3d Modeling Software reviews from Reddit

Summary

We analyzed 276 Reddit reviews across 31 subreddits and 64 posts to rank the best 3d Modeling Software brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/3Dprinting, r/3Dmodeling, r/IndustrialDesign, r/BambuLab, r/PrintedWarhammer. Top-rated brands include Blender (4.6/5), Autodesk (4.3/5), Onshape (4.0/5).

Stats

Reviews276

Subreddits31

Posts64

Brands95

Products33

Top communities

r/3Dprinting70 r/3Dmodeling31 r/IndustrialDesign21 r/BambuLab20 r/PrintedWarhammer15

276 reviews from

and

By Brand

By Product

Blender

4.6

(48)

"Blender, is the best and only free software, and in my opinion, the best overall software."

"Honestly blender is your best choice. It is vast, but it's free, it's the best supported software on the market."

"Blender is absolutely the way to go."

"Blender. Do the donut tutorial. All u need."

"I would like to introduce you to blender. its free, offers a ton of tools and a giant community."

"Blender all day long."

"Right now the best bet for most people would be Blender because it’s free."

"Blender, always always go for blender."

"Just use blender, most tutorials are centred around it."

"Have you really never heard of blender?"

Autodesk

4.3

(26)

"I’ve been using fusion 360 and i love it."

"If it's for home use, you can get fusion360 for free."

"I would recommend Fusion360 or Inventor."

"There is a free version of Fusion360 (designate yourself as a hobbyist/maker) that has 99% of the features you'd ever want."

"Start with fusion360 and invest the time learning it."

"Fusion360. No question."

"I recommend fusion 360 too, i have been using it for years."

"Fusion is really good. But for softer organic shapes like bodies and clothing, a sculpting tool like Blender or Zbrush is more appropriate."

"You could give Fusion 360 a try. There should be plenty of tutorials and documentation out there."

"I used fusion 360 for mine, and I'm pretty happy with it."

Onshape

4.0

(16)

"Teaching tech on YouTube really helped me get started with onshape."

"You might find OnShape a possibility."

"Onshape is fantastic as long as you are okay with your parts being open sourced automatically."

"Another good one is fusion 360, I'd say fusion is alot more popular but onshape is very easy to use."

"OnShape has free student licenses."

"I use Onshape, it is free and there are great tutorials on how to use it on YouTube."

"We use Onshape at my work."

"Onshape? Tinkercad?"

"Onshape CAD is pretty easy to get started with."

SolidWorks

3.9

(15)

"There is only 1 answer; Solidworks."

"Solidworks is pretty easy to get for free, if you catch my drift."

"I use SolidWorks."

"I'd probably use SolidWorks and do a one year license."

"I agree with the suggestion above to stick with Solidworks."

"SolidWorks is great for designing hard goods."

"Solidworks or Rhino and Keyshot have been a requirement for every role I've been in."

"Solidworks and keyshot are usually taught first."

"Solidworks / inventor and keyshot are the most common I think."

"+1 on Solidworks"

TinkerCAD

4.1

(13)

"As everyone said, TinkerCAD is easy and frankly I use it for everything."

"Tinkercad! Super easy boolean operations."

"I really really love Tinkercad."

"Tinkercad is great for beginners."

"For a program that is free, only needs about 15min worth of a tutorial and can remix pre-made stls I'd vote to take a look at Tinkercad.com."

"Tinkercad is what you're looking for. It's a free, web-based 3d modeling tool."

"TinkerCAD, Fusion360, Shapr3D"

"TinkerCAD."

"For beginners, tinkercad."

"TinkerCAD is good to look at for creating something that is true to size."

FreeCAD

3.8

(10)

"I've been really happy with FreeCAD."

"If you prefer to have your files locally rather than cloud-based, give FreeCAD a try."

"You can use a lot of programs to create STL files. freecad, fusion360, blender, onshape, tinkercad, openscad, and many more."

"FreeCAD is pretty great, just takes a bit of time to get use to it."

"Freecad or Fusion360, I personally hate fusion360 since it's internet based."

"FreeCAD and some OpenSCAD."

"FreeCAD is a good place to start."

"Freecad is fairly simple to learn."

"FreeCAD, this is ehat broke people like me use🥲😑"

"I use FreeCAD, but honestly, I hesitate to recommend it."

Sketchup

3.7

(6)

"I would also recommend Sketchup for something like this. Fairly easy to learn the basics & you can use its browser based version for free."

"You can use SketchUp trial (free for 40 days). Or blender (free always)."

"Sketchup is good to look at for creating something that is true to size."

"I use sketchup for buildings and more hard surface objects."

"Fast and simple for low poly models? Try SketchUp."

"SketchUp is good but it’s limited and typically low-res."

Gravity Sketch

4.4

(5)

"**Gravity Sketch** (free for personal use) is fantastic for intuitive modeling directly in VR."

"Gravity sketch in VR has been my new favorite for concepting and rendering purposes."

"On meta quest, you could try Gravity Sketch it is free and already somewhat powerful."

"Gravity Sketch, Shapes and Arkio all run native on Quest."

"Gravity Sketch"

Cinema 4D

4.2

(5)

"Cinema 4D is a superior rendering app."

"The best software for creating models for 3D printing."

"Inb4 blender.... but also, cinema 4d, 3ds max, unreal engine"

"Beeple uses C4D, so that's a good endorsement right there."

"Cinema 4D's pretty quick to get into but I don't like it's way of unwrapping."

#10

Fusion 360

4.0

(5)

"Fusion360 is free for home users and isn’t too hard to learn."

"Fusion 360 and autocad/tinkercad."

"I found Fusion 360 pretty straightforward to learn."

"Fusion360 can be put into an offline mode once installed and activated."

"I think fusion360 may be an option."

#11

Billie Ruben

5.0

(4)

"Here is an assortment of resources: * BillieRuben's flowchart is a great place to start"

#12

ZBrush

3.2

(6)

"I've used a combination, Zbrush is great."

"Zbrush. Very expensive but it has tools that allow you to quickly 'sketch' 3D models and 3D sculpting is faster than modeling during the early stages."

"Try zBrush. More tutorials, more assets and even Blizzard uses zbrush."

"Costs monthly and add-ons come on top of that."

"ZBrush has a god awful user interface."

"ZBrush is really not for beginners."

#13

3DS Max

3.2

(6)

"3Ds Max is powerful for animation and rendering."

"I started with 3ds max and I am still using it."

"Max, just stick with the industry standard."

"Costs monthly and add-ons come on top of that."

"3DS Max does not support STL export, making it unsuitable for 3D printing."

"3ds Max is far from free."

#14

Maya

3.2

(5)

"The best software for creating models for 3D printing."

"For 3d modeling either Maya or 3ds Max would be great!"

"Costs monthly and add-ons come on top of that."

"I’ve only used Maya, Blender and 3D Studio Max, but I personally always felt Maya was easier to get into."

"Maya is also far from free."

#15

Rhino

4.0

(4)

"Rhino is effective for generating concept models."

"Rhino is another popular tool in the design pipeline."

"Rhino is most common around me and Thea render."

"Rhino is quite popular in jewelry, yacht design, and furniture design."

#16

OpenSCAD

3.8

(4)

"I love writing code, so I use OpenSCAD."

"Openscad, it somes with its own text editor"

"Also look at OpenSCAD."

"I like OpenSCAD, but it probably appeals mostly to computer programmers."

#17

BillieRuben

5.0

(3)

"Is a great place to start"

#18

Shapr3D

4.7

(3)

"Shapr3D is free for students, real easy to learn and it is really only one of the CAD programs for iPad."

"I use Shapr 3D for my design projects and it works great!"

"Shapr3D is easier to learn than Fusion 360, especially for those with a short attention span."

#19

McNeel

4.0

(3)

"Rhino is great for freeform nurbs modeling."

"Our shop has autocad, fusion 360, rhino and vectorworks people all of whom are trying to convert the others to their software."

"The latest update to Rhino adds much of the functionality of ZBrush."

#20

Spline

4.0

(3)

"It's a new tool but it's very nice. Easy to use and contains web events like onClick etc ..."

"Spline is a good tool for a free Figma-like option that runs on the browser."

"It’s dead simple to get something working on the web without knowing the code side of it."

#21

Keyshot

3.7

(3)

"For high detail renders, Keyshot is the best choice."

"Keyshot is widely used for rendering, especially at the end of a design pipeline."

"Keyshot is absolutely useless for interior design, as it doesn't support camera clipping planes."

#22

Pixologic

5.0

(2)

"ZBrush is the industry standard for digital sculpting."

"I own ZBrush and they do free updates, so I'll probably never give it up."

#23

Apple

4.5

(2)

"Shapr3D is real easy to learn and faster for building products or furniture on iPad."

"You can use Shapr3D on iPad, which is good if you have an up-to-date iPad with an Apple Pen."

#24

Rhinoceros

4.5

(2)

"I learned Rhino in high school and have been using it ever since."

"Rhino is used a lot for designing soft goods."

#25

Nomad Sculpt

4.5

(2)

"Nomad Sculpt is the easiest to learn and most user friendly."

"Nomad Sculpt is great for learning on the go with an iPad."

#26

Creo

4.0

(2)

"Creo is even better than SW to me."

"I've had a lot of experience with Creo at work."

#27

SolveSpace

4.0

(2)

"It's quick, easy to use after a short while, tiny exe and completely standalone."

"SolveSpace is another solid choice for free parametric CAD."

#28

Windows 3D Builder

3.5

(2)

"Windows3D Builder is great for fixing mesh issues and simple slicing."

"I find that I can do 90% of what I need in Windows 3D Builder."

#29

Trimble

3.0

(2)

"SketchUp is decent, especially with some plugins."

"Not suitable for beginners trying to get something to print."

#30

Dassault Systèmes

3.0

(2)

"SOLIDWORKS is highly recommended for engineering design."

"Controls are not shared by any other programs, nor are they re-assignable."

#31

Pixcap

5.0

(1)

"I used Pixcap for web-based software."

#32

Polygonjs

5.0

(1)

"It allows you to do procedural modeling, custom shaders, particles, audio, and more."

#33

Daz Studio

5.0

(1)

"Daz Studio is free and comes with few of the best human base meshes."

#34

Dassault

5.0

(1)

"SolidWORKS offers great features for mechanical design."

#35

Siemens

5.0

(1)

"I didn't think I'd like anything better than Fusion until trying this. As a bonus no cloud to slow things down or internet connection needed."

#36

Unity

5.0

(1)

"Blender is genuinely awesome, but if you're hitting a snag with materials, maybe give Unity's ProBuilder a try!"

#37

Microsoft

5.0

(1)

"Paint 3D is an excellent tool for creative projects."

#38

Z

5.0

(1)

"Brush is king when it comes to organic shapes."

#39

OpenScad

5.0

(1)

"OpenScad is used for accurate dimensions, then export into blender for finishing. Both are free and have a lot of resources and communities to get you started."

#40

Acon

5.0

(1)

"Acon 3D has recently released a 3D modeler for free that looks amazing."

#41

Filer.dev

5.0

(1)

"This free web editor is specifically for GLB files and comes with tools to convert to GLB for most formats."

#42

Artisans of Vaul

5.0

(1)

"Artisans of Vaul has simple and specific tutorials for sculpting."

#43

Slicer 3D

5.0

(1)

"Great for exporting DICOM files to OBJ for modeling in Blender."

#44

Curvy 3D

5.0

(1)

"Curvy 3D is simpler than ZBrush or Blender, making it easier to draw shapes."

#45

Plasticity

5.0

(1)

"I've recently been using Plasticity and I'm liking it a lot, there's a 30 day free trial."

#46

V-Ray for Rhino

5.0

(1)

"V-Ray for Rhino speeds things up considerably for complex models."

#47

Poser

5.0

(1)

"It pretty much has all those features."

#48

Wings 3D

5.0

(1)

"I get Wings3D 10 out of 10."

#49

Autodesk Fusion 360

5.0

(1)

"Would love to hear feedback on what programs cater to those niches"

#50

3D Modeling Software

5.0

(1)

"Must have had a fire sale on 3d printers..."

#51

General

5.0

(1)

"The best modeling program is whichever one works for you, and enables you to create what you want."

#52

Maxon

4.0

(1)

"For basic sculpting, ZBrushCoreMini is a great free option to learn how ZBrush works."

#53

SGI

4.0

(1)

"Maya has a nice balance between quality-of-life features and vintage rendering."

#54

Strata

4.0

(1)

"The quality is very similar to that era's 3D gaming when set to lower spec configuration for rendering."

#55

Dell

4.0

(1)

"For PS2 style models, x86 workstations like old Netburst Dell Precision are recommended."

#56

Pentium

4.0

(1)

"Pentium III-era boxes are also suitable for modeling."

#57

DesignSpark

4.0

(1)

"DesignSpark Mechanical is also simple."

#58

Daz3D

4.0

(1)

"DAZ3D is quick and simple for rigging and posing."

#59

Hexagon

4.0

(1)

"Hexagon 2.5 can be quite powerful."

#60

Kenney Shape

4.0

(1)

"Basically as simple as drawing some pixels. I love working with this to prototype stuff."

#61

Asset Forge

4.0

(1)

"Put together pre-made blocks to design new objects. The included library of blocks is huge."

#62

clara.io

4.0

(1)

"Has a lot of features, but is a bit simpler than blender in my opinion."

#63

Dust3D

4.0

(1)

"Can be used to make quite complex models. The user interface is more beginner friendly than blender."

#64

Blackjack

4.0

(1)

"A procedural modelling application; node-driven interface where you can compose operations to create a 3d mesh."

#65

threejs

4.0

(1)

"Learn the actual code side of things with something like threejs."

#66

Vectary

4.0

(1)

"I used Vectary for some pretty basic stuff, might be worth having a look."

#67

Acorn 3D

4.0

(1)

"Acorn 3D offers amazing models for a price, ideal for high-quality projects."

#68

CSP EX

4.0

(1)

"CSP EX provides a good variety of 3D backgrounds."

#69

ViaCAD

4.0

(1)

"It's only £200 one time purchase in the App Store, no subscription."

#70

TinkerCad.com

4.0

(1)

"Something basic and easy"

#71

C4D

4.0

(1)

"Quite some people like C4D."

#72

Makehuman

4.0

(1)

"Makehuman is also free and easier to use, with sliders that allow you quick deployment of humans across races, sex, size, age etc."

#73

eMachineShop

4.0

(1)

"EMachineShop offers free parametric CAD that allows commercial use."

#74

123CAD

4.0

(1)

"If I'd have to switch to something else it would be 123CAD."

#75

Plasticity 3D

4.0

(1)

"Plasticity 3D is worth a look imho"

#76

Vectorworks

4.0

(1)

"Our shop has autocad, fusion 360, rhino and vectorworks people all of whom are trying to convert the others to their software."

#77

All3DP

4.0

(1)

"I find both of these "top 10" lists helpful as a starting point depending on whether you are looking for modeling or CAD ..."

#78

Autodesk InfraWorks

4.0

(1)

"I think Autodesk Infraworks, works :-)"

#79

ZBrush Core Mini

4.0

(1)

"Zbrush Core Mini"

#80

Viverse

4.0

(1)

"Welcome to check out our recommended article: [https://www.news.viverse.com/post/top-7-beginner-friendly-3d-modeling-software]"

#81

Alias

4.0

(1)

"Alias, Solidworks, and especially Rhino are mostly common for modeling."

#82

Blockbench

4.0

(1)

"You could take a look at Blockbench, it's relatively easy to learn."

#83

Ecut

4.0

(1)

"Ecut is like $50 and makes boxes like a hot damn."

#84

Fusion

4.0

(1)

"If you need dimensional precision you wanna use Fusion or Onshape."

#85

Solid Edge

4.0

(1)

"Solidedge is free for students, fusion 360 and onshape Work too"

#86

Autodesk Inventor

4.0

(1)

"If you have an EDU email. Autodesk inventor. (Free) Otherwise Fusion 360."

#87

Strata 3D

3.0

(1)

"Strata3D is used in an old-school context."

#88

TurboCAD

3.0

(1)

"TurboCAD has limited training materials."

#89

Moi3D

3.0

(1)

"Moi3D is lower cost but lacks integrated rendering."

#90

DesignSpark Mechanical

3.0

(1)

"DesignSpark Mechanical is Windows only, but it allows commercial use."

#91

Polybuilder

3.0

(1)

"The next best thing would be using in engine editors like polybuilder."

#92

Substance Painter

3.0

(1)

"I think you are actually looking for a texturing program like substance painter."

#93

Bambulab

2.0

(1)

"The modeling software is extremely limiting."

#94

Meshmixer

2.0

(1)

"Meshmixer is only good for modifying pre-existing meshes."

#95

Quest

2.0

(1)

"Most 3D modeling software on Quest lacks serious functionality and precision."

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