Which software to use?
As a followup post to my “tips for starting artists” post. Another question beginner artists often give me is. Which software should I use?
Instead of giving you a biased “use this or that” answer. I wanted to give a short overview of what is currently out there and what is used the most.
It is recommended to try different tools during your path as a 3D artist. Software is a tool. If your school or studio uses one, stick with that for a year or two till you have a good foundation of it. Then switch to others to learn how they work. Each tool has its pros and cons, there is none that is best.
Autodesk Maya:
Autodesk 3D Studio Max:
The Foundry Modo:
Blender:
Pixologic Zbrush:
Adobe Photoshop:
Substance Painter:
Substance Designer:
Marmoset Toolbag:
Unity 3D:
Epic Unreal Engine:
A powerhouse compared to Unity. Amazing rendering and features. But also bulkier and slower to work with. Has a longer learning curve compared to Unity and you need more technical know-how to get correct results. A solid triple-A game engine that is available for the public.
Other tools worth knowing about:
These are less common, have a specific need, or are not being developed anymore. But might still be good to look into.
– SimplyGon – 3D asset optimization
– Marvelous Designer – Cloth creator
– xNormal
– 3D Coat
– Roadkill – UV unwrapping
– Ultimate Unwrap 3D
– UVLayout
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