This is a list of free and open source 3D modeling software packages.

 

- Blender

Blender is the free and open source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, even video editing and game creation. Advanced users employ Blender’s API for Python scripting to customize the application and write specialized tools; often these are included in Blender’s future releases. Blender is well suited to individuals and small studios who benefit from its unified pipeline and responsive development process. Examples from many Blender-based projects are available in the showcase.

Blender is cross-platform and runs equally well on Linux, Windows, and Macintosh computers.

As a community-driven project under the GNU General Public License (GPL), the public is empowered to make small and large changes to the code base, which leads to new features, responsive bug fixes, and better usability. Blender has no price tag, but you can invest, participate, and help to advance a powerful collaborative tool: Blender is your own 3D software.

 

- Wings3D

Wings 3D is an advanced subdivision modeler that is both powerful and easy to use. Wings 3D offers a wide range of modeling tools, a customizable interface, support for lights and materials, and a built-in AutoUV mapping facility. There is no support in Wings for animation.

Wings 3D is open source and completely free for use in both personal and commercial projects.

Features:

  • Overview

  • Context sensitive interface

  • Configurable interface and hotkeys

  • Wide range of Selection and Mesh tools

  • Exports to common 3d file formats like .obj

  • UV mapper, Vertex Colors, Materials, and Lights

  • Intuitive Interface

Wings has a simple interface. Right-click menus give you easy access to common commands. These menus are context sensitive, so depending on your selection, a different menu pops up.

 

- MeshLab

Meshlab is the open source system for processing and editing 3D meshes. It provides a set of tools for editing, cleaning, healing, inspecting, rendering, texturing and converting meshes. It offers features for processing raw data produced by 3D digitization tools/devices and for preparing models for 3D printing.

Features:

  • 3D Acquisition: Aligning

  • 3D Acquisition: Reconstruction

  • 3D Acquisition: Color Mapping and Texturing

  • Cleaning 3D Models

  • Scaling, Positioning and Orienting

  • Simplification, Refinement and Remeshing

  • Measurement, and Analysis

 

- MathMod

MathMod is a mathematical modeling software that visualize and animate implicit and parametric surfaces. MathMod supports: 3D and 4D plotting and animation, OBJ output file format, Textue and pigmentation support, Noise and Turbulence effects support,Large set of scripted examples.

 

- TopMod

TopMod is a manifold mesh modeling system that includes all the work presented in our Topological Mesh Modeling papers. Using TopMod, you can find a wide variety of ways to create high genus shapes; almost all subdivision algorithms, wide variety of ways to remesh shapes, new extrusions and more. TopMod reads and writes .obj files. Therefore, it is compatible with Maya and other software that accept obj files. The figures here show 3D shapes modelled with TopMod and printed with a rapid prototyping machine.

TopMod is based on a new paradigm that allows dynamically changing the topology of 2-manifold polygonal meshes. The new paradigm always guarantees topological consistency of polygonal meshes. Based on our paradigm, by simply adding and deleting edges,handles can be created and deleted, holes can be opened or closed, polygonal meshes can be connected or disconnected. These edge insertion and edge deletion operations are highly consistent with subdivision algorithms. In particular, these operations can easily be included into a subdivision modeling system such that the topological changes and subdivision operations can be performed alternatively during model construction. TopMod demonstrates practical examples of topology changes based on this new paradigm and show that the new paradigm is convenient, effective, efficient, and friendly to subdivision surfaces.

 

- MakeHuman

MakeHuman is an open source (AGPL3) tool designed to simplify the creation of virtual humans using a Graphical User Interface, also commonly referred to as a GUI. This is a specialized branch of the more general subject of 3D modelling. The MakeHuman Team is focused on this specific branch of the broader subject in order to achieve the best possible level of quality and ease of use in that area. The ultimate goal is to be able to quickly produce a wide array of realistic virtual humans with only a few clicks of the mouse and be able to render or export them for use in other projects.

Humans are created through the manipulation of controls that allow for the blending of different human attributes to create unique 3D human characters. The controls are intended to provide the user with a simple way to create characters that give expression to the widest possible range of human forms. 

The MakeHuman project strives to provide a complete tool that allows for the management of all things needed to create realistic virtual humans. This includes some tools that have not yet been created or are in the early stages of development for things like poses, animation cycles, managing facial expressions, hair and clothes. MakeHuman also offers tools for exporting virtual humans to other software (such as the Blender 3D modeling suite) where further refinements can be made.

MakeHuman is developed by a community of programmers, artists, academics and enthusiasts interested in 3D computer models of human beings.

 

- Anim8or

Anim8or is a 3D modeling and character animation program. While it is far from a complete professional level application like 3D Studio MAX or Maya, I believe that it has enough capability to be of use to others.

 

- Seamless3D

Seamless3d is open source 3D modeling software free and available for all under the MIT license. Seamless3d is very powerful and practical 3d modelling software for anyone who wants to make quality 3d animated content for the web. 

 

- Form Z free

Form•Z free is a great way to start exploring the power of design with 3D solid modeling. This version has no restrictions for professional, academic, or home use. With form•Z free you can quickly create your own 3D solid models that can even be 3D printed. The models can also be presented using sun studies, real time rendering effects, sectioning and dimensions. form•Z free features a subset of the tools found in form•Z pro and form•Z jr with the same easy to use dynamic interface. form•Z free uses the facetted portion of the solid modeling engine found in form•Z pro. The solids data format maintains an accurate representation of 3D models which is ideal for 3D printing. form•Z free includes a self guided tutorial, on-line manual and a series of youtube videos all help you get started using 3D modeling.