Licenses for the most popular 3D programs on the market today are not cheap today. Luckily, there are quite a few companies (larger or smaller) around the world that like to share the programs they have developed, as well as some clever companies that offer free trial versions of their paid programs.
To save you time and effort, I present you a short list of the best free 3D programs to download today if you want. So if you are a 3D artist or want to get started, this article will be interesting for you.
Blender
If you want to get serious with 3D and you are saving to be able to pay for a license of some payment program, with Blender you're lucky. Blender is a free and open source 3D modeling and creation program, available for all major operating systems (windows, mac osx and linux).
Started by the founder of the Blender Foundation, Ton Roosendaal, in 2002, Blender is today the largest open source tool for 3D modeling and creation. Its creators are constantly working on its development, but practically you can do anything related to 3D with this software, including modeling, texturing, animation, rendering, and compositing.
Daz studio
Daz studio is a customization, presentation and animation tool for 3D figures that allows artists of all skill levels to create digital art using virtual characters, animals, accessories, vehicles and environments.
With Daz Studio, you can create custom 3D characters and avatars, design virtual environments, produce 3D graphic design elements, and much more. The latest version of Daz Studio 3d usually has a price of € 249.00, but currently you can find it available to download for free on the website of the company that developed this program.
Sculpted
If you are interested in the art of digital modeling, try the 3D program Sculpted, developed by Pixologic. Perfect for all skill levels, the software is a great starting point for users new to the discipline, and the most experienced CG artists will find in this software a fast and easy way to realize concepts.
Sculptris is based on Pixologic's ZBrush, the digital sculpture (modeling) application most used in today's market. So when you're ready to move on to the next level of detail, the skills learned in Sculptris can be applied directly to ZBrush.
Houdini apprentice
Houdini is a 3D animation tool and visual effects, widely used throughout the media industry, especially for film. In its cheapest version it costs "just" a little less than € 2000.
However, the developers of the program, Side Effects Software, knowing that the cost of the program is not accessible to everyone, offer a Learner version for free. With this you can access all the features of the full version to develop your software skills and work on personal projects. The program is purely for non-commercial and learning purposes.
Maya & 3ds Max trial version
Trial versions of Maya and 3Ds Max they are not free forever. But if you are a 3D artist who wants to later invest in a program or you are a student who wants to master the program, then the giant company Autodesk is worth knowing. offers free 30-day trials in its creation and modeling programs in 3d, 3D Maya and 3ds Max.
These two shows are favorites of both the movie and video game industries. They are used by many of the leading animation and special effects studios around the world, and buying these programs can cost you at least € 3,675. Autodesk knows that both products are a great investment and therefore offer their customers the opportunity to try them before they buy to see the possibilities they offer.
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DAZ Studio already has more or less a little more than 10 years in the market. I have watched it grow, I have come to know and love this software. In my opinion of all the applications out there, DAZ Studio has by far the best and easiest user interface. It is logical, customizable for newbies (and pro) friendly and 100% customizable with large icons.
You can move the windows around, resize them, and even turn them off to save space (and headache). Let's face it, it's shocking, as most apps are incredibly complex to use. And DAZ Studio is easy and free!