For modeling, rigging, animation, VFX, rendering, and more!
| Tool Name | Description | Platform | Free/Paid | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blender | Open-source 3D suite for modeling, animation, rendering, VFX, and more. | Windows, macOS, Linux | Free | Blender |
| Autodesk Maya | Industry-standard for 3D animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering. | Windows, macOS | Paid (from $225/mo) | Maya |
| Cinema 4D | Intuitive 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software. | Windows, macOS | Paid (from $59.91/mo) | Cinema 4D |
| Autodesk 3ds Max | Professional 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software (popular for games). | Windows | Paid (from $225/mo) | 3ds Max |
| Houdini | 3D procedural modeling and VFX software, great for simulations and animation. | Windows, macOS, Linux | Paid (Free Apprentice version) | Houdini |
| ZBrush | Industry-leading digital sculpting and painting software. | Windows, macOS | Paid (from $39.95/mo) | ZBrush |
| Marvelous Designer | 3D clothing and fabric design tool for realistic garment simulation. | Windows, macOS | Paid (from $50/mo) | Marvelous Designer |
| DAZ Studio | 3D scene creation and rendering software (ideal for character design). | Windows, macOS | Free / Paid content | DAZ Studio |
| Unity 3D | Popular 3D game engine with strong animation tools for interactive content. | Windows, macOS, Linux | Free / Paid (Pro $399/yr) | Unity |
| Unreal Engine | Real-time 3D creation tool for games, film, and animation (high-fidelity visuals). | Windows, macOS, Linux | Free (royalty-based) | Unreal Engine |
| Mixamo | Free tool by Adobe for rigging and animating 3D characters automatically. | Web | Free | Mixamo |
| Marmoset Toolbag | Real-time rendering, baking, and animation tool for 3D artists. | Windows, macOS | Paid (from $14.99/mo) | Marmoset |
| Substance 3D Painter | Advanced texturing tool for painting 3D models, part of Adobe’s Substance suite. | Windows, macOS, Linux | Paid (from $19.90/mo) | Substance Painter |
| Poser | 3D rendering software optimized for creating human and animal figures. | Windows, macOS | Paid (from $199 one-time) | Poser |
| Modo | 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering tool known for its user-friendly workflow. | Windows, macOS, Linux | Paid (from $65/mo) | Modo |
| Lightwave 3D | Comprehensive 3D modeling, rendering, and animation tool. | Windows, macOS | Paid (from $995 one-time) | Lightwave 3D |
| KeyShot | Fast and easy 3D rendering and animation for product visualization. | Windows, macOS | Paid (from $99/mo) | KeyShot |
| Bryce 3D | 3D modeling and landscape design software (specialized for terrains). | Windows, macOS | Paid | Bryce 3D |
| FaceRig (now Animaze) | Real-time facial motion capture and animation software for avatars. | Windows | Paid (from $14.99) | Animaze |
| Sculptris | Beginner-friendly digital sculpting tool from the makers of ZBrush. | Windows, macOS | Free | Sculptris |
🌐 3D & Animation Tools for Web Development & Design
| Tool Name | Description | Platform | Free/Paid | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three.js | A popular JavaScript library for creating 3D graphics directly in the browser using WebGL. | Web, JavaScript | Free (Open-source) | Three.js |
| Spline | Design and publish interactive 3D web experiences, scenes, and prototypes. | Web, macOS, Windows | Free / Paid (from $9/mo) | Spline |
| Rive | Create and ship interactive animations for web and apps with real-time updates. | Web, Windows, macOS | Free / Paid (from $14/mo) | Rive |
| Lottie by Airbnb | Render animations in real-time on web and mobile. Exports from Adobe After Effects as JSON. | Web, Mobile | Free | LottieFiles |
| GSAP (GreenSock) | JavaScript animation library for smooth, high-performance web animations. | Web, JavaScript | Free / Paid (Club Greensock from $99/yr) | GSAP |
| Babylon.js | Powerful 3D engine for creating games and visualizations directly in the browser. | Web, JavaScript | Free (Open-source) | Babylon.js |
| Zdog | 3D engine for designing flat, pseudo-3D graphics directly on the web. | Web, JavaScript | Free (Open-source) | Zdog |
| Adobe Animate | Animate vector graphics and create interactive content for web and mobile. | Windows, macOS | Paid (from $22.99/mo) | Adobe Animate |
| PixiJS | Fast, lightweight 2D rendering engine for interactive web content and games. | Web, JavaScript | Free (Open-source) | PixiJS |
| SVGator | Animate SVG graphics with a no-code tool, export them for web use. | Web | Free / Paid (from $18/mo) | SVGator |
| Clara.io | Cloud-based 3D modeling, animation, and rendering tool for web content. | Web | Free | Clara.io |
| Vectary | Web-based 3D design tool, great for prototyping, AR, and embedding 3D models. | Web | Free / Paid (from $12/mo) | Vectary |
| AnimXYZ | CSS and JavaScript library for complex animations on web interfaces. | Web | Free (Open-source) | AnimXYZ |
| PlayCanvas | 3D game engine for building and hosting real-time interactive experiences in the browser. | Web, JavaScript | Free / Paid (from $50/mo) | PlayCanvas |
| Lume | Web Components-based framework for building 3D experiences and interfaces for web. | Web, JavaScript | Free (Open-source) | Lume |
✅ Categories inside:
- Web-Based 3D Engines: Three.js, Babylon.js, PlayCanvas
- Animation Tools for UI/UX: Rive, GSAP, Lottie, SVGator
- Web-based 3D Design Platforms: Spline, Vectary, Clara.io
- Game/Interactive Frameworks: PixiJS, Lume, AnimXYZ
