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Indie 3D tools

15 3d products built by independent developers and small teams.

Looking to replace something? Fusion 360 · AutoCAD · SolidWorks

ArmorPaint

Open-source 3D PBR texture painting

Standalone software for painting PBR textures onto 3D models, with node-based materials.

Paid · Windows, Mac, Linux · Website ↗

Blender

Free, open-source 3D creation suite

Open-source 3D suite for modeling, sculpting, animation, rendering, compositing, motion tracking and video editing.

Free · Mac, Windows, Linux · Website ↗

Cascadeur

Physics-assisted 3D character animation

3D animation software for keyframe character animation with AI-assisted posing and physics tools.

Free plan · Mac, Windows, Linux · Website ↗

FreeCAD

Open-source parametric 3D CAD modeler

Free parametric 3D modeler for mechanical engineering, product design and architecture.

Free · Mac, Windows, Linux · Website ↗

LibreCAD

Open-source 2D CAD application

Free 2D CAD program for technical drawings, floor plans and schematics, using the DXF format.

Free · Mac, Windows, Linux · Website ↗

Meshy

AI 3D model generator from text or images

AI tool that generates textured 3D models from text prompts or images for games, 3D printing and design.

Free plan · Web, API · Website ↗

Nomad Sculpt

3D sculpting and painting on mobile

Digital sculpting and painting app for iPad, iPhone and Android tablets, with export to common 3D formats.

Paid · iOS, Android · Website ↗

Onshape

Cloud-based CAD and product design

Browser-based parametric CAD platform with version control and real-time collaboration for product design teams.

Free plan · Web, iOS, Android · Website ↗

OpenSCAD

Script-based solid 3D CAD modeler

Free CAD software where 3D models are created by writing code, popular for parametric 3D-printable parts.

Free · Mac, Windows, Linux · Website ↗

Polycam

3D scanning with phone or photos

App for capturing real objects and spaces as 3D models using LiDAR, photogrammetry and Gaussian splats.

Free plan · iOS, Android, Web · Website ↗

QCAD

2D CAD for technical drawings

Cross-platform 2D CAD application for technical drawings such as building plans, mechanical parts and schematics.

Free plan · Mac, Windows, Linux · Website ↗

Shapr3D

3D CAD modeling for iPad, Mac and Windows

Direct-modeling CAD app built for touch, pen and mouse, used for product design and prototyping.

Free plan · iOS, Mac, Windows · Website ↗

Spline

Collaborative 3D design in the browser

Web-based 3D design tool for creating interactive 3D scenes, objects and animations for websites and apps.

Free plan · Web, Mac, Windows · Website ↗

Tripo AI

Generate 3D models from text and images

AI 3D generation service that creates meshes from text or images, with tools for retopology and rigging.

Free plan · Web, API · Website ↗

Vectary

Browser-based 3D and AR design

Online 3D design platform for creating product visualizations, configurators and AR experiences.

Free plan · Web · Website ↗

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