8 Best 3D Animation Software Free and Paid

Are you in search of some of the best 3D animation software? There are several uses of the 3D animation software creator like creating movies, creating characters, adding voice overs to the characters, etc.

The 3D animation maker has a great deal to explore, which is fun indeed. If you are familiar with 2D animation editor or someone who loves animation just for fun, you can try out the free 3D animation software.

Although you can find a great number of animation software in the market, only a few can be trusted completely. In this article, you can explore both free and the paid the best 3D animation software that are trending the popularity charts.

• Part1: Best Free 3D Animation Software
• Part2: Best Paid 3D Animation Software

Recommended 3D animation software - FilmoraPro

If you want to have more controls on 3D animation video, here we recommend using FilmoraPro.

You just need to build a white plane to easily start making 3D animation with keyframes. FilmoraPro offers six different keyframe types to let your animation become smooth and natural.

Besides, auto color correction and audio mixer will raise up your 3D animation video to a new level. You can also apply light flares effects to make 3D animation amazing. Now, free download it to have a try!

Below is a comparison table that you can find the best free 3D animation makers. Some 3D animation makers are easy to use. Take a look!

	Price	OS	Pros	Features
Blender	Free	Windows, Linux, OSX and Steam	Best 3d animation software; Active community globally	Powerful rendering support
Wings 3D	Free	Windows, Linux and Mac	Easy 3d animation software; Open source and completely free	Its interface is customizable
K3-D	Free	GNU/Linux, MacOS X, FreeBSD, Windows	Intuitive 3d animation maker; Node-based visualization pipeline	Endless redo feature
Source Filmmaker	Free	Windows	Any games can be used in this animation maker	Game lovers will like it
	$1,050/year	Windows, Mac	Time Editor to edit animation faster; You can collect motion capture data	Easy to use Motion graphics
Cinema 4D	$1,647	Windows, Mac	Intuitive interface to make 3d animation	Fluid workflow to start editing for beginners
Mixamo	$1,500/year	Windows, Mac	Vivid and high-quality animated 3D characters	Belong to adobe family
Houdini	$1,995/year	Windows, Mac	Powerful VEX to make excellent 3D animations	Quick guide for learners

Part 1: Best Free 3D Animation Software

1. Blender

An open-source professional free 3D animation software, Blender is used in hosting a range of applications like visual effects, animated feature films, video games and more. The Blender supports the entire 3D tree which includes features like, rigging, modeling, animating, simulating, compositing, rendering, and tracking motion. The features of Blender are-

• CPU, GPU, VR rendering support
• Masking and textured brushes for 3D painting
• Add-ons and customized tools with Python scripting
• Bridge fill, edge slide, grid, inset
• Both manual and auto tracking
• Camera restoration is powerful
• Curve editor and dope sheets
• Customize layout and interface

2. Wings 3D

An easy-to-use, unconventional sector modeler, Wings 3D is a powerful 3D animation software. Whether you are a commercial 3D animation creator or a personal one, the Wings 3D is a free and an open source 3D animation software. The features of Winds 3D include-

• Customized interface
• Support for materials and lights
• Built-in AutoUV mapping facility

3. K3-D

One of the best 3D animation software, K-3D features a procedural engine plugin for its content. It is a free 3D animation software that supports polygonal modeling. A visual pipeline architecture is combined with the flexible plugins that make the K3-D software a powerful and versatile tool. The features include-

• Consistent and intuitive
• Consist of basic tools for animation, patches, curves and NURVS
• Parametric work flow
• Can be run on Windows, OS X, Linux and FreeBSD

4. Source Filmmaker

This 3D animation software lets you make a movie inside the game engine Source. Wondering how? It is because whatever assets are present in the game, the Source Filmmaker uses it. So, the assets of the game are used by SFM in the film and vice versa. The features of this movie-making tool includes-

• Renders power of a modern gaming PC
• Whatever you see in the game is what you get in the movie
• Completely free to download
• Manages entire workflow needed to make a movie into one single system
• Virtual movie set with lights, actors, props and cameras
• Create your own movies and add features as per your requirement

Part 2: Best Paid 3D Animation Software

5. Maya

If you wish to create or develop games, 3D scenes, movies, or people, Maya is definitely one of the best 3D animation software tool available. Although a paid software, Maya 3D animation creator does complete justice to its various features of coloring, animating, and modeling.

Maya LT - Create 3D characters and environments for your indie game with a more cost-effective tool based on production-proven 3D products. Buy now! The features are-

• 30 days free trial
• Uncomplicated software
• Create complex technical effects
• High-level animation edits
• Perfect accuracy and control
• Create flying logos, titles sequences, branding, etc.
• Higher performance in high fidelity environment

6. Cinema 4D

A faster 3D animation software tool than Maya, Cinema 4D offers a gentle curve for learning but, does not cover all like Maya. The high speed feature makes the Cinema 4D software desirable in the television, advertisements, and various motion graphics. The features are-

• Extensive library of preset scenes, material, and objects
• Develop concepts without time modeling
• Dissect complete scenes
• Customized with a huge range of assets

7. Mixamo

With a straightforward and faster workflow, the Mixamo 3D software’s newest user experience and interface makes it too easy to find, create, organize and share assets and animation instantly. The features of this 3D animation software include-

• User experience is streamlined
• Fully customizable animation packs
• Faster and accurate search function
• Download multiple animations at one go
• Fast character and animation browsing

8. Houdini

Developed by the Toronto based Side Effects Software, Houdini covers every major part that a 3D animation software should do. This 3D animation maker was adapted by PRISMS group of procedural generation software tools. The keen focus on the procedural generation by Houdini differentiates it from other 3D animation creator. The features of this 3D animation software are-

• Powerful and accessible 3D animation experience
• Rigging animate characters
• Add Character FX like fur, hair, etc.
• Time-space motion path handles
• Import export to a range of formats
• Robust built-in rendering solution

Conclusion

This is the list of the free and paid the best 3D animation software. So, whenever you are confused and need any assistance regarding 3D animation software, go through this content and you will find the right solution. Undoubtedly, FilmoraPro is one of the best tools for 3D animation. With a range of features like ease of interface access, preset animation effects, multiple tracks to add various videos, and more makes a complete package to ensure a great 3D animation software usage tool. Just a little trial and error can make you perfect.