With the variable plethora of different applications, scripts, tools, plugins, platforms, engines, and packages available on the market today, how is an aspiring 3D artist (or a seasoned professional for that matter) to know which package he or she ought to be using? In this article I have attempted to do some of the heavy lifting for you, and narrowed this list down to what is, in my opinion, the top 15 applications out there for 3D artists right now. Enjoy!
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3ds Max
One of most widely used 3D applications by professionals, and students alike, is "Autodesk 3ds Max". Autodesk actually has a ton of programs for 3D modeling, animation, and special effects, but 3ds Max is optimal for someone who is learning 3D, and wants to take it into a profession. The latest release of the software platform is the 2010 version, which has over 350 new features, (including a render-quality viewport display, and the new "Graphite Modeling Tools"). Visit the official Autodesk website for more:www.usa.autodesk.com.
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Maya
"Autodesk Maya" is an award winning application that is used in all kinds post production studios across the world, and is easily one of the most professional, and versatile 3D platforms available. Maya uses the Maya Embedded Language (MEL) and Python scripting, has amazing character animation and modeling tools, and gives you the ability to create breathtaking visual effects for film and television. There is quite a steep learning curve with Maya, but once you can get used to everything, and get acquainted with all the twists and turns, it is well worth the time and effort. Maya 200 is available for trial download from the official Autodesk website:www.usa.autodesk.com.
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Softimage
"Autodesk Softimage" (formerly Avid Softimage XSI) is a node-based visual effects platform, that is used for everything from games to movies, and even in television post production. The Interactive Creative Environment (ICE), which is the node based part of Softimage, gives the user a vast array of options for animating and customizing animations. The latest version (Softimage 7.5) is available for trial download at the official website, which incidentally, has a bunch of training videos to get you more acquainted with the software before you have to buy it. Check it out here: www.softimage.com.
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Zbrush
"Pixologic Zbrush", in my opinion, is one of the best character modeling and sculpting tools available. With the ability to sculpt up to a billion polygons, the amount of precision and detail you can achieve is second to none. Whether you are creating concept art, or full characters for games and movies, Zbrush has vast exportation options that will allow you to bring your sculptures into your preferred animation platform, and make them come to life with ease. You can download a trial copy of Zbrush 3.1 from their official website at: www.pixologic.com.
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Modo
"Luxology Modo" has won some awards for its usability, but is lower end on the 3D side of things. Although it is quite easy to use, and offers a ton of high quality options (such as sculpting, rendering, and animation), it just doesn't quite stack up to programs like Maya and 3ds Max. It is, however, much lighter on the wallet (at less than $1000), and generally a lot easier to learn too. You can grab a trial version of Luxology Modo 302 from the official website at: www.luxology.com.
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Blender
One of the best things about "Blender" is the fact that it is completely and utterly 100% free (yeah you heard right...I said FREE). Besides the fact that it is free, another great thing about it is the sheer amount of high quality modeling and animation tools that it provides. With features like Python scripting, bullet physics, dynamics support, advanced rigging, and animation, and even exportation to popular renderers, the quality of what you can create is only limited by your own knowledge (or lack thereof) of this exceptionally deep program. Available on all versions of Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, FreeBSD, Irix and Sun Solaris, Blender is an excellent tool for students (tight on cash), and professionals alike. You can download your free copy of "Blender" at the official website:www.blender.org.
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Cinema 4D
"Maxon Cinema 4D", now in it's 11th release, is one of the most user friendly 3D applications available. You can choose from an array of different editions and bundles (depending on what 3D environment you are working in). Whether it be post production, architectural visualization, or even engineering, the different bundles have different modules to fit your every need. Cinema 4D has different modules (such as Sketch & Toon, Thinking Particles, Hair, and Mograph) that allow you to utilize different tools for what your project entails. Whether it be explosions, cartoons, animation, or even motion graphics openings, Cinema 4D has got a module for you. You can get a trial version of "Cinema 4D R11" from the official website at:www.maxon.net.
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Lightwave
"NewTek Lightwave" is another high-end 3D platform that has a steep learning curve, but is used quite widely in the post production world. It is a complete modeling, animation, and rendering package, that provides full functionality right out of the box. Actually, more artists have won Emmys using Lightwave, than with any other 3D package on the market. It might not be one of the most prominent applications to find tutorials for, or even to get plugins to help you out, but it could be one of the best tools you ever use. You can get a trial copy of NewTek Lightwave 9.6 at the NewTek website here:www.newtek.com.
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Houdini
"SideFX Houdini" is another great node-based application, that is quickly becoming more widely used in post production and visual effects. The one down side so far, is that Houdini Escape (the budget version) is a little under $2000, but Houdini Master ( which includes everything that Escape has, but also Particles and Dynamics) is almost $8000. Without Particles and Dynamics, Houdini is just like any other 3D application, with all of the modeling, animation, and render capabilities. To really unleash the power of Houdini, you really do need to have the full-fledged version. SideFX does, however, also offer Houdini Apprentice HD (a student version) where you can render your work, watermark free and ready to stick in your demo reel, for only $99.00. Grab the demo of Houdini 10 at the SideFX website:www.sidefx.com.
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Massive
For those of you who have never heard of "Massive", it was developed when "Lord of the Rings" was made. It is a crowd generator and simulation application, that is capable of creating unique "agents" that move, look around, walk, and talk with each other, using built in artificial intelligence. Your "agents" can be anything from traffic on the street, to trees, to huge armies of soldiers that are battling each other...the possibilities are really endless. Massive is a pretty costly product, but if it is really something you are looking to learn, FXphd.com has a class where you can use a student VPN version to learn the software:www.massivesoftware.com.
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Vue
"Vue", by E-on Software, is a great program for creating landscapes and scenery. It works as a standalone program, as well as an integrated solution to work inside of Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema 4d, Lightwave, and Softimage. On top of creating forests, deserts, oceans, and anything else on the ground, there is an optional plugin, called Ozone, which lets you create atmospheres such as snowstorms, white puffy clouds, or even clear blue skies with glaring red suns. This program is great for those times when you just can't rent a helicopter and fly over the Amazon rainforest for pickup shots. You can grab a Personal Learning Edition (PLE) over at the official E-on Software website:www.e-onsoftware.com.
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Poser
"Poser 7" and "Poser Pro", by "SmithMicro, are a cheap alternative to creating and animating characters in 3D. You can create your own characters, choose from thousands of pre-made characters (at ContentParadise.com), or you can even customize pre-made templates. You can also export directly to 3ds Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, or Lightwave. Poser 7 and Poser Pro will cost you $249 and $499 respectively, but you can snag the 30 day trial copy at the official website here:my.smithmicro.com.
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Daz3D
"Daz3D" are the makers of Bryce, Carrara, and Daz Studio (some of the low end 3D modeling applications that can get the job done, but don't give you the high level of detail and control that the higher end applications do). Bryce is a landscape and terrain editor, Carrara is a modeling application, and Daz Studio is a character building software. All three together give you a nice little studio for making some cool things, at a price that is very easy on your pocketbook. Check out the Daz3d website for more: www.daz3d.com.
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Mudbox
Another digital sculpting application (similar to Zbrush), is Autodesk "Mudbox". Designed specifically for character sculpting, modeling, and texturing, it is a great application to integrate into your workflow with Maya or 3ds Max (considering that they are all Autodesk applications). You can try out the trial version at the Autodesk Mudbox official site:usa.autodesk.com.
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RealFlow
Next Limit "RealFlow" is a particle-based fluid and dynamics simulator, and is quite possibly one of the best tools for the job on the market to date. Able to operate as a standalone application, as well as a plugin for Maya, 3ds Max, Softimage, Cinema 4D and Houdini, you can create beautiful fluid animations, and even other particle simulations (such as tornadoes, hair, or poker chips falling onto a table...to name a few). All of the particles that are created will work with (and against) each other, using real world physics parameters that you can modify in any way that you see fit. You can grab the trial of RealFlow4 at the official website here:realflow.com.
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User Comments
( ADD YOURS )KMFIX July 7th
If you are interested in working as a professional 3D artist/designer/animator/etc… Look at job postings in the area that you want to work in, and see what software the companies that do the work that you’re most interested in doing use.
That will help narrow the field. No sense in wasting time learning the wrong software…
AE should be on this list too…
( )Nysuatro July 7th
Where is Silo
( )Simona July 22nd
I know hardly anyone talks about it, but it should be mentioned, Strata 3D CX 6.0, http://www.strata.com/
( )sh. July 7th
Hey!
How about a tutorial that shows how to use Cinema 4D in combination with an external renderer like Indigo/Cindigo?
Something I always wanted to know!
( )Akoinoglou Vasilis July 7th
Excellent list!
( )Han Solo July 7th
Maybe Silo got dropped because it’s only modeller ?!
( )Aaron July 8th
Silo is not really what I would consider in the top 15. I mean, it’s a nice app and everything, it just isn’t on par with any of the apps mentioned above.
( )lawrence77 July 7th
Topher Welsh you rock at cgtuts+ too………
Keep up ur work and give some super stuffs like this…
Cute list, some of them are unknown….
( )Neo101 July 7th
Very cool list! (and quite comprehensive too!)
It’s funny how even photoshop should fit into this, but I can understand that it’s not seen as a 3D application, because it isn’t a 3D application…
meh.
Great list anyhoo!
( )blender_user July 7th
i wonder where you got the “Blender” logo.. correct please:
( )http://www.blender.org/blenderorg/blender-foundation/logo/
Kaleb Aylsworth July 8th
Fixed it:) I couldn’t use the full one as it would be way too long to fix the square aspect ration of all of our thumbnails…but this one uses the official guidelines from the site anyways.
( )Paul July 7th
I’m just surprised you could get 15 apps for the list.
Blender is my favorite as its free and very flexible. Its best feature is its animation and game engines.
( )Craigsnedeker July 7th
Blender FTW! Yay!
( )Lucas July 7th
Why don’t you use the official Blender logo? Take a look: http://www.blender.org/blenderorg/blender-foundation/logo/
( )kevweb July 7th
The latest version of modo, 401 was just released by Luxology a few weeks ago. I’m not sure calling it ‘lower end’ is accurate after looking at their gallery.
( )Cesar July 7th
I heard about a software called Miria, is it a 3D modelling application?
( )Martin July 7th
Good post! Didn´t know about Vue and Daz3D
Thanks!
( )frredd July 7th
nice list
( )wheres terragen?
Petrus July 7th
I partially disagree with your assessment regarding Lightwave. This package has a gigantic user base and a huge number of free tutorials easily found online. Lightwave is king in advertising, print, TV and the most studios use it in combination with other packages.
( )YJoe July 9th
I have to agree, I am working for a multi-million pound production company and we use lightwave.
We have produced a few dvds as well.
( )Andy July 7th
You forgot to mention that Modo totally kicks everything elses but with modeling.
( )J Ritz July 7th
Lightwave 9.6 ROCKS !!!
( )The FiberFX is awesome. Newtek has great training for Lightwave on there website: http://www.newtek.com/lightwave/training.php
max-bear July 7th
Don’t forget Cheetah3D!! It is an excellent Modelling/Animation/Rendering app for Mac users on a budget!
( )Peewee1002 July 7th
I was half way through writing an article just like this…darn
Though you there are a few you missed.
( )Redbeer July 7th
It’s unfortunate that this is nearly a completely useless article. You basically mention most but not all of the 3D applications available, a lot of your information is misleading if not incorrect, and what you mention is “at best” an advertisement for various 3D applications, with 3 of the 4 most expensive on the market listed most prominently as one, two, and three, with ZERO negative comments, all owned by the same company, Autodesk, all of which are pretty much redundancies of each other in terms of features with a few exceptions.
Some incorrect of your incorrect and probably unnecessary comments rebutted:
Lightwave has one of the largest selections of free and purchased plugins on the market, and they’re easy to find:
http://www.flay.com
http://www.lwplugindb.com
With regards to training for lightwave, there are numerous sites that come up in the google top 10 for lightwave training both free and at cost. About the only thing you can say about a lack of Lightwave training is it’s not heavily supported at the “Autodesk or nothing” sites, like gnomon.
Daz3D, Carrara, and Bryce are all made by the same company, but if you have Carrara, you don’t need the other two in reality, unless you need poser figures, and even then Carrara opens “most” content from poser natively. Carrara is a FULL 3D application, not just a modeler. The only feature it doesn’t have right now is cloth simulation, although there is a somewhat usable free user made plugin at the moment for that. Yes it does do terrains, rendering Bryce (which does more than terrains too), mostly obsolete.
How is 3dsMax optimal for someone learning 3d?
I’d say Blender or any of the less expensive apps, even some you didn’t mention like Carrara, would be far better for a beginner, given the price, and the fact that the “theory of 3D” is pretty much the same in all apps. It’s stupid articles like this that lead new users to believe they need to invest thousands of dollars in a single application, or buy some license gimped educational version to “learn 3D”, when all they’re really learning is “software X, Y, or Z” at a premium cost.
Might I suggest if you are a “professional VFX artist” you just list what software you use and why? Just list “your pipeline” and give detail as to why you use it and how. Of course I”m being silly because all these articles ever are is just more fodder for google search listings and thus a waste of everyone’s time.
Hopefully someone will actually start either writing objective and intelligent posts that aren’t derivative of the same information available on hundreds of other sites, or a completely biased but personal and informative opinion about what they use and why someday.
( )fred July 10th
I’ll have to disagree with this.
The point of the article seems to be the “top 15″ applications an “aspiring 3D artist” should focus on.
I think the choices are all correct, except perhaps for Daz3D. All the other choices will get you a job; it’s a time investement well made. It’s really about the best choices for hobbyist on a budget.
About Autodesk, investing in Max, Maya, XSI is a good long term investement. Investing in Lightwave is not so clear.
( )hotmac July 14th
@ Redbeer Thanks for your reply to this article. You’re totally right. I can’t stand those “Top-10-25-best-50-great”-articles, too, because the given information is uncritical, very subjectively biased and by now one can find hundreds of thousands of identical sites and articles because everyone seems to think, that it is the best way to get top rankings and advertising revenue with this strategy. I would like to see more COMPLETE (or nearly complete) lists with a lot more of information, pros and cons …
( )Kextype July 7th
On modo
“it just doesn’t quite stack up to programs like “Maya” and “3ds Max”.”
Thats a bit of a miss leading comment im not sure if youve used the software before but i think you may of looked at the feature list briefly and then the price; then came to the conclusion it must be worse then max or maya. Modo has a more modern user interface in comparsion to max and maya, its very module alot like nuke.
Allso you have a lightwave logo inside the blender logo if you look carefully. If your looking for a free modeler Wings3d is great application to get started in, its very simple interface in comparsion to blender is a great free introduction to 3d modeling.
( )Nassos July 7th
“Without “Particles and Dynamics”, “Houdini” is just like any other 3D application ” ????? WTF dude!
Have you ever used Houdini ?
Please do so, before judging it.
And you forgot SILO.
( )It is worth a mention for its simplicity and efficiency alone.
rob chinn July 7th
Luxology recently started shipping modo 401, which includes improvements across the board. You ought to check it out. They’ve implemented kinematics and added in “presets” for materials, meshes, environments, etc. Sounds trivial, but check the demo videos, it is really powerful and makes the modo material system much easier for beginners.
( )J Ritz July 7th
Great Info. Does Lightwave work with Zbrush.
( )Satya Meka July 7th
For those of you who are interested in procedural animations try Houdini or XSI.
( )4q July 7th
Hi, I’m a graphic designer woo does most print job and a litle motion graphics, I have tried Maya and 3d studio Max and find them too complicated and overpowered for mi needs. When i discovered Cinema 4d i found my perfect tool, its a lot more easy and intuitive, (and can be powerfull if you want) please more tutorials in that tool.
( )lokimonster July 7th
Why you chosen some weird Blender logo
and why it haves light wave logo in it?
( )Goshi July 8th
You forgot Nuke !! :p
( )nice little list tho
Carlos camacho July 8th
Strata3D is the bread and butter of many many 3d artists. It’s roots go back to making the graphics for Myst, a game that didn’t do so bad. The company had bounced around between different owners but is now back in the hands of the founders. They have been working on intergrating their products with Adobe’s Photoshop. So a great choice for 2d artists. It has a great rendering engine… though animation has never been its strong point. This list is also missing Cheetah3D, a great low-cost 3D app. Silo should also be in this list. Actually, the list should just contain apps under $1,000.
( )fred July 10th
the issue is, that these old mac applications are not in the ‘top 15′ apps aspiring artists should focus on?
btw, Starta was used for Myst… in 1992. The artists switched to Softimage|3D for its sequel, Riven. but this is all very old history and not at all relevant. What’s is relevant is that 80% of the cg market is using Max or Maya
( )Simona July 22nd
I agree Carlos. I have been using Strata for some time know (at work) and I think it has a great rendering engine. I have followed the features that were added to the new version, Strata 3D Cx 6, and it looks great, although I haven’t tried it out.
( )skylab July 8th
The bottom line here is that are tons of amazing 3D apps out on the market. The best 3D app is you. I’ve seen some work done on the most limited apps that cannot even compare to individuals who work on the most diverse 3d apps.
Choose your 3d package which you like the most and master it.
( )crow July 8th
Maya and XSI or old Giants
( )chen July 8th
Just want to add 3D-Coat (http://3d-coat.com) to the list
( )Eddie July 9th
Hey, how come Truespace isn’t there? It was the first 3D software I learned how to use and It inspired me to take up 3D.
Truespace 3.2 is free and anyone who is a member of the site got an email to download Truespace 7 for free as well!
( )fred July 10th
truespace is not only nowhere near a “top 15″ application, it also has been discontinued last may. It’s dead!
( )Irving July 9th
Just to add, RealFlow is an Academy award winning software for their usage in movies like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and various others.
I think its one of the best programs (although highly complicated) that have the capability of simulating fluids (something that is highly difficult to capture in other 3D programs without making it look fake).
( )anas3laa July 13th
Incredible Description ,
( )Thank You .
MMF July 13th
Nice Collection
( )SaMma July 14th
Possibly the most pointless post.
And really, Vue? The website sure sells it, but have you ever used it in a production environment? Crashity crash crash.
( )radu July 15th
Where is Google Sketchup????
( )WallStreet July 17th
In fact, I think places 3 and 4 are switched, ‘couse ZB is used for a lot of artist that uses software like Maya/Max/XSI/ C4D … as part of their Workflow. while softimage is only used for a group of specialized users.
( )I think that group is smaller every since Softimage was acquired by Autodesk. some of the users felt that it wasn’t a good move.
The fact is that the ZB user Base is always Growing while Softimage XSI is not..
WallStreet July 17th
Vue, Poser, DAZ 3D ?.. Hey Mudbox is more popular than those apps.. :O
( )WallStreet July 17th
Hey Redbeer,
( )I’ll relate to KMFIX said…
“Look at job postings in the area that you want to work in, and see what software the companies that do the work that you’re most interested in doing use.”
at the end most of the people learn a software to get a job in this field. and mostly LW is never there. I mean LW Sucks….!
Carrara is Ok for leaning… and later what .. start learning again another software ‘couse what you’re using is not what companies are using…
ibrahim1x August 9th
you guy’s have a lot of experince in the cg subject
for me i want to know what is better to invest my time with and easier to use from the first 3
the company i work for uses 3d max and soft image
witch one is better to invest my time in ??
( )theBob August 30th
Modo is low end? I find that statement ironic. In your previous post showing 50 breathtaking CG images, two of the top images (depicting Alien vs. Predator) were created using modo for modeling, UVing, and rendering.
CG Society just posted a story of how modo was used to create District 9 “…relied quite heavily on modo’s advanced UV mapping tools, 3D painting and texturing capabilities. Some of their work involved models already created by WETA Digital, while other tasks involved ground-up modeling.”
I’ve only been using 3D software for three years now, glad I wasn’t able to read this post before I made my purchasing decision.
( )Brulliant September 22nd
Hey you forgot MotionBuilder from autodesk. This is a great peace of softtware in terms of motion capturing!!
( )Josh Johnson September 30th
Just wondering how much you’ve actually used Modo… You gave pretty much everyone a thumbs up but Luxology with no explanation other than the fact that it’s cheaper. You seem to love Blender and it’s free. Why discuss the limitless possibilities of a free application but bash Modo because it’s cheap?
( )