DIY 3D printer kit will know just how good Prusa 3D printers are, and having forked Slic3r’s open-source 3D printer software, Prusa Slicer is specially designed for Prusa printers. So for those who either bought or built their own Prusa printer, the Prusa Slicer is optimized for you.

• You can also buy the original Prusa kit on the Prusa Store here.
• Prusa SL1 resin printer is available here.

Despite being aimed towards Prusa users, it’s a versatile 3D slicer that can handle many different printers and over 60 different 3D printer filaments and resins. It’s also updated to include SLA/DLP/LCD printing, so if you’ve bought the new Prusa SL1 resin 3D printer, it works with that too.

It’s also open source, so anyone with the skills and the time to develop new tools and features can improve PrusaSlicer for the whole community. The time estimates are known for their accuracy, especially on Prusa printers, and any Prusa 3D printer owner will tell you it’s a great 3D printer slicer.

7. Repetier-Host — Great 3D Slicer For Remote 3D Printing

• 3D printer software price: Free!
• Available here

Repetier is a free 3D slicer that allows you to easily import your 3D models and then rotate, scale or move them however you need to before 3D printing them.

Repetier doesn’t just make a 3D slicer, but have a suite of tools that complement the slicer, such as Repetier-Server which helps with remote 3D printing and monitoring prints.

It works like OctoPrint, installed on a Rasbperry Pi so you can remotely access your prints via a laptop or smartphone. If you just want to use Repetier as a 3D slicer, you can still easily print via USB or SD card, or directly to your 3D printer. It’s not used as commonly as others like Cura, but it’s still a good free 3D printer software option.

If you’re a manufacturer and looking for a good 3D slicer to use for your 3D printers, Repetier also offers a branded option so you can have your own custom version. You get your own branding and digital signature, as well as all Repetier’s custom print settings and filament settings to reduce time spent answering your customers’ questions.

8. OctoPrint — 3D printer host for remote printing & also a 3D printer slicer

• Price: Free!
• Available here

Although not a specialized 3D slicer, OctoPrint does feature a slicing tool for slicing STL files in addition to its incredible main features. OctoPrint acts as more of a slicing software platform and host, allowing for simple and effective remote monitoring of in-progress printing, so you could be in a different city and seamlessly check on how your 3D print is going.

You can monitor your print’s progress, temperature, estimated remaining time, and install a webcam to get video footage of the print to check if any errors have occurred. And if they have, you can remotely pause or stop the print to save on wasted filament!

9. Netfabb — professional 3D slicer for metal 3D printing

• Price: $387 per month

Netfabb is an advanced 3D slicing and 3D file preparation software now acquired by Autodesk and used to complement their Fusion 360 software. It’s specialized for 3D file analysis, with some very advanced extras.

First, it not only prepares and slices 3D models, but can also analyze and repair files based on any predicted difficulties that could come up during the printing process based on Netfabb’s analysis of the file.

With Netfabb, you can easily create lattice structures that save weight, and it can powerfully simulate DMLS, other powder bed fusion prints, DED, and more, to check for part distortion, areas that will come under too much strain during the printing process, and find areas that may not fuse properly. Metal 3D printing is expensive, so preventing these errors will save huge amounts of money over time.

What Should You Look for in a Good 3D Slicer?

That’s what this guide will help you find out — we haven’t just listed a group of 3D printer slicers we thought were good, but created a list of slicers which are the best in each area – for example the best free 3D slicer, or best 3D slicer for education in schools.

A 3D slicer is a 3D printer software program that you can import models into — for example in .STL, .GCODE or .OBJ file format. These 3D printer models form the basis of your print; they contain the edges, heights, and all the information about your print.

To be considered one of the best 3D slicers, a slicer should offer:

• Speed: Any great 3D slicer should save you time by importing STL files (or any other 3D printer file) in record time, no matter how large or complex the model is.
• Repairing and warning features: An advanced 3D printer slicer will alert you if your file there are glaring errors in your file that could cause errors in your print, and fix them for you if necessary. This saves you time in preventing wasteful failed prints, and money in wasted 3D printer filament.
• Easy to use: There is no point in having infinitely advanced slicing tools (or any other great features) if nobody can find them, or work out how to use them. The interface should be simple and easy to learn, with appropriate guides for professional 3D slicing tools.
• 3D printing data: Most good slicers now, during printing, inform you of the expected remaining time, and how much required filament remains (so you can estimate if you have enough left).
• 3D slicer price: many tools are free, and even open source, so if a program if paid, it needs to offer notable advantages of its free slicer peers.
• Good slicer supports: one of the main advantages of a good 3D slicer is automatically generated supports that make sure your finished print is as precise and accurate as possible, especially over bridges and wide-angle 3D printing.

Other articles you may be interested in:

• The best STL editors
• Ender 3 slicer – a guide
• Best Ender 3 software
• Resin 3D slicers
• Best 3D slicer settings
• Cura vs Creality slicer
• How to use 3D printer infill settings
• The best 3D printing software overall

Autodesk Maya is the best 3D animation software overall, helping you create complex characters, realistic effects, and vast worlds, which have been used in blockbuster films, TV series, and video games.

But Maya is very expensive at $2479 per year. Beginners would be better served by considering free 3D animation software like Cascadeur or Blender.

Cascadeur is the choice if you’re solely looking to create physics-based character animations, while Blender (though complex for beginners) offers a wider range of applications to complete your project.

But ultimately, the ideal software depends on your specific needs and goals. We’ve reviewed each software’s features, applications, and price, so you can easily choose the best software for you.

Best Free 3D Animation Software – In-Depth Reviews

1. Cascadeur — Great Free 3D Animation Software For Video Games & Movies

Game developer Nekki are most well known for their Vector and Shadow Fight games, with over 500 million registered users across all platforms.

From making some of the world’s most viral and popular games, they learned exactly what game makers and animators are looking for. With that experience they have released Cascadeur, the 3D game animation software for game designs that they personally use.

Cascadeur is a physics-based animation software for creating physically accurate animations for games and movies. In Cascadeur, developers can create realistic animations of characters of almost any type – humans, animals or any other creatures – without needing to use motion capture technology. 

For decades, when creating animations for games, developers had to decide between two production methods: either they had to use motion capture and thus received 100% realistic motion data – or they had to animate their characters manually by hand. 

Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages in terms of time, cost and realism of the results. Handmade animation, although it can be very expressive, will never look realistic. Motion capture looks realistic, but has a lot of physical limitations and depends on the skills of human actors.

Cascadeur introduces a third way of animating. It provides animators with convenient tools, allowing you to either:

• Create realistic and believable action animation from scratch and then fix the physical characteristics of the animation with the help of physics tools, or 
• Take existing MoCap data, modify it to the desired result and then fix the correctness of the physical characteristics.

Cascadeur can be integrated in most existing animation workflows, as it supports import and export of FBX/DAE data to other software.

It’s completely free for non-commercial users and small enterprises, with paid versions for larger companies offering better support services and a host of other benefits.

Beginners needn’t be intimidated, as Cascadeur have created numerous tutorials on their website, ranging from the newest of beginners to very advanced users. Guides to various tools are extensively documented, as well as YouTube guides to fun niche uses like animating characters in zero gravity, or creating somersaults with perfectly realistic physics. 

If you run into any issues or want to join the community, there’s a very active Discord of members and developers more than happy to help beginners.

2. Blender – Best Free 3D Animation Software

There are many free 3D animation software out there, but it’s hard to look past Blender as the best. This open source 3D animation software can be used for every stage of the 3D pipeline, from modeling, rigging, animation, and simulation to rendering, compositing, motion tracking and video editing. It also supports 2D animation.

Blender can be used for a wide range of applications, including advertisements, animated feature films, TV series, video games, visual effects, architecture and art.

As a 3D animation movie software it offers a number of high-quality tools, such as envelope, skeleton and automatic skilling, B-spline interpolated bones, custom bone shapes for fast inputs, unwrapping, texturing, fluid and smoke simulation, and sound synchronization.

Blender also offers excellent rigging tools that you can use to design a skeleton and then define and location and mobility of limbs and their relationship to one another when creating a framework for your 3D character. You can even define the influence each of the bones has on the limbs in this vicinity. You can do this manually or automatically with the help of commercial plugins.

Overall, it’s a great film 3D animation software tool, and great for developing moving 3D models for video games and other uses.

This software is also a good choice for directly drawing in 2D and 3D, with excellent workflow freedom. You can combine 2D and 3D right in the viewpoint, while the software has full animation support with Onion Skinning and layers and colors for stroke and fill.

Blender also supports input from motion capturing software, and you can even use facial motion capture using markers painted onto actors’ faces. It offers excellent clothing simulation that can be manipulated by the armature for added realism. You can also combine live-action footage with animation seamlessly with this software.

With its flexible python-controlled interface, you can easily customize the interface layout and colors and create your own tools and add-ons. Blender may be a free 3D animation software, but it’s still one of the very best around and is a viable alternative to top paid software like Maya.

3. K-3D – Powerful Free Software with Advanced Visualization Pipeline

K-3D is another of the best 3D animation software for free. It’s a versatile and powerful tool that combines flexible plugins with a visualization pipeline architecture. It’s a good 3D animation software for beginners thanks to its user-friendly, intuitive interface, although it also has the tools required by professional 3D animators.

The node-based visualization pipeline means that K-3D offers great flexibility. It has an advanced undo/redo system that means you can always go back, while it also has an innovative undo tree feature that means you can always go forward even where other programs would not allow.

Complex workflows are made easy to create and understand, and you can work on one side of a model, show the other side mirrored, and see the end result welded together as a subdivision surface in real time.

This is also powerful software, with the node-based pipeline offering more possibilities than traditional modifier stacks or histories. While K-3D software may not quite match up to Blender or the top paid programs, it’s certainly a good choice if you’re looking for the best free 3D animation software for beginners.

Best Paid 3D Animation Software

4. Autodesk Maya – Overall Best

Autodesk’s Maya is widely regarded as the best 3D animation software, and with good reason. This software is widely used throughout Hollywood and has been used in blockbuster films such as Harry Potter and Transformers, TV series like Game of Thrones and South Park, and video games such as God of War and Halo, which gives you an idea of the exceptionally high quality this software offers.

This software does everything, allowing you to create complex characters, realistic effects and vast worlds. You can procedurally create dazzling effects using the Bitfrost feature, which allows you to build custom graphs or use ready-made ones for effects like explosions and weather.

For creating characters and scenery, the Arnold feature is an advanced renderer that allows you to switch seamlessly between CPU and GPU. There’s also an easy-to-use auto-rig tool that can process quadrupeds and winged models.

Other useful features of this 3D animation and movie-making software include geodesic vortex binding for quickly producing production-ready characters, a native motion library plugin, and a range of automation tools for animation along curves and paths. It’s also great at modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering, with a feature set including particles, hair, and fluid simulations.

Like other professional 3D animation software, Maya comes with a sophisticated CG compositing program, MatchMover. This allows you to combine 3D-rendered elements and motion data from film sequences recorded on set by tracking the camera’s movement.

With a highly customizable, user-friendly interface, Maya isn’t reserved for professional animators, although this extensive software does take some time to master. As you can probably imagine, Maya doesn’t come cheap, with a one-year subscription costing $2,479. However, as the best 3D animation software on the market, it’s well worth the price. There’s also a 30-day free trial version available.

5. Cinema 4D – Best 3D Animation Software for Beginners

Cinema 4D, developed by Maxon, is a very powerful yet simple 3D animation software. Its intuitive interface makes it ideal for both beginners and experienced animators alike, and it offers a wide range of tools to help you achieve quality results.

One of the best things about 4D Cinema is its easy learning curve. There are loads of tutorials to help you get to grips with things as well as a large, skilled community that can help first-time animators quickly develop their skills. There’s also a training site called Cineversity, which you get free membership to when you buy the software.

This easy 3D animation software is also renowned for its stability. All features and functions are thoroughly tested by the QA and Beta testers before being released, while regular free service packs further optimize the software and allow the developers to quickly respond to changes in operating systems.

With this software you can easily keyframe any object, material or tag parameter, and there’s also automatic keyframing to make things even simpler. You can also use the software’s effectors, tags and expressions to animate without keyframes, and you can create your own expressions in Cinema 4D’s node-based XPresso Editor.

The standalone 3D animation version of Cinema 4D costs $719 a year, while the full package with all Maxon products is $1,199. Overall, it’s a great easy 3D animation software that even beginners will be able to use.

6. Houdini – Powerful Professional Software with Free Version

Houdini is industry-leading software that is popular for 3D animation, visual effects and game development. It is widely used by large VFX companies, including Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks and Sony Pictures, to create 3D imagery.

This software, developed by SideFX, is designed around a node-based workflow with a procedural modeling approach that allows you to generate almost everything from terrains to complex characters procedurally. This helps animators work freely, create multiple iterations and easily share workflows with colleagues.

Houdini has some brilliantly intuitive, artist-friendly tools. You can easily create biped and quadruped 3D characters with the auto-rig tool, while the procedurally generated fluids and particles add realism. You can also carry out complex crowd simulations and create highly accurate 3D animations with the software’s built-in muscle simulation pipeline. Overall, Houdini allows you to create incredibly high-quality animations with unparalleled flexibility.

There are four plans for Houdini – FX, CORE, Indie, and Apprentice. The Apprentice version is free and is designed for hobbyists, while the Indie version is best for independent animators and costs $269 a year. The CORE and FX packages, designed for professional animators, cost $1,995 and $4,495 a year respectively.

7. Autodesk 3DS Max – Best 3D Animation Software for Windows

Another Autodesk product, 3DS Max is a popular 3D modeling and 3D rendering software that’s used for animation, game development, visual effects, and architectural visualization.

3DS Max boasts comprehensive 3D animation capabilities, including two separate character animation tools. The Character Studio is designed to create bipedal characters, while the CAT tool allows you to rig and animate non-human characters. These both provide ready-made yet customizable character rigs that can be skinned with the Physique or Skin modifiers and are compatible with motion capture file formats. There’s also Populate, a self-contained crowd simulation system.

Another useful tool is the 3DS Max Fluids, which allows you to create realistic liquid behaviors like water, oil and lava, and can also be used to replicate gravity and collision effects. Other animation tools include wire parameters that link any two object parameters in the viewpoint, a motion mixer that allows you to combine motion data for biped and non-biped objects, and linked hierarchies that can be used to animate a number of objects or bones at once.

This Windows 3D animation software will set you back $2,488 for a year-long subscription, and there’s a free trial if you want to try the software out before purchasing it.

3D Animation Software Explained

3D animation brings objects to life using computer graphics. The process uses design software to make drawings, pictures and graphics look like they are moving in a three-dimensional space, and you can rotate and move objects just like in real life.

The process begins with creating a 3D model, a polygon mesh, using the software to create a mathematical representation of a shape or object. The next step is texturing, where you add colors, designs, and textures to your model.

After that comes rigging, where the model is given an internal digital structure that can be used to control the mesh by weighting the vertices. Rigging is used to create movement. An alternative method is motion capture, where an actor’s live movements are recorded and digitally animated.

Once you’re done with this and apply lighting and camera settings, you can then render your model, where you add the finishing touches and output it. You then composite your animation by touching it up and adding effects and backgrounds, before adding music and sound effects and then exporting the final product.

There are many uses for 3D animation software – it can be used in presentations, architecture design proposals, and modeling for prototype products. Of course, its best-known use is in films, TV series and video games design, where it’s used to create characters, props and entire worlds.

3D animation is a skill that requires a lot of time and dedication to master, but if you do that, you’ve got an excellent skill that is in high demand in many sectors. However, in order to get to that level, you first need good 3D animation software to work with.

Some other articles you may be interested in:

• Best free CAD software
• Best 3D CAD software
• The best 3D scanners
• The best 3D printers
• Best software for VFX

CHITUBOX Free is the best resin 3D slicer for beginners. With an easy-to-understand interface, this can automatically arrange your parts and generate supports in a single click.

More advanced users will benefit from Z-SUITE. It has a more powerful array of tools, like automatic triangle mesh repair and the ability to detect thin walls at risk of deforming.

1. CHITUBOX Free — Powerful yet free resin 3D slicer

Pros:

• Fast slicing speed
• Supports STL files and compatible with most resin 3D printers
• Good UX
• Good for generating supports for resin prints

Cons:

• Requires an account to download

CHITUBOX Free is a powerful but simple-to-use 3D slicer software made for resin printers. The clean user interface makes it easy to understand, even for beginners. This free 3D software tool can edit 3D models, generate supports, and slice the print according to your needs.

Additionally, CHITUBOX Free can automatically arrange parts to make the most efficient use of your 3D printer‘s build space, so you can print as many parts as possible, and also ensure they get printed correctly.

CHITUBOX Free supports the hollowing, infilling, cloning, mirroring, and scaling of resin 3D prints — which should cover most people’s printing needs. You can generate supports for your print in a single click, though there are also a number of other support settings for those who want to manually tweak them.

2. PreForm SLA Software — Formlabs 3D slicer

Pros:

• Very good at generating resin part supports
• Works very well with Formlabs 3D printers
• Simple to navigate and use

PreForm is Formlabs’ free slicer software made primarily for their Form 3 SLA printer slicer that uses advanced, proprietary calculations to generate supports and optimize print settings for resin parts. PreForm and CHITUBOX Free have a similar range of functions, including the ability to scale, move, and generate supports for resin models.

It’s built to be scalable, too. You can use PreForm SLA slicer with multiple printers concurrently — for example several Form 3s — and easily send prints to each SLA printer via WiFi. It’s simple to use, and also has a neat one-click print feature. Formlabs printer owners will definitely find this the best resin slicer, and others may too.

3. Z-SUITE — Zortrax SLA Slicer

Pros:

• A one-way operation process UX from importing print to slicing it
• A number of strong effective and advanced functions
• Comprehensive display information
• Comes with a self-built model library

Cons:

• The menu layout could be improved

Z-SUITE is Zortrax’s comprehensive slicing and 3D printing software which is optimized for the Zortrax Inkspire — one of our top resin 3D printers — and compatible with third-party LCD 3D printers.

Z-SUITE features a number of powerful advanced tools, including automatic triangle mesh repair, the ability to detect thin walls which could be at risk of deforming, and highlights any overhangs.

As with most other SLA 3D slicers, Z-SUITE has the ability to hollow out, infill, clone, and rotate models. You can automatically generate supports within the slicer that match the part’s geometry, and can also be manually edited if necessary. Like with Formlabs’ PreForm, you can use Z-SUITE with multiple Zortrax as part of a 3D printing farm and print many prints simultaneously.

4. PrusaSlicer – Open Source Resin Slicer

Pros:

• Clear, if basic UX
• Supports STL file export
• Experienced in 3D printing having dominated the RepRap 3D printer industry for years
• Large community of Prusa users

Cons:

• UX could be considered dated

PrusaSlicer (formerly known as Slic3r Prusa Edition or Slic3r PE) is Prusa’s own in-house developed slicer software based on the open-source project Slic3r. With the release of their Original Prusa SL1 resin 3D printer in 2018, they’ve added masked SLA (MSLA) mode into PrusaSlicer.

PrusaSlicer provides editing functions to scale, rotate and cut prints. Supports can be generated automatically and then edited manually under “points” mode. Various settings including print, material, and printer can be tweaked depending on your needs, with Prusa printer owners overall finding the resin 3D slicer very useful.

Download PrusaSlicer here

5. Formware 3D – Best Pro-Grade Resin Slicer

Pros:

• Advanced support generation and editing
• Specialized for 3D printed jewelry applications

Cons:

• Expensive: costs $150 for one license
• Beginners could find it difficult to use

Formware was founded in 2014 after initially starting to sell jewelry online back in 2013 with their consumer brand. As far as premium, professional-level resin printer software goes, their slicer rules the roost. Designed from the ground up to deliver every possible feature you need for slicing, Formware 3D is as complete a slicer you’re likely to come across anywhere.

Unlike the other resin part slicers on this list, Formware isn’t free — instead, it costs $149.95 for a license for a single computer, or $350 for a commercial license. Though, you can try out Formware 3D for 30 days with their free trial to decide whether it’s right for you.

For the price, you get a stellar 3D slicer tool specialized for resin printing, such as to make jewelry or dental implants. You can hollow, infill, add holes, mirror or scale prints with ease. Formware’s error detection is also very useful for avoiding wasting time with failed prints. It is most definitely a premium resin 3D slicer, with advanced tools suited to more advanced makers.

The functionality and feature list are dizzying, from standard SLA slicing features you’ll find elsewhere, such as drain holes, hollowing, support generation, anti-aliasing, infills, and masking, to a few unique ones.

We’re particularly big fans of the auto orientation function, automatic mesh error detection and diagnosis, and the floor structures tool that allow you to print on multiple vertical levels within the build volume to maximize output.

Formware 3D operating system compatibility stops bluntly at Windows despite a wealth of pro-grade features. Furthermore, Formware makes it very clear the resin slicer won’t play well with virtual environments due to GPU demands, so there’s no scope for a macOS or Linux workaround. It’s worth noting that Formware 3D is resource-intensive and requires a decent PC.

Formware 3D resin printer compatibility is nothing short of extensive, covering all types of SLA/DLP/LCD heavy hitters. Among them, we count the Anycubic Photon Series, Creality LD machines, most Elegoo Mars resin printers, all variants of the Formlabs Form, the Phrozen Shuffle and Sonic, QIDI Tech devices, and even a good selection of inkjet 3D printers.

6. Lychee Slicer

Pros:

• Raspberry Pi compatibility (and Mac/Linux/Windows)
• Wide resin printer compatibility

Cons:

• Pro version costs $6/month

With that familiar fleshy fruit as its namesake, the Lychee Slicer is an unassuming yet deceptively powerful open-source tool to bring your 3D resin prints to life.

It has something to offer, whatever your skill level. Those looking for a painless slicing experience will gape in awe at Lychee’s automated ‘Magic Menu’ tool, which automatically takes care of the complete slicing process from orientation and optimization to support and raft creation. Lychee packages all this functionality in a polished and foolproof UI so you’ll feel at home using whatever your 3D printing expertise.

There’s a veritable trove of customization options for expert users looking for complete control over the preparation process. Features and advanced tools such as island detection, real-time hollowing, support bracing, dynamic rafts, drain holes, in-depth custom support editing, and overhang previews guarantee a field day for the tinkerers out there.

OS compatibility encompasses Windows, Linux, macOS, and, interestingly, Raspberry Pi, a feature few other resin slicer software products support. Suppose you fancy keeping your 3D printing setup’s physical footprint to a minimum by incorporating a Pi rather than a full-blown desktop/laptop PC. In that case, this is yet another string to Lychee Slicer’s already impressive bow.

As for specific 3D printer compatibility, the list reads like a who’s who of the best resin 3D printers. Popular picks like the Anycubic Photon family, the Elegoo Mars bunch, and the Phrozen Sonic Mini range makes the cut and pair beautifully with the Lychee Slicer.

Now, on to the all-important matter of cost. Lychee developer Mango3D offers a free version, but the trade-off is a steady stream of ads and stripped-back functionality. The shackled features, such as no advanced support editing or high-quality hollowing, only really limit expert users. We have no issues recommending the free version for most if you can tolerate the ads.

Lychee Slicer 3 Pro sets you back $6 per month. There’s a 30-day trial to test the waters, though. Finally, for what Mango3D dubs ‘hardcore users,’ there’s the Lychee Slicer Premium, a full-fat with gravy on top version with added customer support, batch model repair, and four Lychee licenses for around $10 per month.

7. Photon Workshop – Best Anycubic Photon Slicer

Pros:

• Ideal resin LCD slicer for Anycubic Photon 3D printers
• 100% free

Cons:

• Less useful to non-Photon machines

Designed specifically for the Photon Series resin printers, Photon Workshop is Anycubic’s in-house-developed SLA slicer software.

Photon Workshop bleeds brownie points due to a lack of gloss and functionality compared to third-party counterparts. However, there’s a lot to be said for an official native slicer that’s user-friendly and just works as a slicer for Anycubic Photon models.

And, there lies the main appeal of the Anycubic slicer. You can opt for a more versatile third-party alternative like Lychee or the ChiTuBox slicer. Still, for convenience alone, Photon Workshop is worth considering if you’re firing up a brand new Photon printer.

Rest assured, Photon Workshop crams the A-to-Z of features you’ll need for the slicing process with a few nifty functions up its sleeve. These include up to 16x anti-aliasing, text pasting, drain holes, automatic and manual support generation, and hollowing.

As for price, the Photon slicer is 100% free with no paid tier. Full functionality is available to all and any. Photon Workshop is suited to both Windows and macOS users. Linux users have also found success firing up and using the resin printer slicer despite no official support from Anycubic.

8. NanoDLP — resin 3D slicer and controller

Pros:

• Versatile controller and slicer

Cons:

• Beginners may find it complex

NanoDLP isn’t so much a resin printer slicer as a comprehensive web interface to monitor and control your printer and every aspect of the slicing process. NanoDLP works with all resin printing technologies, including SLA, LCD, DLP, granting compatibility with a robust range of printers with an official stamp of approval from the likes of Phrozen and Microlay.

The printer management portion of NanoDLP allows you to calculate and assign dynamic cure times and speeds, trigger remote printing, calibrate, and pause/stop/resume printing. On the slicing front, you’ll find all the goodies you’d expect, including anti-aliasing, pixel dimming, hollowing, infills, masking, and with the NanoSupport editor add-on, custom support generation.

The interface is a little unorthodox compared to most other slicers and can be overwhelming at times due to the sheer depth of the features on offer. In that respect, NanoDLP is a resin slicer for advanced users willing to decrypt the software’s quirks and unique workflow.

NanoDLP also boasts extensive operating system support, covering Windows, macOS, and Linux. Additionally, NanoDLP places a particular emphasis on pairing well with Raspberry Pi and delivering compact control over the printing process from start to finish.

NanoDLP is entirely free. And, if you fancy giving it a whirl before downloading the full version, there’s a handy online interface demo to play around in and experiment.

9. B9Creator Software

Pros:

• Customized supports
• Easy editing process for parts

Cons:

• Fewer updates
• UX could be improved

B9Creations were one of the first 3D printer companies to experiment with desktop DLP 3D printing as it became democratized. Since then, a variety of other 3D printer companies have joined the market and created their own 3D slicers for printing resin parts.

B9Creations’ software is easy to use for basic resin part editing, like laying out, orienting and generating supports. They’ve been teasing a new 3D software program too, which will hopefully expand and bring innovative new features to resin printing.

You can download the dragon head 3D model used in the programs here.

How To Pick A Slicer For Your Resin Prints

Operating System Compatibility

This point needs little explanation, but it’s one newbies often overlook with SLA software. Always check that your operating system is indeed compatible with a particular slicer, especially premium versions that levy a license fee. You’ll find Windows compatibility in virtually all resin slicers, but if you’re running a macOS and Linux machine, take the time for a cursory check before downloading/paying.

Resin 3D Printer Compatibility

Like the point above, we can’t stress the importance of checking whether a slicer is compatible with your 3D printer. Official slicer websites are a great resource in that respect, often penning comprehensive lists of all compatible resin printers for easy reference.

Price

Commonly, you’ll find the best resin 3D printer slicers available for free, or at least available as a pared-down zero-cost version. Some slicers, like Lychee, incorporate ads to generate income, while others have premium versions with additional features. Expect to pay a monthly subscription fee or a one-off payment for these.

FAQs

If you’re looking for a resin printer:

• Best large volume resin 3D printers
• DIY SLA resin 3D printers (kits)

Related articles:

• Best 3D slicers
• Ender 3 slicer – best options
• Slic3r vs Cura
• Best Resins for 3D Printers

For most users, the best 3D architecture software is Revit. It has a steep learning curve, but once mastered, it provides a competitive edge for BIM-focused 3D modeling, with automation tools that improve efficiency and intuitive collaboration features.

If you’re looking to produce 2D architectural plans, AutoCAD is the best choice. It’s the industry standard, with specific architectural toolsets including pre-built objects like doors and windows to speed up the drawing process.

In this guide, I’ll compare my favorite tools across key characteristics like functionality, ease of use, platform compatibility, and price so you can decide which is right for you.

We’ll also discuss how to use these tools to step beyond concept drawings and exterior models to design interiors and populate buildings with 3D modeling.

1. Revit – Best BIM Architecture Software

Revit architecture software is an Autodesk product that focuses on allowing users to carry out effective building information modeling (BIM). BIM is an intelligent 3D model-based process that allows architects to plan, design and construct infrastructure more efficiently.

A recent report found 70% of US architects said that BIM has helped reduce errors in their work, and 56% said it increases client satisfaction, so it’s an invaluable tool.

Instead of just using lines and circles, you can build models using actual walls, roofs, windows, and doors, among other components. Revit does have a fairly steep learning curve, but once you’ve got the hang of it you can benefit from working with objects, rather than a vector between two points, to work quickly and gain a competitive edge.

One of Revit’s key BIM features is its automation. All the changes you make to your model are recorded and updated in all views, reducing coordination and drawing time, and the software coordinates these edits so that your project considers BIM at every stage.

Revit is also great for collaboration. You can coordinate multiple team members into a single project using a single centralized cloud-based database and model, allowing for greater teamwork.

A Revit annual subscription is $2,425, and there are also monthly and three-year plans available. It’s compatible with AutoCAD and other Autodesk products.

2. AutoCAD – Best 2D Architecture Software

AutoCAD has been a staple in the architecture industry since it was created in 1982. As it is such a popular software, having experience using it can be helpful when searching for architectural careers.

AutoCAD is primarily used as a 2D drawing tool to represent buildings at a basic level, with these drawings then transferred to other software for more advanced 3D modeling processes.

It has pre-built objects like doors and windows to speed up the drawing process, in addition to specific architectural, electric and mechanical toolsets to support different design types.

AutoCAD is used by both professionals and students and is a useful tool for inexperienced designers. It offers various teaching features, so you can use it to learn the basics of topics like design layers and line weight.

There is an architecture-specific version of the software available, which can be used to create more efficient base model drawings.

The cost of the stand-alone architectural drawing software is $1,690 per year, or you can pay $2,965 and get it as part of the Architecture, Engineering & Construction Collections. The software’s files are compatible with most other design packages.

Another benefit of AutoCAD is that it’s available as a mobile app and offers cloud-based storage, so you can view and edit your drawings in real time when you’re away from your PC.

3. Rhino 3D – Best 3D Architecture Software

While most 3D CAD software applications are best with straight lines, Rhino 3D is specifically designed to handle complex curved lines and NURBS surfaces.

This makes it valuable to many architectural designers as it can easily model any parts of structures that aren’t straight, such as the intersections of curved roofs. Rhino is based on the non-uniform rational basis spline (NURBS) model rather than the mesh-based application used in most 3D software, so it produces mathematically precise curves and free-form surfaces.

Rhino offers great flexibility, as designers can enter physical models or drawings into Rhino and it will then automate the creation of complex 3D modeling, so you can model without CAD skills. This makes Rhino more suitable for beginners than some other architecture design software.

Rhino 6, the latest version, even allows you to scan real-world data. This 3D architecture software also provides documentation for designs and has great editing tools, allowing you to create animations and realistic renders, so it’s really flexible software.

A single Rhino 6 license on Windows will set you back $1,160. There are a number of add-ons that you can purchase for additional fees. Unlike a lot of other architecture software, Rhino users don’t have to upgrade to the newest release and upgrades usually cost around half a new license.

4. ArchiCAD – Great For Beginners

ArchiCAD, developed by Graphisoft, was released back in 1987 and was the first CAD software that was able to create 2D and 3D models on a PC. It was also the first BIM product for personal computers. This combination of 2D, 3D, and BIM modeling makes it a popular product among architects, urban planners, and designers.

Whereas AutoCAD users can only draw 2D lines, ArchiCAD also offers 3D modeling, so it’s a versatile software. It’s known for being able to store large amounts of information in your 3D models, so it’s suitable for designing buildings, interiors and urban areas.

This software is renowned for being user-friendly and is a good option for beginners and students looking to learn the basics of architectural design. It’s also a time-effective software and offers several automated tools to ease complex processes, such as an inbuilt library of stair designs, with staircase designing often considered a difficult aspect of large projects.

ArchiCAD can be integrated with several software packages, such as V-Ray which allows you to create photoreal renderings of your designs.

ArchiCAD doesn’t release its official pricing online – you have to get a quote from resellers – but a new, full ArchiCAD 17 license costs around $4,995. There is also a 30-day free trial.

5. SketchUp – Best Free Architecture Software

If you’re looking for quality architecture design software that doesn’t break the bank, SketchUp is one of the best around. This free architectural software is particularly popular with beginners, students, and those working with small budgets, owing to its accessibility and real-world applications.

This software does lack some of the features of paid packages, but it still has the tools to create professional models. The free package comes without most of the exporting features, but you can choose to invest in the features that best suit your project for increased flexibility.

SketchUp is a good option for beginners who can use it to practice 3D modeling before moving on to more advanced software. It’s also favored for its speed, allowing you rapidly prototype designs while still at the conceptual stage, and more complex models can be created using the right add-ons.

SketchUp was bought by Google in 2006 and, though it’s since been sold to Trimble, Google implemented some nice features, such as the ability to pull topographical and satellite images from Google Maps into the software.

You can purchase more features for $119 per year, or SketchUp Pro for $299 per year. There’s also SketchUp Studio for professional use, which costs $1,199 annually. Trimble releases a new version of SketchUp each year.

6. 3D Studio Max – Great for Full Visualizations

Another Autodesk product, 3DS Max is one of the best architecture software packages for 3D designing. This was the first software to offer hardware-accelerated rendering of 3D images.

One of its main benefits is that you can create full architectural visualizations of your project, using photorealistic renderings and fly-through animations. It’s also a good tool for importing 2D drawings and translating them into objects that can be textured and rendered in 3D, which is useful for beginners as you can create realistic 3D models with minimal CAD knowledge.

There is an industry-specific Architecture, Engineering and Construction collection, which includes a number of other programs like AutoCAD and Revit. It also has tools for structural analysis, building performance analysis and steel detailing. It even offers vehicle path calculations.

An annual subscription for 3DS costs $1,620 while a monthly subscription is $205. You can also save around $500 if you go for the three-year subscription for $4,375. Each option comes with a 30-day free trial.

7. Chief Architect – Excellent Home Design Software

Chief Architect is ideal for residential home design rather than modeling other infrastructures like offices or retail parks. This software can be used by architects and remodeling professionals to obtain 2D and 3D renders of home models.

The software allows you to quickly construct 3D models of exterior and interior spaces, and then project those into 2D plans and elevations. It’s favored by many for its user-friendliness, and it’s a good option if you have a home design product but limited 3D modeling skills thanks to its live home design webinars and training.

Chief Architect boasts an intuitive interface and smart building tools, and it will create the 3D structure and automatically generate the building system of your project. You can also export 360° panorama renderings.

The Premier package costs $2,695.50, or $199 a month. You can also try the product for free courtesy of the trial.

8. CATIA – Best Architecture Design Software for Experts

CATIA was developed by Dassault Systemes over 30 years ago and was originally conceived to produce precise model military hardware.

The is designed to easily handle complex architectural problems and produce very accurate models. It is used in various sectors, ranging from architecture and automotive to aerospace and high-tech.

CATIA is also great for collaboration, and it recently expanded its coordination features to use Cloud functionality.

Frank Gehry, known for his works such as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, used CATIA to create his renowned curvilinear buildings.

In terms of pricing, you need to contact Dassault for a quote. To give you an idea, a full CATIA 3D license costs upwards of $11,000 for a one-time purchase, or around $1,700 for a quarterly lease.

9. V-Ray – Ideal for Realistic Rendering

V-Ray is a plugin, rather than standalone software, but it’s one of the best architecture software tools for realistic rendering, allowing you to show how your 3D models would look in the real world. It can be used with ArchiCAD, SketchUp, Rhino and 3DS, among other software packages.

The plugin offers access to the cleanest textures and one of the widest color palettes out there, meaning you can make the most of light and shade in your designs and create photoreal representations of your models. This makes it a useful tool if you’re looking to give your designs an extra flourish.

V-Ray isn’t well suited to beginners, as it requires a high level of operational expertise to use it effectively. You can purchase the whole package for around $697, or you can save money if you only buy the plugin for use with one particular software.

There’s also a student package which is just $148, so it’s a lot more affordable than many other architectural rendering software.

10. Fusion 360 – Versatile Software with One Year Free

Fusion 360 offers an all-in-one solution for design, testing, and fabrication, so it’s gained plenty of fans due to its versatility.

This Autodesk software offers collaborative work environments linked via cloud technology, so it can be used to bring together professionals from different areas on a single project. Fusion 360’s cloud-based structure also means you can use it on many devices, so you can access your designs via a smartphone or tablet.

It’s also a powerful architecture design software that can be used to produce realistic renders of your designs and models, so it’s useful for visualizations and presentations.

Another plus is that Fusion 360 is very well supported, with regular updates every few months bringing new features.

Fusion 360 is available for free for one year for non-commercial use. Subscriptions come at $70 a month or $573 a year, so it’s a good option for less experienced users or those working with a smaller budget.

If you enjoyed this article, check out our other 3D design guides to learn more:

• Best 3D Car Design Tools
• What’s the Top 3D Shoe Design Software?
• Which Free 3D Furniture Design Software is Best?
• The Best 3D Fashion Design Apps: Ranked
• The Best Tools for Creating Floor Plans
• My Top Picks for Garage Design Software
• Our Favorite Pool Design Software
• Create Your Dream Kitchen With these 3D Tools

Blender is the best 3D character-creator software for beginners on a budget. This free, versatile 3D character creator software can handle game characters, animations, and video editing.

With a large community of users, beginners can easily find tutorials, guides, and assets for whatever they might need.

Maya, on the other hand, is a professional 3D character maker for creating more detailed character designs.

It has a wider range of features, including interactive hair grooming, physics, and effects for creating realistic soft bodies and clothes. However, it requires a paid subscription, and the models take a long time to render.

The Best Character Design Software Ranked

As an artist, one of the most important tools you can have in your arsenal is a good 3D character builder. Whether you’re a concept artist working on a new game or an animator creating a new cartoon series, having the right software can make all the difference in your work.

Below are our top picks:

1. Blender – Free 3D Character Modeling Software

• Cost: Free

Blender is a free realistic 3D character creator software. It’s great for both low-polygon and high-polygon modeling, as well as sculpting, texturing, and animation. 

Blender is an open-source character creator program that has a fairly steep learning curve but is very powerful. It can be used to create game characters, animations, video editing, etc.

2. Maya – Professional Modeling and Animation Character Creator

• Cost: $225/m, $1,785/yr, or $5,085 paid every 3 yrs.

Maya is a 3D character maker that is used by many professional animators and artists. It is very versatile and has a wide range of features that make it perfect for creating high-quality and detailed character designs. 

For example, the software includes a feature called character setup that is useful in creating sophisticated skeletons and IK handlers. There is also an interactive hair grooming feature that is used for creating realistic fur and hair for characters.

With Maya, you can also do sculpting, texturing, and rigging. This means that artists can create characters that look and move exactly as they want them to. 

3. ZBrush – Powerful 3D Character Design Software

• Cost: $39.95/m, $385/yr, or a perpetual license of $895

If you’re looking for powerful software to create 3D characters specifically through sculpting, ZBrush is the way to go.

It’s frequently used by concept artists like Mike Winkelmann; featured among the 30 most influential 3D artists. ZBrush also has a wide range of brushes and tools to help you create your masterpiece, like simple, smooth, and standard brush tools.

There are many different types of sculpting brushes available in ZBrush.

Each brush has its own unique purpose and can be used to create different kinds of characters like humans, dungeons and dragons, sculptures, and Warhammer miniatures. 

4. Character Creator – Human 3D Model Maker

• Cost: $179

As its name suggests, this digital character creator is designed specifically for making characters for humans and other designs.

It has tools like Morph for creating morphs, skin, and makeup features for applying the skin and makeup to your characters. There is also the digital human shader tool useful for real-time renders of eyes, teeth, and hair.

It also comes with a huge library of assets and morphs targets that you can use as templates for creating your characters. 

You can also use this 3D human creator to rig your character and animate it.

5. MakeHuman – 3D Human Model Maker

• Cost: Free

MakeHuman is a powerful 3D person maker that enables you to create fully-fledged, professional-grade characters for your stories and games.

With MakeHuman, you can easily create detailed, lifelike characters that look and feel like they belong in your world.

Whether you’re creating a protagonist or an antagonist, a love interest, or a sidekick, this 3D human maker has the tools and features you need to bring your characters to life. 

6. Modo – Design a Person or Character With Ease

• Cost: $68/m, $689/yr

Modo is another all-in-one solution that’s popular among character designers. It is powerful, and flexible for creating humans and other characters. 

With its modular system of tools, you can quickly create any kind of character you can imagine, from simple to very complex. And because it is based on industry-standard technologies, you can easily integrate Modo into your existing pipeline.

What Makes a Good Character Creator Software?

When it comes to creating characters for your designs, you want to make sure you have the best tools at your disposal. Here are 8 things to look for in character creator software:

1. Ease of use: You want something that is user-friendly and won’t take forever to learn. You should be able to intuitively use the software with a minimal learning curve.
2. Price: Obviously, you don’t want to break the bank, but you also don’t want to skimp. It should also offer a free trial so you can try it before you buy. 
3. Flexibility: The software should allow you to create any type of character you can imagine.
4. Rich content library: A good 3d character generator will come with a rich library of content that you can use to create your characters.
5. Customization options: The ability to customize your designs is important so they stand out from the crowd. Look for software that offers a wide range of customization options. 
6. Character creation features: The software should have 3D character and creatures modeling tools.
7. Tutorials: It should have a good number of tutorials on how to make 3D character models.
8. Compatibility: Make sure the software is compatible with the common operating systems and browsers (if it’s an online character creator)

How Creator Creation Software Differs From Standard 3D Modeling Software

When it comes to creating characters, there is a big difference between character creator software and standard design modeling software. Here are the key differences:

• Character creator software is designed specifically for creating characters. This means that all of the tools and features are geared toward making it easy to create realistic characters. By contrast, most 3D modeling software is more general purpose and can be used for a variety of tasks, including creating characters.
• Character creator software typically has a much wider range of customization options. For example, you can usually change things like hairstyle, eye color, skin tone, body type, etc. With design modeling software, you are usually limited to a few basic customization options.
• Character creator software also often comes with a library of pre-made assets that you can use to create your characters. This can include things like clothes, accessories, hair, and more. Standard design modeling software typically does not come with these kinds of assets, or if it does, they are usually very limited in number and variety.
• Character creator software is generally much easier to use than design modeling software. This is because it is designed specifically for creating characters and so the interface and tools are geared towards that task. Standard design modeling software can be more complex to use because it is trying to be everything to everyone.
• Character creator software often includes tools for rigging and animating characters, while design modeling software typically does not. 
• Finally, character creator software is typically much more expensive than standard design modeling software.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Whether you are looking for a powerful tool to create 3D cartoons or characters for video games, there is a program out there that will fit your needs. With so many options available, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you.

We hope this article has helped you narrow down your choices and given you some idea of what to look for in a character creation program.

If not, we’ve got a range of other articles linked below on similar topics.

Other articles you may be interested in:

• Cura vs Slic3r
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• Best free 3D modeling software
• Best 3D sculpting software
• The best CAD software for 3D printing
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