7 of the Best Free and Lowcost 3D Modeling Tools Available

Right now, there's no artform that everyone seems to want to break into more than 3D. Whether it's in the hopes of producing the next Wall-E or a desire to do something less ambitious like create mods for a popular video game, people everywhere are trying to learn all they can about 3D graphics.

If you're someone who's recently been bitten by the 3D bug and have been looking for tools to help you get started, you may have been shocked and even disappointed to learn that the most popular 3D programs-- so called industry standards such as 3D Studio Max, Maya, and others-- cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

But just because you can't afford these programs it doesn't mean you're shut out of the world of 3D. This is because there are plenty of cheaper alternatives to give you the tools necessary to creating 3d art and animation. How much cheaper? Not only are some of these alternatives a fraction of the cost of a Maya or 3DS Max, many of them are even free with absolutely no strings attached.

As you can imagine, there are a lot of these alternatives to choose from. However, in my opinion there are only seven that are worth looking at. Below is a list of them. Some are shareware, some are freeware, but all are invaluable tools in helping you join the 3D revolution.

Anim8or
In my opinion, Anim8or is probably one of the most underrated pieces of freeware available, providing users with all the tools needed to make models, create characters, and produce 3D films. In contrast to some of the other programs on this list, it's a pretty barebones application-- it doesn't come jam packed with tons of dazzling functions and plugins. But that's the beauty of it. Precisely because it's not crammed with all these high end features, it's the perfect tool for beginners who want to learn the most important concepts in 3D modeling without getting distracted by a cluttered interface or a bevy of operations. By the time you've mastered this program, you'll be well on your way to graduating to more sophisticated ones, so I recommend it highly for those completely new to 3d graphics.

Wings 3D
Like Anim8or, Wings 3D is a barebones application that gives users basic tools to build models with. When you first open it, the minimal GUI may not look like much, but play with it awhile and you'll see that you can create anything your heart desires, from basic cartoon characters to sophisticated aircraft and military machinery. Unlike Anim8or it doesn't have any animation capabilities. However, it's excellent for what it is, and that is as an entry level program for beginners trying to break into 3d modeling without the expense of a 3DS Max or the steep learning curve of a similar high end product.

Because Wings 3D is a lot like Anim8or, you may be wondering which program to start with first. If you're more interested in character animation and filmmaking, go with Anim8or. However, if all you want to do just create models, go with Wings 3D.

Google Sketchup
Clearly geared towards novices, Google's freeware modeling app is so easy to use, even a complete newbie to 3D can start creating objects in a matter of minutes. Just draw a simple 2d shape, then extrude, push and pull parts of it to make a more complex 3D shapes. It's as easy as that!

As Sketchup is heavily CAD-oriented, it's better suited for architectural and product design rather than character design and animation. But if all you want to do is create models of buildings, interiors, appliances, furniture and other similar items, it's perfect for what you need.

Milkshape 3D
Originally designed to create and edit games for Half Life, Milkshape 3D has now become the 3D modeling tool of choice for players of popular games, such as The Sims, Quake, and Unreal Tournament. Unlike the previously mentioned apps, Milkshape 3D is not freeware and must be bought after a 30 day trial. However, it's not at all expensive, expecially considering how much you'd have to pay for 3DS Max. Also, it's worth it if your sole intent in 3d modeling is modding, because it supports native formats that many video games use.

TrueSpace 7.6
If you're put off or intimidated by the often dry, mathematical look that 3D programs tend to come in, one program you might want to check out is TrueSpace. With its visually appealing GUI, colorful menu palettes, and drag and drop interface, it makes the mechanical world of 3D feel more user friendly and accessible to the average user than the typical 3D software. Initially, the emphasis on prettiness might cause you to think it's more style than substance. However, TrueSpace is a much more powerful program than it lets on, giving users the ability to not only build models but create high quality 3D animation.

Daz Studio 3
Probably the most professional out of all the software listed here, Daz Studio is a powerful 3D app that allows users to create stunning, state of the art animation, character designs, and graphics of amazing studio-like quality. Although it's technically freeware, it comes with a 30 day trial giving you access to Daz Studio Advanced, a more sophisticated version of Daz that you must register once the trial ends. Don't let that dissuade you, though. If you don't register the program, all you lose are Advanced's features; you still get use the basic version of Daz, which gives you more than enough tools to complete your projects with.

Blender 3D
When it comes to open source, no program outside of Gimp has garnered so much acclaim. This is because it's allowed the average user to create sophisticated games, artwork, and animated films that match the level of artistry seen from professional studios. There's just one major problem: it has one one of the worst, most frustrating GUIs ever designed. As if that weren't bad enough, tutorials seem to be few and far between, making the learning curve that much steeper.

If there's any consolation, there's a new beta release of Blender that claims to have a much better GUI than the current one. If you find the interface of Blender 2.49 too aggravating, you can try working with 2.5 instead. However, there's a trade off-- it may have the better GUI, but being in development it's less stable than 2.49.