Prana Studios Alternatives

Blender is a 3D and open-source application for design animations and graphs. It is best for scientists, students, experts, VFX experts, game artists, modders, and many others. Blender is a free and open-source application used for any purpose.

It is quite simple and easy to use and offers a massive range of new tools that helps users to create high-quality animations or graphics without any limitation. Whatever you create by using the Blender is your property, and Blender will never charge for it.

Blender lets users do any artwork, either it is images, movies, blend files, or any other type of data files; all can be controlled on the Blender. The stunning features of Blender are photorealistic rendering, fast modeling, fast rigging, animation toolset, fast UV unwrapping, full compositor, game creation, simulations, etc.

Sculptris is a virtual sculpting tool designed for beginners to experts. It comes for entering into the world of digital sculpting and involving yourself to create the best products. The two main functions are the availability of 3D sculpting and 3D painting in addition to others. Sculptris is developed on the concept of modeling clay, and its focus is entirely on the same idea.

Sculptris lets designers and artists pull, pinch, push, and twist the virtual clay to make what they want. The other best thing about Sculptris is its user-friendly relation external environment, and that is the import of 3D meshed (.obj) into the Sculptris for further detailing generation normal and displacement maps.

Sculpting, dynamic tessellation, UV texture painting, and cavity painting are its primary functions. The list of technical features includes easy-to-use, ZBrush navigation controls, free moving navigation, hotkeys toggled on/off the system, various plugins for advanced projects, immersive interface, optimizing brushes, etc.

ShapeShop is an advanced and professional 3D design and modeling application that comes with an easy-to-use and user-friendly interface. It enables users to create sketch-based shape creation and editing tools to translate the ideas into a 3D shape.

ShapeShop is a sketch-based shape creation and editing tool that lets designers and artists transform their virtual idea into a 3D form. The best about ShapeShop is that it has a drag and drop system that makes the texturing simpler as compared to other programs. The advanced technology used by ShapeShop is the state-of-the-art technology that enables the designers to drag-and-drop the 3D parts directly to assemble a seamless and smooth surface quickly.

The involvement of procedural modeling means that the user can easily create the meshes at any resolution they need, like NURBS or SubDs. The advanced decal texturing tools of ShapeShop also supports the simple drag-and-drop interaction as well.

Misfit Model 3D is a 3D model editor that operates with triangle-based models. It can easily support the various multi-level undo, simple texturing, batch processing, skeletal animations, image filtering, and many more functions. Misfit Model 3D supports multiple file formats, including Misfit MM3D, Milkshape MS3D, Quake MD2, Quake MD3, COB, and some others.

The feature list of Misfit Model 3D includes multiplatform applications, availability of up to 9 Orthographic canvas & 3D perspective viewports, viewport zoom & pan, a comprehensive plugin system for adding more tools, commands, and models, etc.

It also allows to create rectangles, cubes, ellipsoids, cylinders, apply materials & skins to models, alpha blending system, native support for PCX & TGA files and texture-mapped element can clamp at the edges or wrap; skeletal animations, frame animations, multiple named animations of both kinds, a system for converting skeletal animations into frame animations, etc.

Sketchfab is a web-based platform for creating and sharing 3D content. It provides a 3D model viewer based on the technology of WebGL that ultimately enables users to display 3D models on a desktop or mobile web page. Sketchfab is a platform of over 400,000 models.

The list of available tens of thousands of 3D models includes 3D scans, 3D printable, animal, architecture, characters, objects, science, scenes, engineering & technology, vegetal, vehicles, and many more. Sketchfab is one of the best platforms where you can upload, publish, and share 3D models with others. Sketchfab also lets designers and artists embed the interactive 3D files.

Sketchfab is available in three plans, mainly free, pro, and business. The good news is that the basic plan of Sketchfab enables users to upload unlimited models. Email support is also available in the free model. The other two plans include more advanced features.

MeshMixer is a designing application for giving your virtual idea with solid shape. It lets designers transform their boring stuff into 3D stuff. MeshMixer is a multiplatform 3D designing application that is available for Mac OS X, Windows (32 & 64 bit), and Ubuntu Linux 64-bit.

Basic designing tools like selection, drag & drop, filling, smoothing, making parts, basic controls & hotkeys, volume brush tools, etc., are also part of the MeshMixer. The software comes with a simple editor full of new tools that help you efficiently design any design quickly and easily.

Its most prominent features include pivot system, 3D design option in file menu, texture support, vertex color painting, duplicating linked pivots, new create modes, incorporation of 3D hubs, and ability to add an alternate proxy server. The solution also offers texture maps, create pivot tools, transform tools, align tools, pivot-to-pivot snapping, adaptivity settings, anti-aliased rendering, support structure generation, multi-user installations, etc.

SculptGL is a WebGL sculpting application that is powered by JavaScript. It is a web sculpting application for sculpting 3D models in browsers and publishing them as well. The dashboard of SculptGL includes files import & export system, scene, history, background, camera, language, extra UI, rendering, topology, sculpting & painting, and much more.

SculptGL made a fork of the old SculptGL version with a new design. Camera tools in SculptGL include projection, fov (for perspective), camera mode, and camera pivot on picking. The rendering tools include shader, flat shading, show wireframe, curvature, exposure environment, environment texture, and madcap texture.

The other miscellaneous tools are five international languages, show mesh online, outline color, show grid, scale and center mesh at import, show symmetry line, Wacom plugin, shortcuts, and much more.

SharpConstruct is a 3D modeling application designed to enable users to create and develop polygon models in real-time. The best is that it lets users create model organic shapes. Most of the tools integrated into SharpConstruct are based on the technology of ZBrush.

The software was initially developed for Linux/GNU, but now it is available for Windows as well. It is a free 3D modeling application and licensed under the GPL. The best about SharpConstruct is that it is straightforward to perform regular 3D programs as compared to other 3D modeling applications.

SharpConstruct works as advanced sculpting than conventional modeling. The user of SharpConstruct can draw bugles, shapes, and pits directly on an object, smooth surfaces, pinching, and pulling the edges. SharpConstruct also supports the pressure-sensitive ritbrador providing high and more control over the creation. Users can also increase the number of polygons properly on selected parts.

3D-Coat is an application for PBR, voxel sculpting, retopology, and UV-mapping. It is used to render and enable texturing with smart and fully designed materials — 3d-coat for creating free-form organic and hard surfaced 3D models from rough ideas and scratches.

The tools let users sculpt, add polygonal topology, create UV maps, texture the resulting models with natural painting tools, and also render the static, animated, or images turntable movies. The best about 3D-Coat is that it can modify imported 3D models from various commercial 3D software products by using plugins titled App links.

Moreover, it can be converted into voxel objects or refinement and for adding more high-resolution details, UV mapping & wrapping, bump maps, specular color maps, diffuse color maps, adding textures for displacement, and much more.

Curvy 3D is a dedicated 3D modeling application for artists and designers. It is such a 3D making platform that assists both beginners and professionals in drawing 3D models, maintaining, sculpts, and much more in real-time. Curvy 3D is one of the best and easy-to-use yet powerful sculpting application for Windows for rapidly sketching natural forms direct to 3D.

The non-technical interface of Curvy 3D makes sculpting fun with speedy model development. Curvy 3D lets artists sketch, paint, and even trace. The software is a straightforward route to 3D modeling for the 3D modelers. Curvy 3D is integrated with an advanced volumetric sculpting tool that makes base mesh creation incredibly easy and straightforward.

Curvy 3D lets designers quickly draw the shapes for their model and then merge the forms to create a seamless base mesh. This feature is best for instant content creation and creates an even mesh for detailing in other modeling programs as well.

MARI is a 3D texturing and painting software integrated with the power performance tools that enable designers to handle even the most complex assets. Nowadays, challenging the world of VFX, animation, and game development, MARI is one of the best options to deal with complex projects in a high creativity environment.

The advantages of using MARI are to paint quickly & intuitively in 3D, keep the creativity flowing in a professional & creative environment, work in a user-friendly yet high-quality context, eliminate frustrating & time-consuming multiplication workflows, and enjoying seamless pipeline integration.

MARI features are painting, texture mapping, realistic interactive preview, sophisticated geometry handling, color management, and dozens of others. MARI is a multiplatform software that is available for Windows 7 or higher, Mac OS X 10.9.5 or higher, Linux 64-bit operating systems. However, MARI is also capable of working on many older and prior-generation systems, as well.

ZBrush is a digital sculpting utility that mingles 3D/2.5D modeling, texturing, and painting. It utilizes a proprietary ‘Pixel’ technology, which stores lighting, color, stuff, depth information for all objects on the screen. It is employed for producing high-resolution models to be used in games, movies, and animations by companies ranging from ILM to Electronic Arts.

ZBrush is one of the best digital sculpting tools used for creating high-resolution and high-quality models that are then used in movies, games, and animations by movie makers. It used dynamic levels of resolution to enable sculptors and designers to make local or global changes to their models.

ZBrush’s other best function is being capable of sculpting medium to high-frequency details that were otherwise traditionally painted in bump maps. ZBrush’s available features are Zmodeler, instances, details, ZBrush to key shot, other external addition, sculpting, texturing, rendering, import & export, etc.

Cheetah3D is a 3D software for modeling, rendering, and animation. It is designed initially for amateur artists, and so it focuses on offering features for originating simple 3D scenes. Its selection of attributes is narrow but aimed to add in its usefulness and simplicity. For instance, it supports a range of geometric primitives, including polygon meshes and Bezier curves.

Its aspects also offer box modeling with subdivision surfaces. Additionally, it comes with simple animation support, including spline-based camera paths and targeted objects. The utility makes use of modern rendering settings that allow for antialiasing, retraced shadows, depth of field, HDRI, ambient occlusion, caustics lighting, soft shadowing, and photon-mapped caustics.

The technical features of Cheetah3D are best modeling tools, animation system, integrated industrial strength bullet physic engine, dynamics, UV editing, rendering, global illumination, scripting, file exchange (import & export of 3D models and animations), sharing of content, easy-to-use & earn, and much more.

InkScape is a free, professional, and open source vertical graphics editor and is regarded as one of the best replacements for Autodesk 3ds Max, Adobe Illustrator, Corel DRAW, and Xara X. It is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.

It is suitable for illustrators, designers, web designers, and those who want to create vector imagery. The core features of InkScape are flexible drawing tools, broad file format compatibility, powerful text tool, Bezier and Spiro curves, free availability, suitable for all, either beginner or professional, and many more.

InkScape is one of the best software for creating and editing vector graphics, including diagrams, charts, illustrations, logos, line arts, complex paintings, and much more types of designs and artworks. The best about InkScape is that it always welcomes the files of other like products as well. That’s why InkScape is considered as an application that supports import and export for almost all formats and allows them to be edited in InkScape.

Autodesk Maya is developed and produced by Autodesk Inc. It is also known as simple Maya software and available to use on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. It includes various Maya features as well that are parallel rig evaluation, sculpting toolset, adaptive foam in Bifrost, etc. It assists the graphic designers and architects in creating challenging digital animation products.

It is integrated with the various effects, extensible CG pipeline core. The other technical features of the product are dynamics & effects, 3D animation, 3D modeling, pipeline integration, 3D rendering & imaging, etc.

Autodesk Maya is regarded as the best one 3D modeling and rendering application that can be used for creating 3D apps such as video games, animated movies, TV series, visual effects, and much more. The recent version of the Autodesk Maya is the combination of two products, and now the joint functions of Autodesk Maya are fur, fluid effects, Bifrost, classic cloth, nHair, Maya Live, nCloth, etc.

Cinema 4D is a graphic editor for professional 3D editors and artists. It can be used for modeling, materials & textures, animation, sculpting, motion tracking, lighting & rendering, etc. Cinema 4D is the hallmark of MAXON for professional 3D artists and designers.

For those artists and designers who are looking for an advanced, high-tech, and professional studio to create jaw-dropping graphics instantly, then here is the Cinema 4D that is among the priority list of the top class designers.

The technical features of Cinema 4D are full rendering & modeling, comprehensive 3D editing, easy sculpting with various sculpting tools, python, written in C++, motion tracker, integration of pipelines, import & export for materials, workflow & interface, meatball enhancements, etc. Cinema 4D is integrated with the tools that provide the users with a comprehensive system of visualizing & broadcast, advanced character tools including a physics engine, client network for rendering, hair, and many more.

K-3D is a graphics tool that offers seven different tools for designers. It is a free 3D modeling and animation tool for Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, and Mac OS X. The interface of K-3D is straightforward and user-friendly that is very easy to understand and lets the professional and beginners do their task quickly and effectively.

It features a plug-in oriented procedural engine for all its content, making it a powerful package for editing. The other technical features of K-3D are multi-platform, workflow, viewing, modeling, animation, materials & textures, scripting, compositing, supported formats, etc.

In addition to the above features, then there is a comprehensive system for procedural and parametric workflows. The properties of K-3D can be adjusted interactively, and results appear immediately. The powerful and node-based visualization pipeline system of K-3D lets designers more possibilities as compared to the traditional modifiers and designing tools. K-3D gives the freedom to users to create combinations.

Carrara is an advanced and professional 3D computer graphics software integrated with those professional tools that assist the artists during editing, posing, nature modeling, animation, rendering, and texturing. The best about Carrara is that it is also an expert in dealing with dynamic hair & fur simulations, soft & rigid body dynamics, and particle effects. The other thing that makes the Carrara a choice for designers and artists is its support system for third party add-ons and plugins that make an addition to its default tools and features.

The list of available features in Carrara includes availability for Windows & Mac OS X, multi-threading system, bullet physics library, native DSON importer, editing of posed meshes, native AutoFit, sequencer, keyframing, animation tools, animation commands, general weight mapped figures, legacy parametric figures, keyboard shortcuts, 3D paint & UV editing/unfolding, vertex & symmetrical modeling, etc.

BodyPaint 3D is a 3D painting tool by MAXON used for creating high-tech and professional-level unique sculptures and textures. The hassle-free texturing system lets designers and artists create quickly paint highly detailed textures directly on the 3D objects.

Such an excellent platform that is integrated with a comprehensive pack of sculpting tools that are for the convenience of users to make them able to transform a simple object into a detailed work of art. BodyPaint 3D is considered as the best 3D product because of its advanced texturing tools that include a variety of image editing tools, brushes, selection tools, erasers, filters, etc.

In addition to its default texturing tools, BodyPaint 3D can even utilize the Adobe Photoshop .abr brushes. Then there is a projection maintaining system that has kicked off the need to spend a lot of time on creating perfect UV maps. Paint whatever you like, and view it on the 3D model, apply the projection, and then BodyPaint 3D will automatically adjust the painting.

MODO is a next generation 3D content creator used for subdivision surface modeling, 3D painting, animation, sculpting, and rendering. It is a multiplatform application that is available for MS Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X operating system. Among various features, key modeling, key animation, and critical rendering are the main features.

MODO is regarded as the best solution to design exploration, video game content, character animation, and creating high-quality and high-tech advertising images. The solution has made the creation of digital content and designs easy and straightforward. MODO lets the designers and artists to freely explore the tools of MODO and maximize the quality of output.

The features of MODO are animation tools, presets system, rendering system, UVing, sculpting, rigging, painting, modeling, collaboration & customization, hair & fur, effects, retopology tools, tool pipe for creating customized tools, mesh instancing, dynamic parenting, layerable deformers, morph target animation, extensive file input & output, customizable user interface, etc.

FaceGen is a program for creating realistic 3D human faces by using one or more than one photograph. It lets designers adjust the gender, age, race, and many other identities of a genuine person by using the FaceGen. The Singular Inversions develop this 3D modeling middleware and 3D face-generating application.

FaceGen is available in the free and paid version. The free version includes almost the same features as of paid version except for some high level and advanced importing, exporting, and editing tools. FaceGen is used in crime branches for making the models of suspects.

The best about FaceGen is its ability to render accurate 3D models of people with far more options to choose from to create precise and detailed images. In addition to creating 3D faces of people and suspects, FaceGen is also used for research purposes in social psychology.

3DCrafter, formerly known as 3D Canvas, is a 3D modeling and animation software designed and produced by the Amabilis Software. It is available for Windows operating system in three different versions, mainly – 3DCrafter, 3DCrafter Plus, and 3DCrafter Professional. 3DCrafter is an entirely free product.

However, the remaining 3DCrafter Plus and 3DCrafter Professional are paid versions. Most of the features of the Plus and Pro version are also part of 3DCrafter. It also offers import/export and other additional functions that are part of the Plus and Pro version only.

The best about 3DCrafter is that its interface is based on the drag and drop interface, making it a user-friendly 3D animation and modeling application. 3DCrafter is best for those who want to familiar with their self with 3D animation and modeling. 3DCrafter Plus is for those who want to create detailed models or create low-polygon models for game development. 3DCrafter Pro is an advanced version for full-fledged 3D modeling and animation.

Wings 3D is a free and open-source subdivision modeler and 3D computer graphics tool that is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X operating systems. It can be used to texture and model the low to mid-range polygon models. However, there is no support for animation in Wings 3D. It is integrated with rendering facilities and can export the files to other external rendering programs such as YafRay and POV-Ray.

The best about Wings 3D is that it can be used as a standalone application or in collaboration with other software like Blender for better rendering and animation. It is an entirely free application used for both personal and commercial purposes without any legal requirement.

The technical features of Wings 3D are selection & modeling tools, modeling tool support for magnet & vector operations, customizable hotkeys & interface, tweak mode for quick adjustments to a mesh, AutoUV mapping, Ngon mesh support, a comprehensive plugin infrastructure, etc.

Sketchup, formerly known as Google Sketchup, is a PC-based 3D modeling platform used for performing various types of architectural, interior design film, video game design, civil & mechanical engineering, and much more designing.

There are three different versions, such as simple Sketchup that is free, and the other two are paid versions, namely – Sketchup Makeup and Sketchup Pro. It is a platform where every type of designer finds almost all tools for their creative works. Sketchup is the library of several 3D models.

The other best thing about Sketchup is that in addition to being a customized application, it also supports various third-party add-ons and plug-ins that further extend the features and functions of Sketchup.

Either it is about creating 2D documents or 3D models, Sketchup is perfect for all. There is an online library of free model assemblies in Sketchup that includes doors, windows, automobiles, and much more. The user can also contribute by uploading their models.

Autodesk Mudbox is a 3D sculpting and painting tool for Windows platforms designed by Autodesk. It is a computer-based high-resolution digital sculpting, texture, painting, and displacement platform for normal map creation and other designing purposes.

Integrated with the latest and advanced proven technologies, Autodesk Mudbox enables users to easily create high-resolution digital sculpting and texture maintenance. Moreover, Autodesk Mudbox can also be used as a design tool.

Most designers and developers like to use Autodesk Mudbox for their projects because of its intuitive 3D interface and environment that make them able to create movable cameras that can be bookmarked.

The other technical features of Autodesk Mudbox are the availability of 3D sculpting and painting tools, accessible workflow, best brush-based workflows, relax brush, sculpting falloff options, and professional & advanced digital sculpting toolset, etc.

Deep Paint 3D is a fantastic tool for painting and texturing 2D & 3D models instantly. The best is that it lets users transform 2D models into 3D models. Deep Paint 3D is a software for painting and texturing 2D and 3D models interactive in a 3D environment.

Deep Paint 3D works as both standalone and can be integrated with other workflows as well through plugin support for the existing DCC authoring tools and apps. The software designed for improving the quality of the video, file, or other types of interactive entertainment products.

The technical features of Deep Paint 3D are brushing cursor, print preview, stroke preview, pressure-sensitive digitalizing tablet support, export to Adobe Photoshop, splines, batch operations, lock paint layer, image stamp, and much more. Moreover, there is also an integration plugin for Adobe Photoshop that links the Deep Paint 3D with Adobe Photoshop.