Although there’s a multitude of ways to create 3D models, most programs are either parametric or organic in nature. A subcategory of the latter is 3D sculpting software – programs that let you create models by manipulating objects as if they were made out of clay.
This style of modeling can be used to create sculptures, busts, animals, and other free-form designs. It lends itself well to a number of artistic applications, including game design, character animation, film, engineering, and product design.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best programs for this style of organic modeling. At the same time, many of these 3D sculpting tools also include options for painting, texturing, rendering, and even animating the sculpted model. While these features may be great for professionals, they may be too excessive for basic modeling for 3D printing.
With dozens of popular programs available, to determine the best of the best, we considered that the selections had to have a strong core feature set, they had to be easy to use (or, if they had steep learning curves, available tutorials to support learning the ropes), active community and comprehensive documentation, and good value-for-cost ratio in the case of paid options.
With these considerations in mind, let’s dive into our list!
Free
These first options are great for those just getting started or on a tight budget. Just because it’s a free program doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s inferior!
Blender
Blender is a free, open-source sculpting tool that is loved by many. With advanced sculpting functions, a video editor, character animation options, texturing controls, and more all bundled together, Blender is an impressive 3D sculpting option.
You can create 3D and 2D artwork and animation, textures, materials, smoke, fluid simulations, and more. Blender is completely free to download, use, and create with. These features make Blender one of the most popular programs.
While many users can be daunted by the complexity and scope of Blender, never fear! Blender’s active online community can assist you throughout the modeling process. To get started, we recommend checking out the Blender YouTube channel or the best Blender tutorials.
- Suitable for: Intermediate and advanced users
- Key features: Texture and material creation and editing, video editing and integration, many sculpting and modeling functions
- Platforms: Windows, MacOS, Linux
Meshmixer
Meshmixer is a popular modeling tool from Autodesk. Known as the “Photoshop of 3D printing”, this free 3D sculpting software packs a lot of potential beneath its deceptively simple interface. Unfortunately, as of September 2021, updates for Meshmixer stopped. Autodesk is now encouraging people to download Fusion 360 instead. Even so, it’s still one of our most-used programs.
Within Meshmixer, you’re able to manipulate basic meshes as well as mix multiple meshes to form whatever creative chimera you’re thinking of. In the image above, for instance, a user mashed together a wing mesh and a bunny mesh to create something completely new!
Perhaps the most popular feature of Meshmixer is its ability to prepare models for 3D printing. Indeed, many organic sculpting programs create models with holes and other deformities that need to be repaired before they can be 3D printed. Meshmixer can repair models, making it a popular choice for many 3D printing enthusiasts.
- Suitable for: All levels of users looking to work specifically with 3D printing meshes
- Key features: Drag and drop mesh manipulation, 3D sculpting and surface stamping, automatic mesh repair, convert meshes to solid models for 3D printing
- Platforms: Windows
Daz Studio
Daz Studio is software that can be used for 3D modeling, animation, and 3D printing. The program is free to download and the site offers numerous tutorials, onsite and live-streamed, plus an active online community.
Daz Studio features a customizable figure platform that allows the creation of any figure and offers morphing capabilities. Morphing means that you can take a figure and morph it, for instance, from a human into a science fiction character of your own design. Additionally, Daz Studio’s Filament Viewport and Render Engine can produce high-quality renders quicker than most other program’s render engines.
One unique and interesting feature in Daz Studio is “bridges”, which is essentially just a variety of plug-ins that allow you to easily transfer models. Models created in Daz Studio can be sent to other 3D software, such as Blender, Unity, Unreal, Maya, Cinema 4D, and 3ds Max.
As with so many other programs that can produce high-quality work, the learning curve with Daz Studio is a bit on the steep side. The site offers many free learning options, which makes Daz Studio an attractive way to learn 3D sculpting.
- Suitable for: Beginners to professionals
- Key features: High-speed renders, real-time design, animation, plug-ins that allow files to be exported in formats for Maya, Blender, Cinema 4D, 3ds Max, Unreal, and Unity
- Platforms: Windows, MacOS
SculptGL
If you’re unsure if the world of 3D sculpting is suitable for your needs or if you’re just beginning your sculpting journey, then SculptGL is a program worth checking out. It’s one of the only free 3D modeling programs that doesn’t require signing up or downloading, which makes it great for those looking to experiment with 3D sculpting.
Given its limited feature set, most users will find SculptGL relatively simple to work with. At the same time, it’ll be hard to create highly complex models with such limited options, if that’s what you’re looking for.
SculptGL is also completely browser-based, meaning that you won’t have to download any software to run it. However, you will need a fast and stable internet connection for the best results.
- Suitable for: Beginners looking to experiment with 3D modeling
- Key features: Basic rendering, topology, sculpting, painting features
- Platforms: Compatible with all major browsers
Paid
This last bunch of software options can get somewhat pricy, but you will get a pro-level 3D sculpting and modeling tool. To start off, we’ll touch on a few programs with generous free or low-cost avenues for small operations.
SelfCAD
Despite being relatively new to the sculpting market, SelfCAD is a versatile program with a number of features geared specifically towards 3D printing. It offers mesh modeling, sculpting, and traditional 3D sketching tools, as well as the onboard repair and slicing of models for 3D printing.
The program can be run from the browser or as a desktop program. Keep in mind that you’ll need a fast and stable internet connection for the best results on the browser-based option.
For beginners, SelfCAD comes in a free version that includes drawing and sketching, slicing, and file import and export. However, it lacks the key sculpting and mesh modeling tools. That said, users can pay around $15/month to unlock those tools, image to 3D model conversion, and a variety of other features. There’s a 10-day free trial of the full version for those who want to give it a spin before committing.
- Suitable for: Beginner and intermediate users looking to get started with 3D modeling
- Key features: Integrated slicing and model repair, 3D sketching and 3D sculpting tools, importing and exporting in a number of file formats
- Platforms: Compatible with all major browsers; Windows, MacOS
- Price: Limited hobbyist version is free, subscriptions for the full version start at ~$15/month (billed annually), student discounts are available
3DCoat
If you’re looking for a new approach to 3D modeling, 3DCoat might be the software for you! Unlike traditional 3D sculpting, 3DCoat offers “voxel sculpting”, which they claim allows for greater flexibility, versatility, and speed while modeling.
In addition to voxel sculpting, there are also topology, PBR texturing, and UV tools that round out this advanced-level software. Although it may seem intimidating to beginners, 3DCoat offers lots of documentation and tutorials to get you started.
If you’re solely interested in creating models for 3D printing, the company behind 3DCoat also offers 3DCoatPrint for free. Unlike those created in typical modeling software, parts created in 3DCoatPrint are optimized for 3D printing from the get-go. This is great for those focusing on 3D printing applications, although the feature set is relatively basic, lacking rendering and shading tools, for example.
- Suitable for: Intermediate and advanced users looking for a flexible solution that isn’t too expensive
- Key features: Voxel sculpting, UV maps, advanced texturing tools
- Platforms: Windows, MacOS, Linux
- Price: 3DCoatPrint is free; various plans for 3DCoat available with subscriptions starting at ~$23 per month and a perpetual license for ~$410
ZBrush
Among the most popular choices on our list is ZBrush. You’d be hard-pressed to find a list of the best 3D sculpting software that doesn’t include this versatile option. Its multitude of unique and powerful features makes it suitable for everyone, from prosumers to professionals.
With a price tag of nearly $360 for a yearly subscription, ZBrush may not be the first choice for the average consumer. However, its all-in-one mesh generation, mesh detailing, painting, and rendering workflow is virtually unparalleled in the industry. The large community and wide discussion surrounding ZBrush is an added bonus, but it might not be as useful to a hobbyist looking to make something for fun.
As such, unless you know for sure that you’ll need ZBrush’s advanced feature set, you’re better off with one of the other options from the same company: ZBrushCoreMini and ZBrushCore. ZBrushCoreMini is a free, relatively basic software for those looking to experiment with 3D sculpting. For more advanced users that don’t need all of the bells and whistles of ZBrush, ZBrushCore offers many of ZBrush’s basic features for ~$10/month.
- Suitable for: Professional users focused on 3D modeling
- Key features: All-in-one mesh generation, mesh detailing, painting and texturing, rendering
- Platforms: Windows, MacOS
- Price: The standard subscription starts at ~$30 per month (billed annually), more basic programs like ZBrushCore are available for a discounted rate
Maya
For anyone interested in professional sculpting and animation, Autodesk’s Maya is a great choice. It features powerful animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering workflows, along with a recently updated 3D modeling component.
Maya can also integrate directly with Autodesk’s Mudbox (which we’ll get to next) for more fine-tuned sculpting controls. This is great for users already familiar with Mudbox who are looking to animate or film their designs in some way. Alternatively, users can sculpt within Maya itself using clay and other modeling materials. For the best results with this process, we recommend using a graphics tablet with touch controls. However, Maya can also be operated with a standard three-button mouse.
After you’re done sculpting, Maya can convert your sculpture into polygons. Once converted, you can either animate the model in Maya or export the design as a 3D file for viewing or 3D printing. However, it’s clear that Maya is geared towards those looking to do rendering, simulations, and animations with their designs rather than simply sculpting them. With a price of almost $1,900 a year, Maya only makes sense if you’re planning to use it for more than just sculpting.
- Suitable for: Professional users looking to do simulations or animations in addition to 3D modeling
- Key features: Adaptive re-meshing and re-topology, all-in-one sculpting, animation workflow
- Platforms: Windows, MacOS, Linux
- Price: Various subscription plans available with prices starting at $235 per month
Mudbox
Autodesk’s name appears throughout this list. The company has been a leader in the modeling industry since its founding, and their Mudbox software is no exception.
This industry favorite can easily handle high-poly modeling and even offers the option of painting maps directly onto your meshes (something few comparable tools can offer). Apart from the usual 3D sculpting features, Mudbox can also pull some unique rabbits out of its hat, such as correcting topology to distribute polygonal density.
However, the biggest advantage of Mudbox may be its price. While $15/month is nothing to scoff at, it’s much more reasonable than other options with comparable feature sets on this list.
- Suitable for: 3D modeling of intermediate and professional users looking for a cheaper alternative to more expensive software
- Key features: High-poly modeling, painting maps onto meshes, dynamic tessellation, a faster workflow based on layers
- Platforms: Windows, MacOS, Linux
- Price: Various subscription plans available, with prices starting at ~$15 per month or $100 per year
Modo
For those looking to push the boundaries of 3D sculpting, Modo might be a perfect choice. It offers fast direct modeling and progressive rendering, making it great for users needing to work quickly. Its all-in-one modeling, animation, texturing, and rendering toolset is also one of the most powerful in the industry.
However, users aren’t just limited to the program’s native capabilities. Modo can integrate with a variety of third-party plug-ins and supports a number of industry formats, allowing it to fit seamlessly into your existing workflow.
With a cost of around $719/year or $89/month, Modo certainly isn’t cheap. However, it’s been praised as easier to learn than many of the other all-in-one programs on this list. If you’re looking for unmatched speed and versatility, the high price tag might be worth it – and you can always dip your toes with a free 30-day trial!
- Suitable for: Intermediate and expert users looking for a fast and flexible modeling solution
- Key features: Fast and direct modeling, flexible tool assembly system, third-party integrations
- Platforms: Windows, MacOS, Linux
- Price: ~$89/month or ~$719/year; students can apply for a free license!
Cinema 4D
Cinema 4D is a powerful tool for sculpting, rendering, and animating 3D models. Although sculpting features were added to the program in 2012, the software is primarily focused on advanced animations and rendering.
That said, the sculpting features are very powerful. Professional users will delight at Cinema 4D’s multi-resolution sculpting and advanced symmetrical sculpting options, but beginner and intermediate users may struggle with the program’s steep learning curve.
With a subscription cost of around $116 (billed monthly) or ~$980 (billed annually), Cinema 4D is also pretty expensive. While it may be a great option if you’re already comfortable working with Cinema 4D, its high price makes it inaccessible to the vast majority of users.
- Suitable for: Advanced users looking to integrate 3D modeling into their production workflow
- Key features: Complex rendering tools, advanced symmetry options, a variety of brushes and stencils, a powerful animation workflow
- Platforms: Windows, MacOS
- Price: Subscriptions start at ~$82/month (billed annually) and includes the Redshift renderer
Houdini
Houdini is a high-end program that has been used to produce effects in many major motion pictures. For example, if you were blown away by the effects in Encanto, Houdini was the magician. It’s a program that’s designed for professional use, though a free Apprentice version is offered. The site also has tutorials, learning paths, demos, and talks and webinars.
Houdini has features galore. It has direct modeling through the viewport, terrain generation, volumes and clouds, hair and fur, simulations for smoke and fire, fluids, destruction, cloth, and a grain simulator for sand and snow. The program even has a toolset for creating simulated crowds.
It should be noted that, while Houdini can create absolutely amazing 3D artwork, 3D sculpting is not its main use. More often, it’s used for simulating the moving particles that go into many animations.
Obviously, with so many features and the capabilities to produce AAA-quality work, there’s a steep learning curve. If you’re interested in Houdini, then definitely try it out. Don’t be intimidated and just be patient. A good path to learning Houdini might be trying the Apprentice version, which offers an almost complete version of the software but with limited rendering and export capabilities. It should be noted that the different subscriptions depend on revenue and intended use, so they’re all worth checking out!
- Suitable for: Professionals
- Key features: Great VFX simulations and its nodal workflow offers flexibility and control
- Platforms: Windows, MacOS, Linux
- Price: Houdini Apprentice is free and the Indie version costs ~$270/year, with more comprehensive licenses available for additional costs
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