Have you wondered how animators create the craziest and most out-of-this-world characters and scenarios online? Whether it’s on a PC or a laptop, this is achieved by using sophisticated 3D animation software. While not a new field, this area of filmmaking is still somewhat exclusive. That’s because it’s not easy to learn some of this software, as it can be complex and time-consuming. It’s also tough to learn the best 3D animation software without guidance. Plus, some software is free, but many aren’t. Beginners tend to start their journey using the free 3D animation software available in the market. In this list, we’re going to explore some of the best 3D animation software, both free and paid, to give readers a better idea.

The Best 3D Animation Software

1. Maya Autodesk

Maya Autodesk’s 3D animation software is a leading software that allows users to animate, model, simulate, and render. The top-most animation studios in the world use this, including Disney. Some technologies it incorporates allow users to create procedural effects and render more complicated projects, too. It also has an efficient colour management solution that can help the user get more done faster. It’s considered a top-of-the-line solution that’s best used for high-end graphics. There’s a free trial period but then one has to pay for an annual subscription once it’s over.

2. Blender

Blender’s 3D animation software is popular, both because it has excellent features and it’s free to use. It’s an open-source creation suite that supports animation, modelling, rigging, simulation, rendering, and everything else required by an animator. It is customizable by users to create the tools they need. It supports importing and exporting files in many different formats. Blender is a favourite amongst freelancers and small groups of people. It has great high-quality tools that aren’t too tough to learn how to use.

3. Adobe After Effects

Adobe’s 3D animation software is called After Effects and it’s a motion graphics and digital VFX application. It’s a basic software but allows the user to remove many elements from the film. It has over 100 effects in its database, allows the user to preview their playback, animate titles, combine images and videos, and more. Many people consider this software user-friendly. There’s a free trial, but users will have to pay to use it long-term.

4. Maxon Cinema 4D

Cinema 4D is great for 3D artists who want something easy to use but powerful. With an intuitive and user-friendly interface, it’s a favorite amongst many. It’s a great tool for beginners and has many tutorials to help them learn it. Businesses choose Cinema 4D because it’s a reliable system and can produce high-quality work quickly. It has tools for modelling, texturing, animations, and rendering. There’s a 2-week long free trial, and then a monthly subscription fee that is around 62 Euros a month.

5. Moho

Moho is software that’s suitable for both beginners and professionals. It comes in two versions – Moho Pro13 and Moho Debut13. Moho Debut13 is a 2D animation software. It’s easy to use and fun. One must pay to use it and it doesn’t come with a free trial. Moho Pro13 is more advanced, supports 3D animation, and comes with a 30-day free trial. It’s also considerably more expensive but that’s because it’s a 3D animation software, unlike its predecessor. Both of these are easy to use, have many content add-ons, and have high-quality tools that are good for creating animations. It’s good for individuals as well as businesses.

6. KeyShot

If you want user-friendly rendering software to create cool 3D visuals, KeyShot is good for you. It supports over 35 file formats and comes with easy-to-load plugins. It’s compatible with both macOS and Windows. It has over 750 preset materials, some of which have advanced capabilities. One can experience virtual reality using this, too. Keep in mind this is a 3D rendering software and allows the user to create, iterate, and refine their concepts and designs. They can apply labels, textures, and variations to photographs. This also helps users create still images and visuals for both the web and mobile. It has a free trial period, post which one will have to purchase it.

7. Toon Boom Harmony

This software is a multi-purpose tool for efficient animation, from the drawing process to final production. It lets the user create art, animate it, and then add sounds and special effects. It can be used for important multilayer PSB and PSD files, PDF, Illustrator, bitmaps, and media files. It has a stabilizer for smooth lines, provides 3,4, and 5-point curved perspective guides, allows you to create cut-out animations and integrate it with production software. Harmony also offers both 2D and 3D integration and allows you to create 3D animations for games. It’s not free software.

Are you intrigued by this list of almost-magical software? Well, everything seems like magic when you don’t know how it works. Unravel the mysteries of animation by learning the art under some of the best teachers in the industry.

You’ll get to do this in DICE-VFS (School Of Entertainment Arts), one of the leading animation and filmmaking colleges in Mumbai. Students here get the chance to immerse themselves in animation and VFX. They learn through hands-on experience using the best industry resources to prepare them for a rewarding career.
Begin your journey in animation at DICE-VFS!