Posted By Lucie Gaget on Jan 24, 2018 |
3D modeling software is used by character designers for animation, illustration, cinema and video-games. This kind of software is essential to create complex characters, or creature designs for science-fiction movies for example. Obviously, efficient software is required in order to create really detailed and realistic designs. It can also be used for rendering, and even for 3D printing. Indeed, some software dedicated to character design are offering the possibility to get 3D models optimized for 3D printing. This way you could 3D printing your 3D character, for professional or personal purposes. It is a good way to make miniatures to work on design and details.
Looks like you don't have Flash or something. Insight3d lets you create 3D models from photographs. You give it a series of photos of a real scene (e.g., of a building), it automatically matches them and then calculates positions in space from which each photo has been taken (plus camera’s optical parameters) along with a 3D pointcloud of the scene. Maya is 3D computer animation software with powerful modeling, rendering, simulation, texturing, and animation tools for artists, modelers, and animators. Build your own universe with Daz Studio, the free 3D software. With our premier Character System and smart content, you can mix, match, blend, and build the perfect character and scene.
In this blogpost we will see more precisely what is 3D character design, and what are the best software to create 3D characters. Thanks to this top, you will find the software that will perfectly fit your needs, and that will help you with your design projects.
3D modeling software and character design: The perfect match
Choosing the good 3D software
3D software is now an essential tool to create character designs. Thanks to these efficient programs, the possibilities are becoming endless for concept artists or professional designers, in charge of the creation of 3D characters for various projects. In order to create the perfect figure, you have to choose the good software to get an optimized result.
3D modeling software allows working on many different aspects, such as sculpture, painting or texture. Some of them are better for renderings, others are more used for cinematographic purposes. There is also software specially made for 3D character creation, which will be more efficient to work on morphologies or expressions in order the create a unique character.
Character modeling is not for everybody
Chara design is not just for anyone. It requires a lot of knowledge and practice in order to get impressive results, and very detailed characters. A real character designer knows how to create human-like models, with fluid gestures and good body topologies.
Digital art designs are a real job, that is why some software tools are quite complex, they are not made for art enthusiasts. Moreover, even if you are experienced with 3D modeling software, character modeling requires a lot of practice. Indeed, being creative is not enough. 3D artists have a lot of knowledge regarding 3D character creation: for example, the visual aspect of the 3D figures has to match with the character personality and psychology. They have to take into account a whole background and it also has to match with the visual identity of the project.
What is the best specialized 3D software to design 3D characters?
Some software tools are made especially for chara design. We made a selection of the best software, for amateurs and for experienced users.
MakeHuman
MakeHuman is a free and open source 3D modeling software. It can be used to create a 3D character for any application, from illustration to cinema. This open source software is perfect for beginners, it has an intuitive interface and all the various parameters are easy to use. There are for example a lot of facial features. This design software offers 1170 morphings for effective parametric modeling, allowing to work on body proportions, faces, eyes, etc. MakeHuman is offering a lot of possibilities, especially for amateurs, with no previous experience in 3D modeling. However, you will not be able to make realistic rendering with this open source software.
![3d Figure Modeling Software 3d Figure Modeling Software](https://www.techjockey.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/animation-software.jpg)
Daz Studio
Daz Studio is a free composition and rendering software. Thanks to this program you will be able to modify characters so they can fit your needs. There are different platforms available inside Daz Studio:
- Victoria 4, that is offering high polycount and a large selection of morphs to apply to your 3D figure.
- Genesis, that will allow you to work on body morphs.
- Genesis 2 & 3, perfect to work on movements and articulation.
- Genesis 8, that will allow you to create realistic renderings and work on the expressions of your characters.
You can easily export your creation to the 3D modeling software Maya, in order to create more detailed figures. Also, it is possible to create 3D models optimized for 3D printing.
https://www.daz3d.com/get_studio
iClone
iClone is a 3D software specially made for animation work and developed by Reallusion. It is used by animators, filmmakers, for animation, cinema and even video games. It is a design software for professionals. iClone allows doing freeform body morphing, to work on facial animation and body motion. This software offers a wide range of creation tools: among them, you can find Character Creator, a perfect solution to make fully-rigged figures for animation projects. It will allow you to generate unlimited human faces and bodies, that you can modify as much as you want. You can also work on the way your character moves.
Reallusion made a lot of video tutorial which are available to learn how to use the number of parameters offered by this software. You can see an example of what it is possible to do with 3D Character Creator in the video below:
Mixamo
Mixamo is a very simple software to use. It is a good program if your a just beginning with 3D character design. It requires no previous experience in 3D animation and you can create animated figures in no time. This is not a professional tool, you will not be able to make very detailed 3D characters and good renderings with this program. But it is still very useful if you don’t want to use a complex software.
Autodesk Character Generator
Autodesk developed a web-based software for character design. It is a web-based program, allowing you to get rigged models, especially for animation and video games. 3D characters can be totally created, customized and downloaded with Character Generator. It is easy to use, you don’t have to be an experienced user to make the most of this software, but it can also be used for a professional purpose as the quality of the 3D models can be really good. You will be able to create a 3D figure quite quickly with this 3D software.
Other modeling software that can be used for chara design
Some traditional modeling software is allowing to create impressive 3D characters. Indeed, the accuracy of these software tools and their efficiency are perfect to work on 3D character designs.
Maya
Maya is a 3D modeling software developed by Autodesk. This is an efficient tool, that will help artists in their daily work. This software is not dedicated to 3D character design, but it is known to be used to work on animation for movies and video games. Indeed, the renderings and environments that you can make with this software are quite impressive. Maya has a great toolset that will allow you to create figure drawings and models. It is possible to work on the clothes movements and the hair, in order to make your 3D character as realistic as possible.
Here’s an example of character modeling with Maya:
Check this blogpost to learn how to export a Maya format file in an .obj file format. It could be useful for you, especially if you are planning to 3D print your 3D model.
ZBrush
ZBrush is a software developed by Pixologic. It is an amazing and efficient program to work on modeling, painting and texturing. It is addressed to professional designers and experienced users, as it has a lot of advanced software tools. ZBrush will allow you to work on character designs, and much more. You will be able to make digital illustrations and digital painting.
Pixologic recently published an interesting podcast with Léandre Lagrange, a concept artist working on the visual effects of movies such as Alien: Covenant, or Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. In this podcast, Léandre Lagrange talks about the work process on a movie when it comes to creature designs and textures, and more specifically, he talks about his work with ZBrush:
At Sculpteo, we recently made a partnership with ZBrush. A new option is allowing users to export directly their file to our online 3D printing service. More information here!
Blender
Blender is a free and open source 3D software. This program is used for game creation, so you can totally create 3D figures with it. This 3D software is powerful and will allow you to create nice 3D character designs. You can use it to make realistic characters for animations or game projects. A lot of tutorials are available on their website if you need a little help to get started with this 3D design software. You will surely find good beginner guides in order to work on your character’s anatomy and expressions for example.
If you are interested in this software, we have a tutorial to help you to use Blender for 3D printing.
Source:https://cgcookie.com/course/modeling-realistic-characters-with-blender
3ds Max
3ds Max is a software developed by Autodesk, mainly used by professionals to create worlds and environments in video games. It is a really powerful 3D tool for graphic design visualization and renderings. This software has advanced features allowing you to make impressive 3D designs from scratch for your characters.
See how to create a rigging character in 3ds Max in the following video:
You can also check our tutorial to create a 3D model with 3DS Max.
As you can see, there are a lot of different programs to work on 3D character designs, and you don’t have to necessarily use a modeling software dedicated to the creation of 3D characters. There are a lot of 3D modeling software tools on the market, but we hope that this top of the best software for 3D character design jobs will help you to choose the program that will fit your needs and projects.
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Credit for the main picture: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/NGwX1
Use these free 3D modeling software solutions to quickly turn your design ideas into realistic 3D construction models.
Construction professionals are constantly coming up with new ideas for innovative designs, and it’s helpful to have software that can quickly turn these ideas into three-dimensional (3D) representations.
3D modeling software allows construction professionals to transform their designs and blueprints into lifelike models and lets artists clearly visualize the dimensions of their building designs before construction is complete.
There are several 3D modeling software tools available on the market, each with varying capabilities. And if you thought that buying one will cost you a lot of money, think again!
We’ve analyzed over 100 free design software options in Capterra directories and evaluated user reviews to identify the five best free 3D modeling software solutions (listed alphabetically). You can read our complete product selection methodology here.
5 best free 3D modeling construction software
BIMx
Live Home 3D
Onshape
SketchUp
SkyCiv Structural 3D
Note: Some of these software tools are listed as computer-aided design (CAD), but we chose them because they also offer 3D modeling options for intricate and precise designs and are a good option for users who simply want to do basic 3D design without any animation or texture painting.
1. BIMx
BIMx is a project presentation and collaboration software with integrated 2D and 3D navigation for building projects. Its cloud-integrated workflows and intuitive user interface make project management easier for architects and designers working on building information models and architectural documentation.
Professional 3d Modeling Software
3D models in BIMx (Source)
BIMx helps users design interactive 3D models of buildings. Builders, clients, and consultants can use these 3D models to give prospects virtual tours of projects before construction is completed.
We analyzed user reviews for BIMx to understand what buyers liked and areas they felt could be improved. Here’s what we found.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
The software UI is intuitive. | A steep learning curve to master key commands. |
Virtual tours allow customers to view every dimension of a property even before construction is complete. | The desktop version is less functional than the mobile version. |
How much does BIMx cost? | |
BIMx offers a basic free version with limited features, but users can upgrade to the paid version for additional features. |
2. Live Home 3D
Live Home 3D is an interior and home design software that allows users to create 3D environments that give the actual look and feel of building interiors. It’s mostly used by solo architects and small teams of startup designers working on home interiors.
3D view in Live Home 3D ( Source)
Live Home 3D automatically suggests and generates 3D views of floor plans. Users can either design their own floor plan or import an external image to extract a design and recreate it. In both cases, the software offers users the option of converting their design into a 3D plan.
We analyzed user reviews for Live Home 3D to understand what buyers liked and areas they felt could be improved. Here’s what we found.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
The software’s UI is easy to use. | Not many terrain options are available. Even demo projects have the same standard terrain. |
Users can choose a wide range of colors and furniture for their models. | The UI could be aesthetically improved, and the walkthrough mode is difficult to control. |
How much does Live Home 3D cost? | |
Live Home 3D offers a free version with limited features, but users can upgrade to its paid version, Live Home 3D Pro, for a one-time payment of $19.99. |
3. Onshape
Onshape is cloud-based 3D CAD software that offers top-down designs with multipart modeling and in-context editing. It’s useful for designers, engineers, and manufacturers who want the flexibility of working from anywhere on any device.
3D section view in Onshape (Source)
As a SaaS-based tool, Onshape uses online databases to store data, eliminating the need for any physical servers and other IT infrastructure costs.
We analyzed user reviews for Onshape to understand what buyers liked and areas they felt could be improved. Here’s what we found.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
A fast learning curve. Anyone with basic CAD knowledge can operate the software with ease. | Since Onshape is cloud-based, it lacks offline caching. Therefore, models have to be constantly reloaded during poor connectivity. |
Users have access to detailed instructional videos to understand primary features. | Since the software operates via browsers, designing large models can be difficult. |
How much does Onshape cost? | |
Onshape’s free version has limited features, but users can upgrade to its paid version, which costs $125 per user per month and is billed annually ($1,500). |
4. SketchUp
SketchUp is CAD software that allows users to design and edit 3D models of interiors, landscapes, and more. It assists in end-to-end designing, starting from the earliest design stage to the end of construction. It can be used by architects and interior designers for different designing steps, such as initial diagramming, design development, detailing, documentation, and requests for information (RFI).
Audacity audio editing software mac. 3D construction model in SketchUp (Source)
SketchUp allows users to include lighting effects, texture paintings, and animations in their design models. It also offers a wide range of symbols and predesigned models that allow designers to achieve desired outputs.
We analyzed user reviews for SketchUp to understand what buyers liked and areas they felt could be improved. Here’s what we found.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
The software modules are easy to navigate, even for beginners. | SketchUp cannot be integrated with other design software. |
Besides drawing and sketching options, the software also offers built-in features such as animations, lighting, and texture effects. | Customer support isn’t responsive, and most queries are answered only via online message boards. |
How much does SketchUpcost? | |
The basic version (web only) of SketchUp is free, but users can upgrade to the paid version, SketchUp Shop (web only), for $119 per user, per year or the pro version, SketchUp Pro (both desktop and web), at $299 per user, per year. |
5. SkyCiv Structural 3D
SkyCiv Structural 3D is cloud-based structural analysis and design software that allows users to model, analyze, and design 3D structures. Due to its structural analysis capabilities, the software is well-suited for civil, mechanical, and structural engineers.
3D structural analysis in SkyCiv Structural 3D (Source)
SkyCiv Structural 3D allows users to analyze structural factors, such as bending, shear, stress, and deflection. Since the software is cloud-based, it requires no installation and works completely online.
We analyzed user reviews for SkyCiv Structural 3D to understand what buyers liked and areas they felt could be improved. Here’s what we found.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
A fast learning curve. | Only a limited number of structural analysis methods are available. |
The customer support team is quick to respond. | The software’s mobile app interface for iPhones isn’t intuitive. |
How much does PRODUCT cost? | |
SkyCiv Structural 3D offers a free version with limited features, but users can upgrade to the paid (basic) version at $69 per user, per month or the professional version at $109 per user, per month. |
The final decision: Which free 3D modeling construction software to buy?
Our list of the five best free 3D modeling solutions can get you started with your software search, but the right fit depends on your design needs.
We recommend the following approach to make your ultimate decision:
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If you’ve used or are currently using free 3D modeling construction software that works well for you, tell us about it in the comments section below.
Product selection methodology
To be considered for this list, products had to offer a free, stand-alone version of the software and not a trial version wherein users have to purchase the product after the trial period.
A product was classified as 3D modeling construction software if it contained the core 3D modeling and collaboration features and at least one design feature, such as design analysis, design templates, or design export.
Software For 3d Modeling
We analyzed nearly 150 products from our engineering CAD software, architecture software, and BIM software market categories to identify these free products. To be selected, each product had to have a minimum user rating of 4 out of 5 on Capterra as of January 6, 2020.
3d Figure Modeling Software
Note: Listed pros and cons are derived from features listed on the product website and product user reviews on Gartner Digital Markets domains (Capterra, GetApp, and Software Advice). They do not represent the views of, nor constitute an endorsement by, Capterra or its affiliates.
Looking for Construction Management software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Construction Management software solutions.