Discover the best free 3D drawing programs . A complete tutorial on 3D design, graphics and drawing software.
Making the first three-dimensional drawing is a small satisfaction that can continue with much more important projects. Perhaps you are a beginner with 3D modeling and would like to approach this sector gradually, without running into a wall of complex information to decipher and then only wasting time.
Although following a three-dimensional graphics course could help you accelerate your skills in this regard, in these lines we will advise you on how to start 3D drawings with dedicated software, some extremely simple to master, others that require a little effort but which offer additional features.
There are lots of software on the market, both free and paid, that allow you to create a 3D design from scratch, let’s see which ones are the most suitable for designing a house .
Index
- What program to use to draw in 3D
- Blender 3D
- SketchUp
- Autodesk Maya 3D
- Rhinoceros 3D
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- 3D Studio MAX
- Paint 3D
- Other 3D drawing programs
What program to use to draw in 3D
However, choosing a software for your 3D designs is not as simple as it may seem, some of these are easily accessible even to those who have never approached the world of three- dimensional modeling , others are necessarily indicated for those who already have a basic knowledge . In the following lines we will recommend both the first and the second type.
Blender 3D
Among the free programs for 3D drawing, there is certainly Blender 3D , a solution that you can install both on your Windows PC and on Linux and macOS. Its fame is given not only by the fact that it is free, but also by the many functions it can guarantee and by the plugins that can be installed to increase its performance.
To download the program, all you have to do is go to the official Internet page and choose the operating system on which you want to install it. Once the file has been downloaded you will need to double click on it with the left mouse button and follow the installation guide. Accept the terms of the contract and you will find yourself in front of the three-dimensional screen, with a central cube and the dashboards on the right and on the left.
Read the Blender 3D tutorial .
SketchUp
Very probably Blender 3D might seem a little difficult at first, so many commands on the screen and the difficulty of understanding how to move in space are certainly not suitable for a person who has never approached three-dimensional drawing . A much more intuitive program is certainly SketchUp , available for both Windows and macOS operating systems .
This application allows you to create your projects from scratch and project them onto the screen already in three dimensions. It is currently available in different versions, both paid and free , as you can imagine in the paid version you will unlock all the functions, such as plugins , geolocation and new materials that you can add to your drawings.
Read the SketchUp tutorial .
Autodesk Maya 3D
You have surely heard of the Autodesk company in the field of drawings, in fact, this well-known company has created one of the most used programs by engineers and architects: AutoCAD . In addition to AutoCAD, Autodesk has created an infinite number of interesting solutions for drawing in 3D, one of all is Maya 3D . Also in this case you can download the software on both Windows and macOS , but we anticipate that it is a professional program, aimed not only at modeling but also at 3D animation .
Usually the program is paid, but if you are a student or a teacher, then you can download it for free. In the condition that you were a user without these features, you could always take advantage of the 30-day free trial .
Read the Maya 3D tutorial .
Rhinoceros 3D
One of the programs that might surprise you with its ease of use and simplified interface is Rhinoceros , also known as Rhino 3D or Rhino . This application allows you to model your CAD files quickly and to be able to modify their characteristics using the tools available.
Aesthetically it could remind you a bit of AutoCAD, in fact, the setup is the same, but with much simpler and more intuitive commands. Available for both macOS and Windows , it is the ideal solution if you already use other 3D graphics programs, CAD formats are its strong point.
Read the Rhinoceros tutorial .
Autodesk AutoCAD
We’ve mentioned Autodesk AutoCAD several times , because it’s probably the best known software in the world, but you’ve probably noticed the 2D and not the 3D drafting. You may not know that AutoCAD also has a three-dimensional interface , where you can work with and shape the same files created in two dimensions to make them three-dimensional.
Since it is a professional program, you will need a PC equipped with some hardware, although for 2D drawings you would not have many problems even on older machines, in 3D you will have to invest in at least 16GB of RAM memory and a dedicated card . Currently Autodesk AutoCAD is available for Windows and macOS for a fee, but if you were a student you could download it for free.
Read the AutoCAD tutorial .
3D Studio MAX
Alternative solution for professionals that could help you to make 3D drawings is surely the high software designed by Autodesk: 3D Studio MAX . Unlike the software examined so far, it also allows you to work on vectors . You will have access to a 3D vector graphics editor which, as you can imagine, opens you up to more solutions and new implementations with advanced software.
With this application you can make 3D modeling , animations , rendering and have maximum compatibility with Photoshop and Vray . Unfortunately, it’s only paid, but we’ll let you know if you need a level step.
Read the 3D Studio Max tutorial .
Paint 3D
Paint 3D is already installed by default on Windows 10 and 11, although it is considered a superficial program, it allows you to make various changes to your three-dimensional drawings. In addition to being free , it’s very versatile, but you’ll have to find it within your applications.
To draw easy 3D with this Microsoft program, click in the search bar at the bottom left and type Paint 3D , it will appear as the first solution. The interface is very easy to use.
Other 3D drawing programs
Perhaps you are a person who has already tried the software listed above in the past and would like to experience something new that can offer you different functions. To satisfy you, here are other free 3D drawing programs .
FreeCAD : if you want to approach the world of three-dimensional drawings it is certainly the right software. Indeed, you can count on a completely free software , available on Linux , Windows and macOS with which you can model your projects from scratch. Among the strengths of this program is its ability to write and read different formats.
OpenSCAD : solution for Linux , macOS and Windows this program allows you to make 3D drawings, using the three- dimensional compiler ; it has the ability to read scripts and render them in three dimensions. Don’t think of this program as a drawing editor, but rather as an advanced tool for interactive modeling.
Sweet Home 3D : Available for Windows and macOS , this program lets you draw in both two and three dimensions . In reality, the program is based on a two-dimensional drawing which will then be projected three-dimensionally in a dedicated section. If you don’t have drawing skills it might be your best bet. All you have to do is transcribe the horizontal lines, the program will create walls and stairs in 3D. It has many pre- rendered objects , very useful for speeding up graphic composition. You can download it for free or extend its furnishing elements with the paid version.
Tinkercad (Online) : this application is not a real program to install, but an online platform that allows you to create a user profile and start modeling 3D drawings directly from your web browser. Autodesk in this case has decided to make available to its users a website that is easily accessible from all over the world. You can not only model your own projects, but also take online classes .
