Comparison of 3D computer graphics software


3D computer graphics software refers to packages 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, with no added plug-ins.
ApplicationLatest release date
and version		DeveloperPlatformsMain usesLicense
3ds Max2024-10-16
v 2025.3		AutodeskWindowsModeling, animation, FX simulation, lighting, rendering
AC3D2022-04-27
v 9.0		InivisLinux, macOS, WindowsModeling
Alibre Design2022-08-03
v 25		Alibre, LLCWindowsComputer aided design
AutoCAD2022-03-28
v 2023		AutodeskmacOS, Windows2D computer aided design, 3D modeling, basic rendering, rudimentary animation
Blender2024-08-20
v 4.2.1		Blender FoundationWindows, macOS, Linux, BSD, Solaris, AmigaOS 4, MorphOS2D–3D cartoon 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 3DWindows, macOSAnimation, modeling
Cheetah 3D2021-02-20
v 7.5.1		Martin WengenmayermacOSAnimation, modeling, rendering
Cinema 4D2022-04-20
S26		MaxonmacOS, Windows, Amiga OSAnimation, lighting, modeling, visual 3D effects, rendering, simulation
CityEngine2018-09-18
v 2018.1		EsrimacOS, Windows, LinuxProcedural Modeling of 3D Cities
Cobalt2020-02-04
v11		Ashlar-VellummacOS, WindowsModeling, computer aided design, animation
DesignSpark Mechanical2020-07-20
v5.0		SpaceClaim, RS ComponentsWindowsModeling, computer aided design, rapid prototyping, 3D printing
Electric Image Animation System2013-06
v9.1.0		EIAS3DmacOS, WindowsAnimation, lighting, rendering, film, television, visual 3D effects
FreeCAD2024-01-08
v 0.21.2		Jürgen Riegel, Werner Mayer, Yorik van HavremacOS, Windows, unix, LinuxCAD, FEA with Calculix, Python scripting, parametric design, robot simulation, CAM, BIM, import and export
form-Z pro/jr/free2020-02-?
9.0.2		Autodessys, Inc.macOS, WindowsAnimation, modeling, lighting, rendering, fabricating, set design
Hexagon2018-02-16
2.5.2.109		Daz 3DWindows, macOSSubdivision modeling, UV mapping
HiCAD2017-02-13
v HiCAD 2017		ISD Software und SystemeWindows2D/3D modeling, computer aided design, Automatic drawing generation, BIM, animation, HELiOS PDM integration, API scripting
Houdini2024-05-31
v 20.5		Side Effects SoftwareWindows, macOS, LinuxAnimation, lighting, modeling, visual 3D effects
iClone2019-12-17
v 7.71.3626.1		ReallusionWindowsAnimation, film and television previz, videogame asset creation, lighting, visual 3D effects
Inventor2021-01
v 2021.2.1		AutodeskWindowsModeling, computer aided design, rapid prototyping, 3D printing
LightWave 3D2020-08-07
v 2020.0.2		LightWave DigitalmacOS, Windows, Amiga OSModeling, animation, lighting, rendering, film and television previz, videogame asset creation
MASSIVE
v 3.5		Massive SoftwareWindows, LinuxArtificial intelligence in models
Maya2024-08-13
v 2025.2		AutodeskWindows, macOS, LinuxModeling, NURBS modeling sculpting, rigging, skinning, retargeting, animation, lighting, rendering, Bifrost fluids, Python scripting, Bifrost ocean simulation system, UV mapping, MASH procedural effects, time and graph editor, Arnold renderer, color management polygon modeling, visual 3D effects
Metasequoia2022-12-23
4.8.4b		tetraface Inc.Windows, macOSModeling
Modo2022-06-21
16v2		The FoundrymacOS, Windows, LinuxModeling, animation, rendering
Mudbox2022-04-18
2023		AutodeskmacOS, Windows, LinuxLighting, sculpting
OpenSCAD2021-01-31
v 2021.01		Marius Kintel, Claire WolfmacOS, Windows, Unix, LinuxCAD, scripting, parametric design, CSG
PTC Creo 2020
v 7.0		PTCWindows, HP-UX, UnixModeling, computer aided design
Remo 3D2025-09-10
v 3.2.1		RemographWindows, LinuxModeling, virtual reality, real-time modeling, video game creation, computer aided design
Rhinoceros 3D2020-12-08
v 7		McNeelWindows, macOSModeling, computer aided design, scripting with Grasshopper, many plug-in for simulation, CAM, BIM, rendering, and more
Salome2020-12-01
v 9.6		Open Cascade EDF CEAWindows, Unix, LinuxCAD, scripting, parametric design, CSG, meshing, pre-post for CAE
Shade 3D2022-11-08
v 23.1		macOS, WindowsModeling, computer aided design, rendering, animation
Silo2022-11-03
v 2023.0		NevercentermacOS, WindowsModeling
Tekla Structures2024-09-13
v 2024 SR 4.1		TeklaWindows3D modeling, reporting, 2D drawings, 3D drawings, CAD, CAM, BIM
SketchUp Pro2021-01-05
v 21.0.1
v 16.1.1450
v 20.0 		Trimble NavigationmacOS, WindowsModeling, computer aided design
Solid Edge2020-06-?
2021 ST13		Siemens Digital Industries SoftwareWindowsComputer aided design
SolidWorks2022-07-11
v SolidWorks 2022 SP3.1		Dassault SystèmesWindowsComputer aided design
SpaceClaim2020-08-08
v 2020.R2		AnsysWindowsComputer aided design
Verto Studio 3D2021-02-12
v2.5.0		Michael L. FarrellmacOS, iOSMobile modeling, texture mapping, lighting
Wings 3D2020-12-20
v 2.2.6		Dan Gudmundsson macOS, Windows, BSD, LinuxModeling, sculpting, UV mapping
ZBrush2022-02-07
v 2022.0.5		MaxonmacOS, WindowsModeling, texturing, lighting, sculpting, rendering

Inactive software

There are many discontinued software applications.
ApplicationLatest release date
and version		DeveloperPlatformsMain usesLicense
Bryce2010-12-23
7.1.0.109		Daz 3DWindows, macOS Animation, landscape modeling, fractal geometry
Clara.ioredesigned in 2015-03-31ExocortexMozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet ExplorerModeling, animation, rendering
E-on Vue2021-12-09
v 2021.2		E-on Software macOS, WindowsAnimation, landscape modeling, lighting
POV-Ray2013-11-09
v3.7.0		The POV-TeammacOS, Windows, Linux, AmigaOSLighting, visual 3D effects
SketchUp Make2017-11-14
v 18.0.16975
v 18.0.16976 		Trimble NavigationmacOS, WindowsModeling, computer aided design
Softimage2014-04-14
"2015" 		AutodeskWindows, LinuxModeling, animation, video game creation, lighting, rendering, visual 3D effects
solidThinking Evolve ?-?
v 9.0		Altair EngineeringmacOS, WindowsModeling
trueSpace2009-05-25
v 7.61		Caligari CorporationWindows, AmigaOSAnimation, modeling
VistaPro2005
v 4.2		Hypercube Engineering, Monkey Byte DevelopmentWindowsLandscape 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.
NameWindowsmacOSLinuxUnixBSDiOSAndroidOther
3ds Max
AC3D
Art of IllusionJava virtual machine
AutoCAD
Blender
Carrara
Cheetah 3D
Cinema 4DAmiga OS
Clara.ioChromeOS
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
Tekla Structures
Softimage
Solid Edge
solidWorks
solidThinking
SpaceClaim
trueSpaceAmiga OS

Lookdev, Shader writing

Path-tracing rendering

ApplicationMIPMAP
generation		Adaptive tessellationInstancingCamera cullingDeep pixel renderingFisheye stereo
for fulldome		Omnidirectional stereo
for HMD		Deforming motion blur
V-Ray
RenderMan
Arnold
Houdini Karma
Blender Cycles