Comparison of 3D computer graphics software


3D computer graphics software refers to programs used to create 3D computer-generated imagery.

General information

Current software

This table compares elements of notable software that is currently available, based on the raw software without the inclusion of additional plugins.
ApplicationLatest release date
and version		Developed byPlatformsMainly Used ForLicense
3ds Max2019-03-27
v 2020		AutodeskMicrosoft WindowsModeling, Animation, FX Simulations, Lighting, Rendering
AC3D2016-12-?
v 8		InivisLinux, Mac OS X, Microsoft WindowsModeling
Alibre Design2018-07-16
v 2018		Alibre, LLCMicrosoft WindowsComputer Aided Design
AutoCAD2019-03-28
v 2020		AutodeskMac OS X, Microsoft Windows2D Computer Aided Design, 3D Modeling, Basic Rendering, Rudimentary Animation
Blender2020-03-12
v 2.82a		Blender FoundationMicrosoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, BSD, Solaris, AmigaOS 4, MorphOS2D/3D toon Animation, Lighting, Modeling, Node based Material Creation / Texturing / 3D Texture Painting/ UV Mapping, Rendering, 3D Rigging and Animation, Sculpting, Visual 3D Effects, Basic Post-Production Video Editing, Motion Tracking, Python Scripting, Fluid Simulation, Particles, Physics, Compositing
Carrara2013-08-26
8.5.1.19		DAZ 3DMicrosoft Windows, Mac OS XAnimation, Modeling
Cheetah 3D2017-12-07
v 7.1		Dr. Martin WengenmayerMac OS XAnimation, Modeling, Rendering
Cinema 4D2018-09-11
R20		MAXONMac OS X, Microsoft Windows, Amiga OSAnimation, Lighting, Modeling, Visual 3D Effects, Rendering, Simulation
CityEngine2018-09-18
v 2018.1		ProceduralMac OS X, Microsoft Windows, LinuxProcedural Modeling of 3D Cities
Clara.ioredesigned in 2015-03-31ExocortexMozilla FireFox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet ExplorerModeling, Animation, Rendering
Cobalt?-?-?
v9 SP2r3		Ashlar-VellumMac OS X, Microsoft WindowsModeling, Computer Aided Design, Animation
DesignSpark Mechanical2018-11-13
v4.0		SpaceClaim, RS ComponentsMicrosoft WindowsModeling, Computer Aided Design, Rapid Prototyping, 3D Printing
Electric Image Animation System2013-06
v9.1.0		EIAS3DMac OS X, Microsoft WindowsAnimation, Lighting, Rendering, Film, Television, Visual 3D Effects
form-Z pro/jr/free2017-12-?
8.6 WIP		autodessys, Inc.Mac OS X, Microsoft WindowsAnimation, Modeling, Lighting, Render, Fabrication, Set Design
Hexagon2011-08-16
2.5.1.79		DAZ 3DMicrosoft Windows, Mac OS XSubdivision Modeling, UV Mapping
HiCAD2017-02-13
v HiCAD 2017		ISD Software und SystemeMicrosoft Windows2D/3D Modeling, Computer Aided Design, Automatic drawing generation, BIM, Animation, HELiOS PDM integration, API scripting
Houdini2019-03-13
v 17.5		Side Effects SoftwareMicrosoft Windows, Mac OS X, LinuxAnimation, Lighting, Modeling, Visual 3D Effects
iClone2017-12-21
v 7.2.1220.1		ReallusionMicrosoft WindowsAnimation, Film and Television Previz, Videogame Asset Creation, Lighting, Visual 3D Effects
Inventorv 2018-11-30
v 2019.0.2		AutodeskMicrosoft WindowsModeling, Computer Aided Design, Rapid Prototyping, 3D Printing
LightWave 3D2019-08-07
v 2019.1.2		NewTekMac OS X, Microsoft Windows, Amiga OSModeling, Animation, Lighting, Rendering, Film and Television Previz, Videogame Asset Creation
MASSIVE
v 3.5		Massive SoftwareMicrosoft Windows, LinuxArtificial Intelligence in Models
Maya2019-01-15
v 2019		AutodeskMicrosoft Windows, Mac OS X, LinuxModeling, Animation, Lighting, Rendering, Visual 3D Effects
Metasequoia2018-01-10
4.6.5		O. MiznoMicrosoft WindowsModeling
MODO2018-06-21
12.1		The FoundryMac OS X, Microsoft Windows, LinuxModeling, Animation, Rendering
Mudbox2018-03-14
2018.2		AutodeskMac OS X, Microsoft Windows, LinuxLighting, Sculpting
POV-Ray2013-11-09
v3.7.0		The POV-TeamMac OS X, Microsoft Windows, Linux, AmigaOSLighting, Visual 3D effects
PTC Creo ?
v 4.0		Parametric Technology CorporationMicrosoft Windows, HP-UX, UnixModeling, Computer Aided Design
Remo 3D2020-01-10
v 2.9.1		RemographMicrosoft Windows, LinuxModeling, Virtual Reality, Real-time modeling, Video Game Creation, Computer Aided Design
Rhinoceros 3D2018-02-06
v 6.0		McNeelMicrosoft Windows, Mac OS X in betaModeling, Computer Aided Design
Shade 3D2015-03-20
v 15.1		Shade3DMac OS X, Microsoft WindowsModeling, Rendering, Animation
Silo2018
v 2.5.3		NevercenterMac OS X, Microsoft WindowsModeling
SketchUp Pro2019-01-05
v 19.0.685
v 16.1.1450
v 19.1.173 		Trimble NavigationMac OS X, Microsoft WindowsModeling, Computer Aided Design
Solid Edge2018-06-?
ST10		Siemens PLM SoftwareMicrosoft WindowsComputer Aided Design
solidThinking Evolve?-?
v 9.0		solidThinkingMac OS X, Microsoft WindowsModeling
SolidWorks2018-11-16
v SolidWorks 2019 SP0.0		Dassault SystèmesMicrosoft WindowsComputer Aided Design
SpaceClaim2018-01
v 7.12		SpaceClaim CorporationMicrosoft WindowsComputer Aided Design
E-on Vue2017
v 2016 R5		E-on SoftwareMac OS X, Microsoft WindowsAnimation, Landscape Modeling, Lighting
Verto Studio 3D2018-05-06
v2.3.8		Michael L. FarrellMac OS X, iOSMobile Modeling, Texture Mapping, Lighting
Wings 3D2019-04-12
v 2.2.4		Dan Gudmundsson Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, BSD, LinuxModeling, Sculpting, UV mapping
ZBrush2019-03-06
v 2019		PixologicMac OS X, Microsoft WindowsModeling, Texturing, Lighting, Sculpting, Rendering

Inactive software

There are many discontinued software applications.
ApplicationLatest release date
and version		Developed byPlatformsMainly Used ForLicense
Bryce2010-12-23
7.1.0.109		DAZ 3DMicrosoft Windows, Mac OS X Animation, Landscape Modeling, Fractal Geometry
Sculptris2011-07-22
v Alpha 6		PixologicMac OS X, Microsoft WindowsSculpting, Texturing
Softimage2014-04-14
"2015" 		AutodeskMicrosoft Windows, LinuxModeling, Animation, Video Game Creation, Lighting, Rendering, Visual 3d Effects
SketchUp Make2017-11-14
v 18.0.16975
v 18.0.16976 		Trimble NavigationMac OS X, Microsoft WindowsModeling, Computer Aided Design
trueSpace2009-05-25
v 7.61		Caligari CorporationMicrosoft Windows, AmigaOSAnimation, Modeling

Operating system support

The operating systems on which the editors can run natively, meaning which operating systems have which editors specifically coded for them.
NameWindowsMac OS XLinuxUnixBSDOther
3ds Max
AC3D
Art of Illusion
AutoCAD
Blender
Carrara
Cheetah 3D
Cinema 4D
Clara.io
DesignSpark Mechanical
Electric Image Animation System
form-Z
HiCAD
Houdini
IClone
LightWave 3D
MakeHuman
Massive
Maya
Metasequoia
Modo
POV-Ray
Remo 3D
Shade
Silo
SketchUp Make
SketchUp Pro
Softimage
Solid Edge
solidThinking
solidWorks
SpaceClaim
trueSpace
Verto Studio 3D
E-on Vue
Wings 3D
ZBrush

Features

I/O

Image, video, and audio files

3D, and others files

Supported primitives

Modeling

Lookdev / Shader writing

Lighting

Path-tracing Rendering

ApplicationMIPMAP
generation		Adaptive TessellationInstansingCamera CullingDeep Pixel RenderingFisheye Stereo
for Fulldome		Omnidirectional stereo
for HMD		Deforming Motion BlurGPU RenderingTexture Streaming
V-Ray
RenderMan
Arnold
Houdini Mantra
Blender Cycles

LoD Generation/Baking