If you just look at the interface of a 3D modeling software, you are more likely to get lost as there are thousands of controls. With some extensive research, I found out some key areas that we need to consider when starting 3D modeling and animations as a beginner.Īlthough 3D animations and models are very pleasing and attractive, the behind the scenes process in converting an idea into reality is very complex and time-consuming.

Maya has been the industry standard for 3D modeling for years whereas Blender is a new addition to the pool with some cool and reliable features. Blender was an open-source software and Maya gave a 1-year subscription for university students. The main reason for this decision was the prices.

So back to the topic, I was still stuck at making a choice and was able to narrow it down to two tools, namely, Maya and Blender. However, all of them are capable of performing all the basic functions at a beginner level. Talking about these products, each of them has their specialized areas such as visual effects, 3D modeling, character rigging, sculpting, etc. Houdini - Variable price plans(Free version available for University students)įrom the above comparison, you can see that these software are not free and they are not cheap at all(you can check their price plans in their official websites), therefore one must really know what they’re doing.Autodesk Maya - Paid(Free version available for University students for one year).

Mentioned below are some of the most popular and widely used 3D modeling software along with their subscription types. There are many industry-standard software available in the market for 3D modeling and each of these has its own pros and cons. One of the main problems I face d when I thought of starting was selecting a good and user friendly software.

Free autodesk maya 3d models