Free 3D Modeling Software For Beginners

Best Paid and Free 3D Modeling Software For Beginners in 2023

3D modeling is an important part of any 3D animation or gaming project. It allows the artist to create realistic models that can be used in the production process. With so many different 3D modeling software available, knowing which is best for a beginner can be difficult. To help make the decision easier, here is the top 3D modeling software for beginners. 

10 Best 3D Modeling Software

1. SelfCAD: Overall Best 3D modeling software of 2023.
2. Onshape: One of the best product design software.
3. TinkerCAD: Free online 3D modeling software.
4. BlocksCAD: Block-based online 3D modeling software
5. Blender: Free and powerful 3D modeling and animation software.
6. 3D Slash: Easy-to-use online 3D modeling software.
7. Fusion 360: CAD, CAM, and circuit board design software.
8. SketchUp: Best architectural design and documentation software.
9. FreeCAD: Best free parametric CAD software. 
10. OpenSCAD: Best script-based 3D modeling software.

1. SelfCAD (Overall Best 3D Modeling Software for Beginners in 2023)

SelfCAD is an affordable 3D modeling software that matches any skill level. Whether you're a business person, freelancer, or student who wants to create 3D models, you can use this software.

 

Key Features of SelfCAD

SelfCAD allows you to create 3D models and prepare them for 3D printing, animation, or even 3D rendering in less time than when you’re using traditional CAD software. It is ideal for beginner 3D designers because its interface is very simple, and you can learn how each tool works easily. The tools are arranged in clusters based on their use, making it easier to locate them. SelfCAD has some interesting key 3D modeling features, like a set of primitive 3D shape generators that you can use as a basis for creating your designs. 

The software also has powerful 3D sculpting tools that you can use to create organic shapes. Compared to other 3D sculpting software, the brushes of SelfCAD are far much easier to use, and anyone, regardless of their experience, can get started much more easily. There is also another interesting tool, like the image to 3D, that you can use to convert image to 3D model with just a few clicks.

With this program, you can work directly on the meshes. For example, you can modify static meshes with ease, and you can also edit STL files and prepare them for 3D printing in the software without having to switch to another different program.

Free Versions: Forever (with limited features).

SelfCAD Pro Monthly: $14.99.

SelfCAD Pro Yearly: $139.99.

SelfCAD Perpetual License: $599.00 (Lifetime access)

2. Cedreo

Cedreo is a 3D modeling software for beginners used for 3D home design and architectural visualization, mostly used for kitchen designs. It primarily targets those in the construction and real estate industries, such as architects, home builders, and interior designers.

The software provides a user-friendly interface that allows you to create and visualize 3D building models and floor plans. You can design and customize various aspects of a building, such as the layout, interior design, materials, and landscaping. The platform offers a wide range of pre-built 3D objects and materials to choose from, making it easier for users to create realistic representations of buildings and spaces.

Key features of Cedreo include:

• Floor Plan Customization: Designing and modifying the layout and structure of floor plans.
• Interior Design: Adding and customizing interior elements such as furniture, decorations, and fixtures.
• Materials and finishes: Choosing different building materials and finishes for walls, floors, and exteriors.
• Real-time visualization: Generating realistic 3D renderings and virtual tours to visualize the designs.

2. Onshape

Onshape is another powerful tool that is mostly used for product design. It combines CAD tools, PDM, collaboration, and analytics tools in the cloud.

Key Features of Onshape

This program has a lot of features, especially the subdivision surface modeling tools. You can do a lot of work using just this software. You can do polygonal modeling, digital sculpting, create 3D CAD designs, manage the data of your team and conduct procedural workflow, and can also get analytics and reports of your work.

The best feature of Onshape is its speed. You can instantly deploy it on any computer or mobile device, enabling the team to work together globally and rapidly. Because of its data management system, the team can independently experiment on each other's designs without affecting work.

Also, it doesn't require downloads, installation, or license codes. You can access Onshape's platform with any modern web browser.

If you're a business owner or handling an organization, then you must have an IT team working under you to handle software issues and incompatible file types. But if you're using Onshape, then this problem will not occur and your team can focus more on designing and spend less time dealing with these issues.

These are some features of Onshape. Now let's take a look at the pricing of Onshape software because pricing is also an important factor while choosing a 3D CAD software.

The pricing is:

Standard: $1,500 per user per year.

Professional: $2,100 per user per year.

Enterprise: Contact team (Full and light user provisioning available).

3. TinkerCAD

TinkerCAD is a free 3d modeling software for beginners that is easy to use. It's useful in creating 3D designs, electronics, and coding that is mostly used in creating and modifying basic shapes. It's used by teachers, kids, hobbyists, and designers to imagine, design, and make just about anything.

Key Features of TinkerCAD

This program is best for students who want to pursue a career in 3D designing and also for those who have an interest in creating simple 3D models.

Tinkercad program provides some of the best lesson plans through which kids can learn a lot of things such as art, design, language arts, robotics, science, technology, etc. They have provided online tutorials for children of different age groups.

Teachers can also use this tool to teach students in engaging ways because Tinkercad is a new way to teach core skills and abilities in the most fun and engaging ways.

3D modeling in TinkerCAD. Image source: Tinkercad.com

Basically, TinkerCAD is an ideal tool for students and teachers as well as new users in 3D designing. So if you're a student and you don't have money to purchase the premium software, then you can start your 3D designing journey using Tinkercad.

Pricing: Tinkercad is free to use, you don't have to spend a penny for using this tool.

4. BlocksCAD

BlocksCAD is a free 3d modeling software mostly used by students and teachers and other beginners. Students use it to learn 3D designing and other computer science courses, while teachers use it to teach students.

Key Features of BlocksCAD

The interface of this software is so easy to use that even young students who are still small in age can use it easily. Because of its user-friendly interface, students and teachers have to spend less time getting started and more time on important tasks.

Basically, BlocksCAD is an education technology company dedicated to creating tools that help students of all age brackets pursue their love of science, technology, engineering, and art.

So, if you're a student or a teacher, then this software is the best for you. It especially suits students because they can use it with minimum effort and it helps them in learning new skills.

Pricing: BlocksCAD is free to use.

5. Blender

Model being designed in Blender. Image source: Macupdate

Blender is a popular free 3Dmodeling software for beginners and professional. If you're searching for the best 3D modeling software then you must have heard this name before. Most new users start their journey of creating 3D models by using this tool because it is free to use and the best part of this software is, you can get a lot of tutorials on YouTube and Udemy.

Key Features of Blender

Blender supports many types of CAD features such as modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, composting and motion tracking, video editing, and 2D animation.

It's difficult to find so many features in a single tool, but Blender is providing all these features to you, and the best part is this software is free to use. Blender also supports 3D printing. But to slice your models and get the g code you have to use an external 3d slicer like that of SelfCAD.

3D modeling in Blender. Image source: Free3d

There are many free CAD software available on the internet but free software doesn’t provide a variety of features. Blender is totally different because you get a lot of features in this program. If you are looking for free 3D modeling and product animation software that doesn't have a steep learning curve, Blender is the go-to software.

Blender runs on all operating systems. You can download it on your PC, or MacBook and begin creating your 3D models.

Pricing: Blender is free to use.

6. 3D Slash

3D Slash is an easy-to-use software for preparing 3D models. The unique part of this software is its interface. The interface of this software makes it look like you’re creating a game. You get to create a design in a fun way.

Key Features of 3D Slash

There is a unique feature called team features that is available to students and teachers. With the help of this feature, teachers can create student accounts on the teacher dashboard and no email address is required for students.

Teachers can view the real-time files created by students, and they can share that file with other students and teachers.

Some of the unique features of 3D Slash are:

• The model with high precision
• Project pictures or text on your model and use them as a decal!
• Insert rounded shapes, .stl, or .obj files into your model
• intuitive to pick up, no training required
• Team feature designed for school
• Quick to navigate
• Very light files even run on Raspberry Pi

If you are looking for the same software as SelfCAD with intuitive interface that has a free version and can be used by both advanced users and beginners, you should consider this software.

3D designing in 3Dslash. Image source: Techcrunch.com

Pricing is as follows:

Premium: $2 per month.

Schools: $12 per month.

Professionals: $20 per month.

7. Fusion 360

Model created in Adobe Fusion 360. Image source: platform.europeanmoocs.eu

Fusion 360 is a cloud-based CAD/CAM tool for collaborative product development. People that can use this software include Machinist, Mechanical Engineer, Industrial Designer, Collaborator, Electronics Engineer, etc. It's almost similar to SelfCAD but the difference is that Fusion 360 has a steep learning curve.

Key Features of Fusion 360

Fusion 360 has a lot of features, and it is also optimized for 3D printing as there is a slicer that you can use to slice your designs and send them to your 3D printer and get real-life objects.

Some of the significant features of Fusion 360 are:

• 3D design and modeling
• Manufacturing
• Electronics
• Data management
• Collaboration
• Additive manufacturing
• Generative design
• Simulation
• Documentation
• Fusion 360 extensions

These are some of the prominent features of Fusion 360 software. You can use the software for different purposes. If you're an engineer you can create 3D designs related to machines, electronics, and do so much more.

3D modeling in Fusion 360. Image source: Digitalengineering

If you're a freelancer, then you can use it for 3D modeling different designs. Since freelancers receive orders from different clients and all the designs are also different, this is a good option for them.

The pricing of Fusion 360 is:

Trial Version: For individuals who are doing home-based, non-commercial designs.

Monthly: $60

Yearly: $495

Custom: Contact an expert

8. SketchUp

Model created in Google SketchUp. Image source: Sketchup

SketchUp is a 3D modeling computer program that has a wide range of drawing applications that include architectural, interior design, civil and mechanical engineering, film and video game design, etc. It's being used by a large community of architectural designers.

Key Features of SketchUp

This software is mostly used in construction work and new features are usually being added every year. Civil and mechanical engineers use this tool for preparing building and machine designs. With this software, you can design delightfully and easily collaborate with your team.

SketchUp is very professional and has been used by professionals for a very long time. It was developed by the startup company @Last Software of Boulder, Colorado, co-founded in 1999 by Brad Schell and Joe Esch.

The price of SketchUp varies according to its use. The pricing is as follows:

For Personal

• SketchUp Free: $0
• SketchUp Shop: $119/year
• SketchUp Pro: $299/year

For Professional

• SketchUp Pro: $299/year
• SketchUp Studio: $699/year

Higher Education

• For Students: $55/year
• For Educators: $55/year

9. FreeCAD

As the name suggests, FreeCAD is a free and open source software that is general-purpose. Parametric modeling allows you to easily modify your design by going back into your model history and changing its parameters.

If you find it difficult to create designs then this tool can help you a lot. You just have to create 2D designs and you can use them as a base to create 3D designs.

FreeCAD is intended for mechanical engineers, but it also expands to a wider range of uses such as architecture and electrical engineering.

Key FreeCAD features:

• FreeCAD was primarily created to design objects for the real world
• A powerful solid-based geometry kernel
• A widely parametric environment
• The user interface is coded in easy-to-use Python
• FreeCAD allows you to import and export files

FreeCAD is downloadable in various operating systems such as Windows, Mac, and Linux. If you are looking for a free 3d modeling software for beginners, you should consider FreeCAD.

Pricing: Free

10. OpenSCAD

OpenSCAD is a free 3d modeling software application for product design. This software is available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows, and Mac OS X. OpenSCAD was developed by Marius Kintel and Claire Wolf.

Key Features of OpenSCAD

OpenSCAD provides two main modeling techniques, first, there is constructive solid geometry and second, there is extrusion of 2D outlines. Besides 2D paths for extrusion, it is also possible to read design parameters from DXF files.

This software doesn't focus on the artistic aspects of 3D modeling but instead focuses on the CAD aspects and it can also be used by users of all skill levels. So, this is a great application for creating 3D models of machine parts but not good for creating computer-animated movies.