3d Game Graphic Design Software

10 Best 3D Graphic Design Software of 2021

Every graphic designer needs software to create incredible designs. That is to say, that graphic design is all about software.

A talented designer can make some beautiful designs out of Microsoft Paint, but Microsoft Paint doesn't provide many features compared to software. A well-built graphic design software offers flexibility and control that can help you in creating fabulous designs with much ease.

Even a beginner can make beautiful designs by using specialized software because the software makes the process easy, and because of its many features, it takes less time to make a 3D design or model.

There are many graphic design software available in the market but not every software will suit you and your specific project. For example, not all 2D graphic design software can be able to create great 3D designs. Hence there in addition to learning programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, and other 2D design software, it's important for every graphic designer to learn 3D modeling software as it's useful in creating 3D graphics that are eye-catching.

The best way to know which 3D graphic design software will suit your 3D project is by experimenting with them. Many software provides free trial for some days. In that time, you can try out the software and then choose the best 3D graphic design software that will interest you.

You can't try every software because there's a lot of software available in the market, and trying out all of them will take a lot of time. But don't worry, because in this article, we will provide you with the 10 Best 3D graphic design software of 2021.

Now, you can experiment with these ten tools to find which tool will best fit you, and you have to try only ten software to save your time.

Let's dive in!

Best 3D Graphic Design Software

Here is the best 3D graphic design software of 2021:

SelfCAD
Maya
Cinema 4D
Modo
SketchUp
Lightwave 3D
ZBrush
Fusion360
Blender
Revit

1. SelfCAD

3D graphic design software

SelfCAD is one of the best software for graphic designers because its interface is straightforward, and that's why it's taking the first position on our list. It has been designed in such a way that it has a simplified interface that makes it easier for beginners to navigate through. The tools, as well, are arranged in clusters based on their use, making it easier for one to locate any tool.

SelfCAD is software in which you create objects, scenes, and 3D designs in much less time than you would if you're using traditional CAD software. You don't need to have experience in 3D designing to be able to create models in SelfCAD. You can create excellent 3D graphics that look exactly like the products in real life. SelfCAD also has rendering features that allow you to produce robust and eye-catching renders that can be used in marketing and advertising.

One of the outstanding features of SelfCAD is its training material that can help you as a beginner. The interactive tutorials, YouTube videos, and Udemy courses allow you to learn SelfCAD from basic to advanced level. Additionally, with SelfCAD, you can easily modify your designs with much ease. You can also add textures, colours etc., easily.

SelfCAD is very affordable; you can purchase its pro plan at a significantly lower price than other 3D CAD software. Users are also given a 10-day free trial where they have full access to all the tools. After a 10-day free trial, you can either continue with the free version with limited access to features or subscribe to any of the following packages.

Free: Forever (with limited features).

SelfCAD Pro Monthly: $14.99.

SelfCAD Pro Yearly: $139.99.

SelfCAD Perpetual License: $599.00 (Lifetime access)

2. Maya

Maya is a 3D visual effects software with powerful character creation, rigging, animation and simulation tools. It is used to develop video games, 3D applications, animated films, and visual effects.

Maya 1.0 was released in 1998, and since that time, this software has had uses in many industries; it was noted to be used in films such as The Lord of the Rings, Spider-Man, The Two Towers, and more.

If you want to create heavy designs, then Maya is a good choice because it has been available in the market for a long time, and Maya has already shown its capabilities in many industries.

Some prominent features of Maya are as follows:

Dynamics and effects
Rigging
3D animation
Universal scene description (USD) workflows
3D modeling
3D rendering and shading
Motion graphics
Pipeline integration

Pricing Details:

Monthly: $215

Annually: $1,700

3 Years: $4,590

3. Cinema 4D

3D Graphic design software

Cinema 4D is a professional 3D animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering software solution. Cinema 4D has a vast online library of tutorials that provide you with a kickstart in the journey of graphic designing. It has a shallow learning curve.

Cinema 4D is an excellent choice for professional 3D designers and beginners because it is widely recognized as one of the most straightforward and most accessible 3D packages to learn and use.

Several movies have been modelled in Cinema 4D including, Beowulf, The golden compass, Inception, and King Arthur. Cinema 4D software has its uses in many industries because of its various features.

The best features of Cinema 4D re:

Polygonal modeling
Volume modeling
Simulation
Rendering system
Network rendering
Adobe Illustrator
Supported file formats
And many more

Pricing Details:

Monthly: $94.00

Yearly: $718.92

4. Modo

Modo is a powerful and flexible 3D modeling and rendering software that empowers artists to explore and develop ideas without jumping through technical hoops.

Whether you create innovative product designs, graphic designs, or film and video content, Modo lets you create all the designs with much ease because it has user-friendly tools that make you realize your ideas with full creative potential.

Modo is also known as one of the industry's fastest modeling toolset; users choose Modo to enable fast direct modeling. Modo supports industry formats like OpenSubdiv, OpenColorIO, OpenEXR, OpenVDB, and Alembic.

Some best features of Modo are:

Sculpting
Topology
Drawing
Animation
Rendering
Pipeline
Easy controls
Template Library

Pricing Details:

Modo Perpetual: $1,909 (permanent license with one-year maintenance)

Modo Maintenance: $440/year

Modo Subscription: $65/month

5. SketchUp

3D graphic design software

SketchUp is a 3D graphic design computer program with a wide range of drawing applications that covers architectural, interior design, civil and mechanical engineering, film and video game design, etc.

This software is mainly used in construction work. Civil and mechanical engineers use this tool for creating 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

6. Lightwave 3D

Lightwave 3D has very nice modeling workflow, fast rendering and does not require colossal hardware. Lightwave 3D software is designed for independent artists and freelancers who want to work by themselves.

Freelance graphic designers can use Lightwave 3D software to create designs for their clients or use it to complete any project.

Lightwave 3D is one of the leading 3D systems on the market, and this tool is affordable, easy-to-use and easy to learn.

You get a 30-day free trial with Lightwave 3D. You can learn the interface and different features of the tool, and if you like it, you can then purchase it. The pricing is as follows:

Lightwave 3D: $995

7. ZBrush

ZBrush is a 3D and graphic designing tool that combines 3D modeling, texturing, and painting. It is used for creating high-resolution models for use in games, movies, and animations.

If you're an owner of a company that provides services in the gaming and movie industry, then ZBrush may be a good choice because it has many features that can help you offer the best services to your clients and customers.

When you use ZBrush, you will be empowered by the same tools used by game developers, game studios, toy makers, designers, architects and other artists. It will increase your work performance, and the speed of ZBrush will also save you time.

Pricing Details:

Monthly: $39.95

Biannual: $179.95

Perpetual: $895 (Lifetime Subscription)

8. Fusion360

Fusion 360 is a cloud-based CAD/CAM tool for collaborative product development. People that can use this software include Machinists, Graphic Designers, Mechanical Engineers, Industrial Designers, Collaborators, Electronics Engineers, etc.

It unifies design, engineering, PCB design, and manufacturing into a single platform. It allows you to deliver high-quality products to the market faster and positively impact your bottom line.

You can use Fusion 360 for a variety of purposes, such as:

3D Design & Modeling
Manufacturing
Electronics
Data Management
Collaboration
Additive Manufacturing
Generative Design
Simulation
Documentation
Fusion 360 Extensions

As a product designer and graphic designer, you usually have many tasks to perform, and with the help of this software, you can complete all those tasks with much ease.

Fusion 360 software has a lot of features, and you can use it for different purposes. Fusion 360 accelerates your ideas, eliminates the disconnect with engineering teams, and turns your concepts into profitable products with a single solution.

Pricing Details:

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

Monthly: $60

Yearly: $495

9. Blender (Free)

3D graphic design software

Blender is a free and open-source 3D designing tool that comes with lots of features. Many beginner graphic designers start their journey using the software.

Blender is a prevalent tool, and you can find the reviews, tutorials, and videos of Blender very easily. There are many courses available on Udemy related to Blender, and you can also find thousands of videos on YouTube.

So, if you are a beginner and don't have money to purchase any premium tool/software, you can learn graphic designing by using Blender. It has a straightforward interface, and the learning curve is also easy.

Some great features of Blender are:

Modeling
Sculpting
Animation and Rigging
Rendering
Simulation
Video Editing
Scripting
VFX
Interface

The best part of Blender is, it is free to use.

10. Revit

Revit software is built for helping professionals design, build, and maintain higher-quality buildings, games, and other graphic designs. With the help of Revit software, you can begin modeling in 3D with accuracy and precision.

Revit handles your routine and repetitive tasks with automation so you can focus on higher-value work.

Pricing Details:

Monthly: $320 USD

Yearly: $2,545 USD

Best Value: $6,870/paid every three years

Conclusion

Above, we have mentioned the 10 Best 3D Graphic Design Software of 2021. Each software has its unique features. You have to choose the software as per your demand.

Software is an essential part of graphic designing, so choose your software wisely because you can't change your software frequently, and if you've chosen the wrong software, then your workflow will be greatly hindered.

Go through the features of each software carefully and then make your choice.

Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.

Try SelfCAD

Need to learn 3D Modeling? Get started with interactive tutorials.