Productivity Tools

The Top 5 3D Modelling Solutions

Compare leading 3D modeling platforms that excel in features such as precise rendering, efficient mesh editing, and advanced animation capabilities.

Last updated on Feb 28, 2024

Written by Mirren McDade

Technical review by Laura Iannini

The Top 5 3D Modelling Solutions include:

1. Unity Cloud
2. SketchUp
3. Blender
4. AutoDesk Maya
5. Adobe Substance 3D Modeler

3D modelling solutions allow users to create, design, modify, and visualize 3D models and concepts, bringing them to life in an immersive and tangible way. These solutions are used by teams and users in a range of industries, including architecture, game design, animation, healthcare, film, and education. 3D modelling can support accurate and precise models for complex projects, improving communication across teams, and enhancing visualization of concepts.

For users, 3D modelling software allows you to create complex 3D concepts and structures digitally which can then be manipulated, enhanced, and shared effortlessly. From game designers needing models for their latest creation, to architects planning buildings, or scientists analyzing complex data visually, 3D modelling tools provide the necessary tools to create and collaborate on design conceps.

The 3D modelling solution market is competitive, with many strong options from many leading providers. These solutions often offer key functionalities including 3D rendering, animation, texturing, and printing. In this article, we will compare the top 3D modelling software providers, examining their features – such as ease of use, flexibility, rendering options, available libraries, integration capabilities, and licensing models.

Unity Cloud

Unity Technologies is the developer of the leading ‘Unity’ game engine. Unity is a versatile game engine suitable for creating both three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) games, interactive simulations and a variety of other experiences. Spanning 20+ platforms, Unity is a clear market leader, with 82 of the top 100 games globally built on the Unity engine.

The Unity Cloud is a comprehensive collection of interconnected products and services, Unity Cloud enables the development of real-time 3D experiences. This includes the Unity Asset Manager for centralized asset browsing and lifecycle management, Team Administration for cohesive functionality, DevOps for agile adaptations, and Unity Ecosystem Integrations for an uninterrupted workflow.

ProBuilder, also integrated into the Unity portfolio, provides a mix of 3D modeling and level design tools. The main functionality includes quick prototyping of structures, contriving complex terrain features, vehicles, weapons, and creating custom collision geometry, trigger zones or navigation meshes. ProBuilder supports detailed editing and UV unwrapping, facilitating both simple and intricate geometric designs. This tool merges well with other digital content creation tools such as Maya due to Unity’s round-tripping capabilities.

SketchUp

SketchUp is a 3D modeling software developed by Trimble Inc. that is designed to easily allow users to visualize and create 3D models of buildings, landscapes, furniture, among other objects. This software is often utilized in sectors such as architecture and interior design due to its versatile features.

With a web-based application available (SketchUp Free) along with three paid subscriptions (SketchUp Shop, SketchUp Pro, and SketchUp Studio), users can choose from a range of services that offer increasing tiers of functionality. Key features include a drawing layout function, surface rendering in various “styles,” and compatibility with Google Earth. SketchUp prioritizes intuitive design, efficient user management, and a low-learning curve—it is designed to bring users or entire teams up to speed quickly. Not only does SketchUp offer robust 3D tools, it simplifies collaboration with features that support cross-functional efficiency, such as 3D mark-up, task assignment, and clash-checking.

The software supports a wide array of professional file formats, including IFC 4. SketchUp also offers premium services with paid subscriptions that range from pre-built 3D models and unlimited cloud storage, to tools for import and modeling on point clouds, alongside features for creating real-time visualizations and exporting fully rendered animations and 360° panoramas.

Blender

Blender is a comprehensive 3D computer graphics toolset. The platform is open-sourced and free to use. Highly versatile, it’s used for tasks such as creating animated films and motion graphics to generating visual effects, 3D printed models, and interactive 3D applications. Its robust feature set includes 3D modelling, digital drawing, rigging and skinning, fluid and smoke simulation, particle simulation, animation, rendering, and video editing, amongst others.

Blender uses the Cycles Render Engine, an ultra-realistic renderer that uses both CPU and GPU rendering. It supports real-time viewport preview, HDR lighting, and VR rendering. Additionally, Blender’s variety of modeling tools facilitate efficient creation, transformation and editing of your models with features like Full N-Gon support, edge slide, grid and bridge fill, multi-resolution and dynamic subdivision, and 3D painting with textured brushes. Blender also stands out for its powerful visual effects (VFX) capabilities. It can import raw footage for tracking and offers real-time previews, thus reducing the need to toggle between programs.

Customization is at the core of Blender’s user interface. The UI can be adjusted to personal preference in terms of layout, colors, size, and fonts. Hundreds of community-created add-ons are available, or users can create their own with Blender’s accessible Python API.

AutoDesk Maya

Autodesk Maya is a 3D computer graphics builder that available on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. Maya is globally used by various organizations for creating assets used in interactive 3D applications, including elements for video games, animated films and TV series, and visual effects. Maya stands out for its ability to produce professional 3D designs, creating realistic characters and intricate effects suitable for Hollywood-scale productions.

This solution provides accessible animation tools and intuitive modeling tools to shape 3D objects and scenes. Users can simulate realistic effects from explosions to cloth movement. It facilitates the addition of minute details to characters and scenes and is able to handle complex 3D models, with top industry artists leveraging the tool to create sophisticated shots, characters, and worlds.

AutoDesk offers a comprehensive toolset to animate any 3D asset. Maya also includes Bifrost for creating physically-accurate simulations in a unified visual programming environment.

Adobe Substance 3D Modeler

The Adobe Substance 3D Modeler enables teams to create 3D models and scenes on both desktop and VR platforms. The user-friendly system is easy to use, aiming to make the experience of 3D modelling as intuitive as simple sketching. It efficiently tackles the more complex and technical dimensions of modelling, like UV management, allowing the user to concentrate on the creative process.

The Adobe Substance 3D Modeler is highly versatile and is designed to handle projects of all scales – from sculpting a single object to an entire scene. It provides a fluid transition between desktop and VR modes and comes equipped with symmetry and repetition tools for ideal precision and efficiency in assembling complex objects or crafting intricate details.

The 3D Modeler allows for organic and hard surface sculpting. Users can form, smooth, and shape organically with digital 3D sculpting tools that take inspiration from the real-world clay molding process. For clear and decisive forms, users can create using parametric shapes, adding and cutting primitives to form complex models.

Everything You Need To Know About 3D Modelling Solutions (FAQs)

What are 3D Modelling Solutions?

A 3D modelling solution is a tool designed to allow users to easily create three-dimensional representations of objects, environments, and characters. These 3D representations can be used for visualizations, analysis, simulation, or production purposes, and the solutions themselves come in a variety of types which cater to a diverse range of needs.

These solutions are capable of depicting detail in an object in far finer detail than a flat image could, which lets users see a textured and geometrically verified object to scale, with the correct shape and colors. Some key benefits to using a 3D modelling solutions include:

Cost saving. When you can render a detailed computer model of any objects, the need to use real world materials to create a prototype to pass through the testing, checking and expertise stages vanishes, saving the related costs.
Better visual representation. A good 3D model is useful for demonstrating to production teams what the product is expected to look like and how it will function.
Attract customers and sponsors. Presenting products in this highly visual manner can be effective in attracting customers and sponsors as a detailed 3D rendering of something is always going to be more impressive and enticing than a flat image.

How do 3D Modelling Solutions work?

3D modelling software works by creating points in 3D space which are connected by lines to form polygons. These polygons add depth, breadth and height to objects, which can be textured, lightened, and rendered to create realistic or abstract models. Working with 3D modelling tools also includes the capability of simulating physics, adding animations and actions, and creating interactive experiences.

A 3D model is made up of vertices that come together to form a mesh, which then acts as the core of the 3D model. All points on the models can be altered in shape, and by using coordinated data a 3D modeling solution can identify the location of each vertical and horizontal point, in relation to the reference point, allowing for the model to be molded and refined into the desired shape. Many industries rely on 3D modelling to complete important projects as it is a highly versatile medium that can be utilized in a variety of different areas, including games development, architecture, animations, products design, and more.

The specific capabilities and workflow will differ between 3D modeling solutions. The overall goal of these tools is to provide users with a flexible and intuitive environment in which to create detailed and realistic 3D models, whether these be artistic, architectural, engineering, or entertainment based.

What features should you look for in 3D Modelling Solutions?

When choosing a 3D modelling solution, it is important to consider the specific requirements for your upcoming projects, the industry you are operating in, the skill sets of those who will be using the tool, and the desired output. Different solutions on the market will offer slightly different features sets, workflows, and specialties, so which one will work best for your organization may vary depending on your needs and preferences.

Selecting a 3D modelling solution requires the careful consideration of various features to ensure that the solution is aligned with your specific needs and workflow. Some core features to look for include the following:

Ease of use and customization: An intuitive UI is essential for maintaining a good workflow and providing a positive user experience. It is a good idea to look for a solution with intuitive navigation and accessible tools as it will make the learning curve for employees who will need to use the tool far easier, especially if users are being introduced to the solution at differing levels of expertise. Customization is also important, as the ability to customize the UI and workflow could lead to improved productivity by accommodating different user preferences.
Rendering options: This refers to the settings and configurations available in a 3D modelling software solution for generating a final, visual representation of the 3D object or scene that has been created. Rendering is the transformation of a 3D scene into a 2D image of animation where things like lighting, camera effects, and materials can be simulated to produce a realistic or stylized result. Rendering options typically include a range of settings that allow users to control and customize the appearance of the final render, which provides greater flexibility in the type of visual effects that can be achieved.
Component libraries: Component libraries are a very important aspect of managing and organizing important digital assets, which include 3D models, textures, materials, scripts, and more. The functionality of libraries can vary depending on the solutions provider, but in general the principles are consistent and work to achieve the same overall goal, which is to streamline the workflow by providing a centralized and organized repository for assets. This makes it easier to manage, reuse, and share resources across projects, which is good for efficiency and productivity.
Integration capabilities: This refers to how equipped the 3D modelling solution is for working with, and exchange data with, other applications in the user’s workflow. The ability to integrate like this is vital as it enhances productivity, streamlines processes, and facilitates more effective collaboration between teams. Specific integration capabilities will vary considerably between different 3D modelling solutions, however, so it is important to look for a solution that suits the specific requirements of your organization.
Licensing models: 3D modelling solutions will often offer several different licensing models which cater to the diverse requirements of users and organizations. These licensing models can differ in terms of the capabilities they offer, usage restrictions, and pricing, so organizations should consider factors like their collaboration requirements, the scale of usage, the desired level of ownership and control over the software, and their budget, before selecting a solution.

Mirren McDade

Senior Journalist & Content Writer

Mirren McDade is a senior writer and journalist at Expert Insights, spending each day researching, writing, editing and publishing content, covering a variety of topics and solutions, and interviewing industry experts. She is an experienced copywriter with a background in a range of industries, including cloud business technologies, cloud security, information security and cyber security, and has conducted interviews with several industry experts. Mirren holds a First Class Honors degree in English from Edinburgh Napier University.

Laura Iannini

Cybersecurity Analyst

Laura Iannini is an Information Security Engineer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of West Florida. Laura has experience with a variety of cybersecurity platforms and leads technical reviews of leading solutions. She conducts thorough product tests to ensure that Expert Insights’ reviews are definitive and insightful.