3D animation tools use computer graphics to move virtual objects or characters in virtual 3-dimensional space. 3D modeling software creates 3d objects and the outer environment. Afterward, animation software gives motion to these virtual 3D objects.
This article covers the best free and paid 3D animation software available in the market with their feature comparison. This comparison will help you in the selection of the best 3d animation software for your application.
Best 3D Animation Software
| Software | Operating System | Cost | Supported Formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender |
| Free | 3ds, dae, fbx, dxf, obj, lwo, svg, ply, stl, vrml, vrml97, x3d |
| 3DS Max |
| $1700 / Year | stl, 3ds, ai, abc, ase, asm, catproduct, catpart, dem, dwg, dxf, dwf, flt, iges, ipt, jt, nx, obj, prj, prt, rvt, sat, skp, sldprt, stp, vrml, w3d xml |
| Autodesk Maya |
| 1700 / Year | ai, aiff, dae, dxf, dwg, eps, fbx, maya, mel, obj, stl |
| KeyShot |
| $1995 | .3ds, .dwg, .dxf, .3dxml, .cgr, .catpart, .c4d, .prt, .asm, .pvz, .pvs, .edz, .ed, .c3di, .ol, .ipt, .iam, .ma, .mb, .prt, .prt, .asm, .3dm, .skp, .par, .asm, .psm, .prt, .sldprt, .asm, .sldasm, .sat, .abc, .3ds, .3dxml, .dae, .fbx, .igs, .iges, .jt, .obj, .x_t, .stp, .step, .stl, .zpr |
| Cinema 4D |
| ~$120 /month | 3ds, dae, dem, dxf, dwg, x, fbx, iges, lwf, rib, skp, stl, wrl, obj |
| Motion Builder |
| 1950 /year | asf, amc, bvh, c3d, fbx, htr, tr3 |
| Unity |
| Free | .fbx, .obj., .max,.blend, .skp |
| Modo |
| $1909 | lwo, abc, obj, pdb, 3dm, dae, fbx, dxf, x3d, geo, stl |
| Clara.io | Cloud Based | Free | 3dm, 3ds, cd, dae, dgn, gf, gdf, gts, igs, kmz, lwo, rws, obj, off, ply, pm, sat, scn, skp, slc, sldprt, stp, stl, x3dv, xaml, vda, vrml, x_t, x, xgl, zpr |
| Daz 3D |
| Free | obj, fbx, dae, daz |
| Boats Animator |
| Free (Open Source) | avi, mov, mpg |
| Houdini |
| $4495 (Free Version Available) | bgeo, clip, fbx, geo, hip |
| K-3D |
| Free (Source code Available) | - |
Blender is the free and open-source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline.
This 3D animation tool comes with the following features.
- Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Free and Open Source
- 3D CAD modeling
- Rigging
- Animation
- Simulation
- Rendering
- Compositing and motion tracking
- Video editing
- 2D animation
- Python API for scripting and customization.
3ds Max is one of the best commercial animation software available in the market. It offers rich and flexible tools to create premium designs with full aesthetic control for design visualization, games, and animation. It has the following features
- Modeling and texturing
- Animation and Rendering
- Workflow and Pipeline
- Visualize high-quality architectural renderings
- Model finely detailed interiors and objects
- Bring characters and features to life with animation and VFX
Maya from Autodesk is one of the best 3D animation software with a customizable user interface. It can be used to create expensive worlds, complex characters, and dazzling effects. Autodesk Maya comes with the following features:
- Bring believable characters to life with engaging animation tools.
- Shape 3D objects and scenes with intuitive modeling tools.
- Model complex objects like fur, hair, clothing, fluids, and particles.
- Create realistic effects
- 3D models in Maya are represented by nodes that specify their relationships and attributes.
- Sophisticated CG compositing program such as Match-Mover to combine 3D rendered elements with motion data set by tracking the camera’s movement.
- Pipeline integration using Python 3.
KeyShot is a widely used visualization tool for design and engineering professionals to present new concepts, design reviews, digital prototypes, create visuals for marketing and sales teams. It comes with some of the following features and capabilities on both Mac and PC operating systems.
- Easy User Interface
- CPU Ray Tracing (with GPU Mode)
- Library for 3D Models, Materials and HDRI Environments
- Axalta Paints / Mold-Tech Textured Plastics / Pantone / RAL / CIE Lab Colors
- KeyShot Animation with Custom Motion Ease
- Curve Fade Animation
- Geometry Viewer / Geometry Editor
- NURBS Ray Tracing / Re-Tessellate
- Panoramic Camera (Cube Map, Spherical)
- Real-Time VR Rendering / Viewing
- Python Scripting
- Export to ZPR / STL / OBJ / FBX
Cinema 4D is a professional 3D modeling, simulation, rendering, and 3D animation software. Its fast, powerful, flexible, and stable toolset make 3D workflows more accessible and efficient for design, motion graphics, VFX, AR/MR/VR, game development, and all types of visualization professionals. This 3d animation software comes with the following features.
- Polygonal Parametric, and Volume Modeling
- Sculpting, poly pen, and polygon reduction
- Texturing and rendering
- Car rig, control rig, toon rig, and character animation
- Simulation and Tracking etc.
Motionbuilder is one of the best available professional 3D animation software that produces high-quality 3D character animations with pre-built moves. You can capture, edit, and playback complex animations with MotionBuilder 3D character animation software. This animation software comes with the following features.
- Create realistic character movements.
- Fine-tune character animations with production-proven tools used to manipulate motion capture data.
- Included software development kit and FBX data exchange enable easy interoperability with other 3D applications.
Unity is one of the most popular development platforms for creating 2D and 3D interactive real-time content. This 3D content is used for 2D, 3D Virtual reality, and augmented reality apps for interactive gaming, shopping, and other experiences.
Modo is a creative 3D modeling, rendering, texturing and 3D animation software used by artists to explore and develop ideas without having deep technical knowledge.
This animation software includes Polygon and subdivision surface modeling, Particle engine, and Procedural animation features.
Clara.io is a cloud-based free 3D animation, 3D modeling, and rendering software that runs in a web browser. Therefore with Clara.io you can make complex 3D models, create beautiful photorealistic renderings, and share them without installing software programs. Clara.io comes with the following features.
- Powerful Modeling tool
- VRay Cloud Rendering
- Scripting, Plugins + REST API
- Collaboration + Versioning
Daz 3D is a free 3D animation software with a 3D content marketplace where you can buy and sell your models. This animation software is preliminarily used by hobbyists. It comes with the following features.
- A smart content library of free and premium 3D content, like characters, hair, creatures, vehicles, environments etc.
- Import from Daz Studio directly into Maya, Blender, Cinema 4D, 3ds Max, Unreal & Unity.
Boats animator is easy to learn, free, and open-source stop motion animation software. It comes with the following features.
- Instantly preview your captured frames Using the instant playback feature in Boats Animator.
- The onion Skinning feature keeps the animation smooth by showing a translucent version of the last image captured.
- Boats Animator supports high-resolution frame capture, including 1080p and beyond! It’s also simple to switch between multiple connected devices for multi-camera shoots.
Houdini is a popular game development and 3D animation software that empowers artists to work freely, create multiple iterations and rapidly share workflows with colleagues. It has a node-based workflow where every action is stored in a node.
These nodes are then “wired” into networks that define a “recipe” that can be tweaked to refine the outcome and then repeated to create similar yet unique results.
K-3D is easy-to-use, open-source free animation software. It combines flexible plugins with a visualization pipeline architecture, making K-3D a versatile and powerful tool for artists.
We will keep adding more information on the best 3D animation software and its features available in the market. Please add your suggestions, comments, or questions on animation software price and features in the comment box. We suggest you also read this article on CAD vs CAM vs CAE tools.
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