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In-Depth Guide to the 5 Best 3D Product Modeling Software for Optimal Results

  • BluEnt
  • 3D Rendering
  • 22 Jun 2022
  • 5 minutes
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How can you ensure that a customized product is what your customer wants and does not get your company a one-star review on a public website?

3D product modeling is the answer. It is used not only in architecture and interior design but also in product design, game design, manufacturing, and animation.

However, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer number of product-rendering software programs available in the market. We’ve dug through the rubble and narrowed it down to the five best options.

Introduction to Product Modeling Software

3D modeling is booming.

Rising competition has pressured organizations to adopt 3D models and offer better, more accurate visualizations of their products. The market for 3D rendering is expected to be valued at 9 billion USD by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 20% between 2020 and 2026.

3D rendering is used for everything from selling real estate to increasing hotel bookings. It often does this not just by producing accurate models but by eliciting strong emotions in prospective consumers.

With that, let’s cover the top 3D product modeling software that will best suit your purposes.

Top 3D Modeling Software

We have already covered great general 3D rendering software, including Revit, ArchiCAD, Rhino 3D, Maya, SketchUp, and Lumion. We have also covered the best rendering tools for interior designers, including V-Ray, Blender, and Maxwell.

Today, we’ll be showing you the pros and cons specifically of the top 3D modeling software. Note that there may be some overlap. For example, out of the ones we have already written about, Maya, Rhino 3D, and SolidWorks are also suited to product modeling and furniture rendering.

ZBrush

ZBrush is particularly good for 3D printing.

It is the top sculpting and modeling application for creating organic forms and even works well for hard-surface solid forms. It’s no wonder that it’s a popular choice for 3D printing action figures and other toys.

  • ZBrush offers a novel way of modeling. Rather than combining meshes, users can “sculpt” them like clay. This means that users can do progressive detailing, since polygon stretching is done away with. A high-res mesh is built from silhouette to minor details.

  • One of its biggest advantages is that it does not require other programs (such as Maya) to create base geometry. It is fully self-sufficient.

  • Modeling and sculpting not ambitious enough for you? ZBrush can also create UV maps and textures. This means you can achieve hyperrealism to otherwise “normal” sculptures and models with fabrics and other textures.

Pros of ZBrush

  • Excellent for 3D sculpting

  • Offers hyper-realistic modeling

  • Good for 3D printing

Cons of ZBrush

  • Steep learning curve

  • Not ideal for animation and rigging

  • Non-standard UI and menus

  • Requires graphics tablet for best results

3D Product Rendering of Two Chairs 3D product rendering of two chairs by BluEntCAD

Houdini

With a name like Houdini, you know this software will work some magic.

SideFX’s Houdini has created a wide range of 3D imagery spanning the CG and film industries. It is used by major animation studios such as Pixar, Disney, ILM, and Sony Pictures Imageworks, and not just for small projects. Frozen, Rio, and Fantasia 2000 all used Houdini.

It is no surprise, then, that Houdini comes with a vast range of features that will have you covered for every major area of 3D production.

  • If you want an outstanding job in simulation and VFX, Houdini is your choice.

  • Houdini covers 3D modeling, dynamics, animation, particles, lighting, and rendering.

  • Creation of 3D designs is made more versatile and accessible with Houdini’s plugin development, composting, and volumetrics.

  • A node-based procedural approach allows users near unprecedented control, flexibility, and power. While the nodal workflow may not suit everyone, Houdini includes more traditional tools that allow users to interact directly with the polygons.

  • Its problem-solving capacities are miles ahead of other 3D modeling software. Rewiring can be done with ease.

  • Since Houdini’s workflow can be tricky, SideFX also offers Houdini Apprentice, which is a free version of Houdini FX. It can be used by hobbyists, artists and students on non-commercial projects. Apprentice also has almost all the features of Houdini FX, so you can develop your skills at your own pace.

  • If that weren’t enough, if you’re a smaller company, an affordable option comes in the form of Houdini Indie.

Pros of Houdini

  • Industry-leading

  • Free and economical versions

  • Wide variety of plugins

  • Amazing modeling and rendering capacity

Cons of Houdini

  • Complex workflow

  • Houdini FX comes with a high price tag

  • Somewhat confusing interface

  • Steep learning curve

Daz Studio

Daz Studio is a free modeling tool that covers rendering, animation, posing, morphing, and texturing, emphasizing morphing.

  • While it is not great for creating models, Daz Studio is excellent for designers who want to assemble models or add textures, components, or colors to develop detailed 3D models.

  • Users can accomplish much by adding components to pre-existing built-in models and morphing them.

Pros of Daz Studio

  • Morph and customize realistic 3D models with free software

  • Good for realistic character design

  • Suitable for both professionals and amateurs

Cons of Daz Studio

  • Not very flexible

  • Customer support is sub-par

  • Cannot create 3D models from scratch

Product rendering white sofa 3D product rendering of a white sofa by BluEntCAD

Marvelous Designer

Need to sell clothes? Marvelous Designer is possibly the best tool for developing photorealistic leather, fur and fabric textures and meshes. Even blockbuster movies and AAA video games use the CGI clothing made in this program.

  • Marvelous Designer allows users to design and simulate 3D clothing.

  • The first official release was named CLO3D, which is today used in the apparel/fashion industry, while Marvelous Designer is used in VFX and film, games and architectural previsualization.

Pros of Marvelous Designer

  • Easy to create clothes

  • Reasonably strong community

  • Store area has free pricing

Cons of Marvelous Designer

  • Import & export files have few options

  • Software is often not upgraded

Adobe Substance 3D

Substance 3D is among the most detail-oriented and versatile platforms for 3D product modeling. It is reasonably priced considering the industry and comes in two packages: 19.99 USD (3D Designer, 3D Painter, and 3D Sampler) and 49.99 USD (all of the previous applications, plus 3D Stager).

  • Create 3D objects from scratch, export/import 3D objects, add textures and colors with hyper-realistic tones, and stage objects with various lighting settings in a choice of environments and backgrounds.

  • Users can also develop textures from real-life images and texture these over 3D objects in real time.

  • Wide variety of 3D objects and design resources. This makes product design less time-consuming and much easier.

Pros of Adobe Substance 3D

  • Reasonably priced

  • Deep brush customization

  • Supports third-party plugins

  • Versatile and powerful 3D design

  • It contains a wide variety of pre-made 3D objects

Cons of Adobe Substance 3D

  • Steep learning curve

  • Not included in Adobe All Apps Plan

Interior rendering of bedroom Interior rendering of bedroom by BluEntCAD

Conclusion

Ultimately, the best product rendering software for your company will depend on your goals and your budget. What do you think? Is there a modeling software you believe always tops the list? Let us know in the comments!

If you already know what kind of software would suit your project, the best thing to do would be to get professional 3D rendering services. BluEntCAD provides rendering services, including 3D furniture rendering and interactive walkthroughs and fly-throughs, to homebuilders, real estate developers, interior designers, architectural companies, renovators, design build contractors and remodelers.

Ready to take your business to the next level with 3D rendering services? Contact us now!

Maximum Value. Achieved.


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CAD Evangelist. "In-Depth Guide to the 5 Best 3D Product Modeling Software for Optimal Results" CAD Evangelist, Jun. 22, 2022, https://www.bluentcad.com/blog/top-3d-product-modeling-software.

CAD Evangelist. (2022, June 22). In-Depth Guide to the 5 Best 3D Product Modeling Software for Optimal Results. Retrieved from https://www.bluentcad.com/blog/top-3d-product-modeling-software

CAD Evangelist. "In-Depth Guide to the 5 Best 3D Product Modeling Software for Optimal Results" CAD Evangelist https://www.bluentcad.com/blog/top-3d-product-modeling-software (accessed June 22, 2022 ).

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