3d Modelling Software reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 361 Reddit reviews across 20 subreddits and 48 posts to rank the best 3d Modelling Software brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/3Dprinting, r/3Dmodeling, r/IndustrialDesign, r/gamedev, r/MechanicalEngineering. Top-rated brands include Autodesk (4.2/5), Blender (4.2/5), Rhino (4.1/5).
Stats
Reviews361
Subreddits20
Posts48
Brands73
Products58
361 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Autodesk
4.2
(69)
"Fusion360 is free for hobbyists"
"I'm here to add another voice to the choir of Fusion360. Free license is great and won't give you any trouble."
"I use Fusion and love it."
"Fusion 360 is a powerful tool for 3D modeling and design."
"Free for personal use if you make less than 1000$ a year. Can recommend tutorials by Product Design Online on YouTube."
"Fusion 360 has been nothing but excellent. I'm an architect and I consider this my favorite AutoDesk program of all."
"Fusion 360 is free for hobbyists, great alternative to SolidWorks."
"Fusion360 is currently the best free modeling software available."
"Fusion 360 is intuitive and easy to learn. The sketching and extrusion features are straightforward."
"Fusion 360 is a lot more powerful than TinkerCAD, and I love having a timeline/history for making changes."
#2
Blender
4.2
(58)
"Blender is great, and it's possible to use customisable themes."
"This blender is not old and works great!"
"Blender might seem intimidating, but it's amazing. There are user made plugins for just about anything you could imagine and the workflow can be customized in amazing ways."
"You can increase the size of the whole UI including text size."
"You can try using Zbrush and Blender software."
"Do you want to make dragons and space marines? Go with Blender."
"Blender. You can do hard surface modeling as well as organic modeling."
"Yeah, definitely check out Blender, it's awesome and free!"
"Blender is free and among the best."
"Great for learning and creating with a focus on editing and modeling."
#3
Rhino
4.1
(25)
"Rhino + VisualARQ 🔥"
"I'd recommend exploring Rhino for the interface, especially if you're transitioning from Autocad 3D."
"Do yourself a favor and learn Rhino. It’s an incredible modeling software."
"Rhino offers freedom with free-form tools, allowing for creative 3D modeling."
"Rhino with Grasshopper is one of the best at modelling organic and parametric shapes."
"Rhino's the software of choice for a lot of skatepark designers for this reason!"
"If you are a student (in USA at least) you can get a perpetual license for Rhino 3D for $199. Otherwise it's $1000 for life."
"I like Rhino."
"Rhino was my go to and is still relevant in industry"
"I've already downloaded Rhino, so i guess I'll give it a try."
#4
Onshape
4.0
(20)
"Probably OnShape is your best option"
"I have started to use Onshape and I love it. It’s free and cloud based."
"I really like it."
"I really like Onshape."
"I used Fusion before, switched to OnShape now. They are quite similar."
"Fusion/Oneshape and now im home at plasticity."
"Onshape."
"Onshape is perfect for someone just starting out."
"Onshape doesn't require a download and runs on your browser."
"For personal hobby use, onshape or fusion 360 is best because they're free and cloud based."
#5
Solidworks
4.3
(18)
"In a professional setting designing mechanical parts for engine components, solidworks was perfect for me."
"Solidworks is preferred for its ease of modifying designs once built parametrically."
"Solidworks and Keyshot are the industry standards."
"SolidWorks is complete and safe for a beginner. You can learn a lot of useful things."
"SolidWorks is very intuitive and setup for mechanical design and generating engineering drawings."
"I'd recommend starting with Solidworks. Once you've got the basics of how CAD softwares work they relatively blend into one!"
"For precise/practical models SolidWorks."
"If you need fully fledged CAD-Software with a lot of features — you have either Fusion 360 (non-commercial use) or SolidWorks (Student/Community) or SolidEdge (Student/Community)."
"Solidworks has hobby licence for not so much money"
"I think ill go for learning solidworks first"
#6
FreeCAD
3.7
(18)
"I like freecad because there are no cloud or internet or licensing or demo version strings attached."
"FreeCAD is a really good open source program."
"FreeCAD is a great open source software alternative to paid options."
"I really like FreeCAD."
"Learn FreeCAD; it's free and open source, with tons of users and resources for learning."
"FreeCAD (especially the 1.0 release candidate) is well worth a look."
"I've pretty much learnt freecad in a week (for my current purposes)."
"FreeCAD, OpenSCAD, Blender. They are all free open source software."
"I use OpenSCAD mostly and FreeCAD for the more complex designs."
"I love FreeCAD, it's been a treat to use with excellent tutorials available."
#7
Tinkercad
3.9
(16)
"Tinkercad is online and free, making it a great tool for basic modeling."
"I've used it down to Year 1."
"Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm going to give Tinkercad a go! It seems very well set up for schools."
"DET NSW have set up a series of YouTube videos explaining how to use it and how to connect to 3D printers if you need more support."
"Simple to use and a good starting point for beginners."
"Great for small and easy things."
"Tinkercad?"
"It's free and simple to use but a bit too simple."
"Tinkercad is another option that is easy to use."
"TinkerCAD is great for making basic modifications to existing .STLs, like adding holes or text."
#8
Fusion 360
3.8
(12)
"Fusion 360 is free and a great way to learn solid modeling."
"Fusion 360 is a great tool for mastering history-based parametric design."
"Fusion 360 is also excellent for parametric modeling and design history."
"Fusion 360 might be a little easier to transition into."
"Fusion360"
"Your best choice is either solidworks or fusion360"
"Fusion360 offers more features than OnShape."
"Fusion 360"
"I personally prefer Fusion360 but TinkerCAD is a simple design application as well."
"Fusion 360 is excellent for precise measurements."
#9
Pixologic
4.9
(7)
"You can try using Zbrush and Blender software."
"If you have money than zbrush :) "
"Zbrush is the professional standard, it is like sculpting with digital clay."
"Zbrush ftw"
"Zbrush is the best sculpting software if you're doing really detailed stuff like the Pieta or something."
"Best sculpting software is Zbrush, however there are others that are just as good."
"Zbrush is king for 3d sculpting, however it is very daunting at first and the UI is quite soemthing to new users."
#10
Sketchup
3.8
(8)
"Very beginner-friendly."
"Many forgers use Google sketchup to make map designs."
"For a true 3D beginner it doesn't get any easier than Sketchup, and it is free!"
"Another alternative is Google Sketchup."
"SketchUp for geometric and Sculptris for freehand."
"Sketch up"
"Skethup"
"Sketch up"
#11
OpenSCAD
4.0
(7)
"OpenSCAD is a powerful tool for 3D modeling."
"FreeCAD, OpenSCAD, Blender. They are all free open source software."
"I use OpenSCAD mostly and FreeCAD for the more complex designs."
"Plenty of free online offerings. OpenSCAD runs fine in Linux, I've been enjoying that one a lot of late."
"OpenSCAD is a great tool for those with programming experience, allowing for a unique approach to 3D modeling."
"If you've got some programming experience, I recommend OpenSCAD - almost feels like writing the DNA of an object."
"I used to use OpenSCAD."
#12
Trimble
4.3
(6)
"SketchUp is the way to go. It starts simple enough that anyone can use it after a month or so."
"Sketchup is the easiest."
"Use google sketchup (free) until you have learned the basics and are ready to take the step and invest in fusion360."
"Sketchup is another good option. Its Layout software is useful, and learning 2D CAD or modeling is easy."
"Sketchup is used mostly for massing/very early conceptual design."
"SketchUp is probably the easiest to learn and something that most offices would expect you to know by the time you graduate."
#13
Plasticity
3.8
(5)
"Easy to learn 3D cad modeling app and not that expensive."
"Plasticity has a trial version. See if it runs."
"For less traditional approaches to CAD, you can look at Plasticity (think blender + cad functionality) or Shapr3D."
"Fusion/Oneshape and now im home at plasticity."
"One time, not parametric"
#14
Zbrush
4.8
(4)
"Zbrush is the answer. Hasbro and other major toy companies use it"
"Zbrush"
"I use zbrush."
"Zbrush is also powerful and self-taught through YouTube."
#15
Dassault Systèmes
4.3
(4)
"Solidworks is the obvious answer as once you learn and master it, the others are kind of small alterations of it."
"I highly recommend using Solidworks because the of weldment feature."
"A much easier platform to learn and use although doesn't have the array of features ProE had."
"SolidWorks is great for finding a job."
#16
Alias
4.3
(4)
"Alias or Rhino is the surfacing tool of choice for most automotive and high-end consumer electronics."
"Alias is essential for automotive design."
"Alias allows managing surfaces and creating multiple versions without adding parts to the assembly."
"I have always used Alias or Rhino."
#17
Maxon
4.3
(3)
"Cinema 4D is easy to use and great for creating pretty renders."
"Cinema 4D is the easiest one to learn."
"Cinema 4D is good too but I don't know much about it."
#18
Nomad Sculpt
4.0
(3)
"Nomad sculpt for android or iOS. It is very intuitive to learn and by far the easiest to navigate."
"Nomad sculpt for tablets. I heared it's quite beginner friendly."
"3d coat, mud box, nomad sculpt too."
#19
3ds Max
4.0
(3)
"Any decent 3D software should do the trick. (Blender, maya, 3ds max..)"
"How difficult would this be to make in something like Blender or 3ds max?"
"3dsmax"
#20
Maya
4.0
(3)
"Any decent 3D software should do the trick. (Blender, maya, 3ds max..)"
"They're all about equally good for basic modeling."
"Lightwave, Maya, 3DS, and Blender are more than capable as long as they can export STL."
#21
Sculptris
3.7
(3)
"Sculptris is also a good tool."
"I'd also like to suggest Sculptris. It's free, and great for creating organic shapes."
"Sculptris or autodesk meshmixer"
#22
SolidWorks
3.3
(3)
"Solidworks for Makers is now $48 a year. I have never liked fusion but solidworks makes a lot of sense to me."
"48 USD/year is too much for 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS for Makers"
"SolidWorks is not free and lacks the accessibility of OnShape."
#23
DesignSpark
4.5
(2)
"Free and easy to use – Two steps above TinkerCad."
"It's free, easy to use, no subscription fees, not Cloud based."
#24
Foundry
4.5
(2)
"Modo is my personal favorite."
"Modo is also a good option to try."
#25
McNeel
4.5
(2)
"I'm a huge fan of Rhino 3D, been using it for years."
"Rhino is good too."
#26
Call Me Vice
4.5
(2)
"A comprehensive list of both free and paid 3D modeling tools that are essential for 3D printing."
"This might help."
#27
Wings3D
4.0
(2)
"Quickest to learn while remaining free"
"Wings3D is another free modeling option."
#28
Solid Edge
4.0
(2)
"If you need fully fledged CAD-Software with a lot of features — you have either Fusion 360 (non-commercial use) or SolidWorks (Student/Community) or SolidEdge (Student/Community)."
"Siemens offers Solid Edge Community version, which is a full version of the latest Solid Edge software with almost no limitations."
#29
Cinema 4D
4.0
(2)
"Cinema 4D is great for rendering, but precision is not achievable with similar software."
"It's pricey but it's good and I still use it weekly on jobs."
#30
DAZ3D
4.0
(2)
"Hexagon is a free modeling tool."
"Carrara 8.5 is a good 3D package with a shallow learning curve."
#31
3D-Coat
3.5
(2)
"3Dcoat would be very handy for this."
"3d coat, mud box, nomad sculpt too."
#32
PTC
3.5
(2)
"Creo is also a strong choice for job seekers."
"Very complex, difficult to learn but very powerful piece of software."
#33
Mudbox
3.0
(2)
"3d coat, mud box, nomad sculpt too."
"There is also mud box."
#34
Morphi
5.0
(1)
"Nothing is easier than Morphi app for iPad."
#35
Tamasoft
5.0
(1)
"Pepakura Designer is an excellent tool for creating paper models."
#36
Siemens
5.0
(1)
"Siemens NX is by far the best."
#37
RS Online
5.0
(1)
"It’s the free version of Spaceclaim. I couldn’t possibly suggest it to more people."
#38
Design Spark
5.0
(1)
"It's free and has a basic tutorial for making shapes."
#39
Sculpteo
5.0
(1)
"Sculpteo offers a comprehensive guide on Linux CAD software for 3D modeling."
#40
CATIA
5.0
(1)
"If you are going to learn, go ahead and learn the best CATIA."
#41
Moment of Inspiration
5.0
(1)
"This program is absolutely amazing, its powerful but at the same time intuitive and easy to use."
#42
LibreCAD
5.0
(1)
"Those are my go-to programs when building parts."
#43
Rhinoceros
5.0
(1)
"Rhino/Grasshopper for product design"
#44
Dassault Systèmes 3DExperience
5.0
(1)
"It's really cool to say the least."
#45
4.0
(1)
"Blender is a feature packed 3D modeling software but you might try Google SketchUp for their simple interface."
#46
Smith Micro
4.0
(1)
"Poser has pre built humans you can modify and mess with."
#47
CSP
4.0
(1)
"CSP has a companion program called Modeler for creating custom character models."
#48
Turn Racing
4.0
(1)
"You can purchase some of his 3D files from his store for like $10-50. High quality and a lot more refined than a lot of the models on like Thingiverse."
#49
Accessibility Tools
4.0
(1)
"Consider augmenting eyesight with accessibility tools, whether that be changing your monitor resolution, plugins for Blender, or Windows apps that can be a magnifying glass."
#50
3D Software
4.0
(1)
"Knowing your goals can help you focus in on what versions or what software you may want to use."
#51
Keyshot
4.0
(1)
"Keyshot is excellent for rendering."
#52
MagicPoser
4.0
(1)
"I used one called MagicPoser for a while for character pose references."
#53
SculptGL
4.0
(1)
"SculptGL is pretty good for organic forms."
#54
Max
4.0
(1)
"Pick one that fits your price range and you have learning materials for."
#55
Design Spark Mechanical
4.0
(1)
"Design Spark Mechanical is also good for precise measurements."
#56
Ansys
4.0
(1)
"Ansys Space claim is like this (design spark is their lower tier free cheap version I think)"
#57
Alibre
4.0
(1)
"One time purchase"
#58
VisualARQ
4.0
(1)
"And add Visual ARQ"
#59
Marvelous Designer
4.0
(1)
"Maybe try Marvelous designer, I have never used it myself but it seems like a solid choice for making cloth based things."
#60
Viverse
4.0
(1)
"Welcome to check out our recommended article: top 7 beginner-friendly 3D modeling software."
#61
Autodesk Fusion 360
4.0
(1)
"I know Fusion 360 (and others) have built-in animation support on assemblies..."
#62
Toy Theater
4.0
(1)
"And even better is this interactive cube where you remove smaller cubes from it, to make shapes."
#63
MatterHackers
4.0
(1)
"Also check out these lists."
#64
Autodesk Maya
4.0
(1)
"Maya or Blender would do."
#65
Autodesk 3ds Max
4.0
(1)
"You will need something like 3dsmax."
#66
Rhino 6
4.0
(1)
"I like Rhino 6 and it's free trial lasts a long time."
#67
DesignSpark Mechanical
4.0
(1)
"Design Spark Mechanical would be a good option."
#68
Inventor
3.0
(1)
"Inventor is made for engineering with a defined shape, making it less flexible for surface modeling."
#69
Graphisoft
3.0
(1)
"Archicad and soft plan come to mind."
#70
Shapr 3D
3.0
(1)
"Subscription"
#71
MoI3D
3.0
(1)
"Blender or MoI3D"
#72
Alice
3.0
(1)
"Alice 2.0"
#73
Metasequoia
2.0
(1)
"Although a minor-software, 'Metasequoia 4' has a UI panel with 'big icons', suitable for children and beginners, but it has much less functionality than Blender."
Discover your audience
GummySearch is an audience research toolkit for 130,000 unique communities on Reddit.
If you are looking for startup problems to solve, want to validate your idea or find your customers online, GummySearch is for you.
Sign up for free, get community insights in minutes.
Tell me more
Get started
