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Software ReferenceEdit

Every application in one place with license, pricing, platform and tags. Topic sections show the same tables next to their tutorials.

3D Software: Free

Free and open-source 3D software.

Software Description License Tags Best For
Autodesk Project Falcon Free browser-based 3D modeler for building objects by kitbashing pre-made parts. Free Browser · Kitbashing Fast kitbashed models and first-time 3D creation
Bforartists Open-source Blender fork with a menu and toolbar driven interface. Open source Open Source · Blender Fork Blender with friendlier UI
Blender Free open-source 3D creation suite. Modeling, sculpting, animation, rendering, compositing, VFX.
See also: Learning, Community & Industry → Industry Trends 2025-2026		 Open source Open Source · Full Pipeline Full 3D pipeline, indie production
Cables.gl Node-based visual programming for browser graphics and interactive WebGL. Patch editor exports to JS. Free tier Browser · Node-Based Creative coding, interactive web visuals, projection mapping
Clavicula Intuitive and free 3D modeling software for everyone. Free
Goxel Create voxel graphics. Export to obj, pyl, png, magica voxel, qubicle. Open source
MagicaCSG SDF modeling with real-time booleans. Free SDF · Windows-only Concept design, rapid prototyping
MagicaVoxel GPU voxel editor with path tracing. Free Voxel · Path Tracing Voxel art, indie game assets
Make Human Open-source tool for making 3D characters. (blender addon) GitHub Open source Character Creation · Open Source
Mandelbulb3D (original) Free Windows app for 3D Mandelbulb fractal imaging. Free 3D fractal imaging
Mandelbulb3D (thargor6 fork) A program designed for the Windows platform for generating 3D views of different fractals.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Miscellaneous 3D Tools & Utilities		 Open source Fractals · Windows
SculptGL WebGL browser sculpting with dynamic topology. Free Browser · Dynamic Topology Quick sculpts, organic modeling
Sculptris Original free digital sculpting from Pixologic (predecessor to ZBrush Core). Free Free · Introductory Sculpt Free introductory sculpting
Sculptron GPU-based tool for sculpting animation caches and for converting mesh sequences to volumes. The software is currently available free during early development. Free Sculpting · Otoy Forum
SDF Modeler Experimental SDF-based non-destructive procedural 3D modeler. Free SDF · Non-destructive SDF modeling, procedural boolean workflows
TerreSculptor Terrain creation and editing software. It is freeware. Free
Tinkercad Browser-based CSG modeling. Free Browser · Education STEM education, 3D printing beginners
TreeIt Easy to use real time 3D tree generator for the simple creation. Free
VRoid Studio Anime-style 3D character creator. Free Anime Characters · VTuber VTubers, anime characters
Wings 3D Subdivision surface modeler. Open source Subdiv Modeling · Lightweight Polygon modeling for games

3D Software: Free Tier

Freemium 3D software with free tier available.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
Bezi Collaborative browser 3D design tool. Figma-style multiplayer editing for 3D scenes, prototypes, UI in 3D space. Free tier, Pro $12/mo Free tier Browser · Multiplayer Team 3D design, spatial UI mockups
Cascadeur AI-assisted physics-based keyframe character animation; free for non-commercial use.
See also: Software Reference → AI Motion Capture Software		 Indie $19/mo or $96/yr (rent-to-own perpetual) Free, non-commercial AI Anim · Free NC Action/fight character animation
Gravity Sketch VR-first 3D design and modeling. Cloud sync via LandingPad; iPad companion. Free personal use, Studio $35/user/mo Free tier VR · Concept Concept design, automotive, footwear, industrial design in VR
Houdini Apprentice Free learning version of Houdini.
See also: Modeling, Sculpting & Texturing → Houdini: Getting Started		 Free, non-commercial Free NC · Learning Version Learning Houdini for free
Kokraf Collaborative browser-based polygon modeling with real-time mesh editing. Free Browser · Collaborative Collaborative polygon modeling in the browser
Mush3D GPU tool for sculpting and simulating corrective fixes on animated mesh caches. Free tier, Indie $29/mo Free tier Freemium · GPU Animated mesh corrective fixes
Re:Form Browser-based 3D sculpting studio that handles millions of polygons through WebGPU. Free tier; Pro $9.99/mo or $99/yr Free tier Browser · WebGPU Sculpting high-density meshes without installing a desktop app
Spline Browser-based 3D design with real-time collaboration. Exports to web, video, code. AI features for prompt-to-3D. Free tier, Super $9/mo, Business $24/mo Free tier Browser · Collaborative Interactive web 3D, UI mockups, product viz
Vectary Browser-based 3D for e-commerce and product visualization. Pro AI $15/mo (annual) Free tier Browser · E-commerce Product viz, e-commerce
Womp3D Playful browser-based 3D modeler for product design. Free tier, Pro $12.99/mo Free tier Browser · Product Design Product design, 3D printing
World Machine Command tools like erosion and advanced colormaps to create terrain heightmaps, meshes, and textures for your game or 3D scene. You can use the Basic Edition for free. Free tier

3D Software: Paid

Professional paid 3D software.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
3D Coat Sculpt, retopo, UV, and PBR paint suite from Pilgway. Voxel and surface sculpt, AUTOPO auto-retopo, manual quad retopo, UV unwrap, bake.
See also: Software Reference → Retopology & UV Software, Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Retopology & Mesh Tools		 ~$379 perpetual (Educational $99) Paid Sculpt + Retopo · PBR Paint Sculpt + retopo + UV + PBR paint in one app
3Design Parametric jewelry CAD with rendering. Paid Jewelry CAD · Parametric Parametric jewelry design + render
3ds Max Autodesk polygonal DCC widely used in archviz, games, and broadcast VFX. $255/mo or $2,010/yr (Indie $330/yr) Paid Industry Standard · Archviz/Games Archviz, games, broadcast VFX
Autodesk Alias Class-A surface modeling standard for automotive exterior design. Paid Class-A Surfacing · Auto Std Class-A surface modeling
Autodesk VRED OEM-standard automotive design review and photoreal viz. Paid Automotive Std · OEM Automotive design review
Avid Maestro Avid's virtual sets, AR, and data-driven graphics platform for live news and sports. Paid Avid · Virtual Sets Avid broadcast virtual sets
Browzwear VStitcher Enterprise 3D garment design and tech-pack pipeline. Paid Enterprise · Tech Packs Enterprise fashion pipeline
ChyronHego (Chyron) PRIME graphics engine. News and sports lower-thirds, AR/VR studio. Paid Broadcast Graphics · PRIME Broadcast lower-thirds + AR studio
Cinema 4D Maxon's motion-graphics and procedural 3D DCC; ships with Redshift and 5 Team Render nodes. $69.91/mo annual (Maxon One bundle $99.91/mo) Paid Industry Standard · Motion Graphics Motion graphics, broadcast, design-led 3D
CLO 3D Garment design and simulation for the fashion industry. Pattern-based 3D. Paid Fashion Std · Garment Sim Fashion garment design + sim
Crocotile 3D Use 2d tiles to create 3d models! Paid Pixel/Tile 3D · Indie 2D-tile to 3D modeling
Daz 3D Character-focused 3D software w/ large marketplace of figures and morphs. Free core app. Paid Characters · Huge Marketplace Character-centric scenes
Faceware Studio Real-time face capture and streaming software. Paid Face Cap · Real-time Real-time face capture
Feather iPad 3D drawing app that turns pen strokes into 3D curves on guide surfaces. $14.99 one-time Paid Paid · iPad 3D sketching on iPad
Houdini Procedural node-based DCC for VFX, simulation, and FX.
See also: Lighting, Rendering & Shaders → Rendering & Shader Theory		 Indie $269/yr, Core $1995, FX $4495 Paid Industry Standard · Procedural FX Procedural FX, simulation, VFX
ICEM Surf Class-A surfacing for automotive exteriors. Part of Dassault Systemes CATIA. Paid Class-A · CATIA Class-A automotive surfacing
JewelCAD Long-standing dedicated jewelry CAD package. Paid Jewelry CAD · Classic Jewelry CAD
LightWave 3D Veteran modeling, animation, and rendering DCC with a long film/broadcast legacy. Paid Veteran DCC · Broadcast/VFX Broadcast, motion graphics, indie VFX
Lumiscaphe Patchwork 3D Real-time automotive configurator and viz, OEM clientele. Paid Auto Config · Real-time Real-time auto config
Marmoset Toolbag Real-time PBR viewer, baker, and renderer. Common in game/jewelry portfolios.
See also: Software Reference → Render Engines		 Paid PBR Viewer · Baking PBR portfolio rendering + baking
Marvelous Designer Cloth simulation and garment design software. Subscription Paid Garment Sim · Cloth Cloth simulation, garment design
MatrixGold (Gemvision) Rhino-based parametric jewelry CAD. Successor to Matrix/RhinoGold. Paid Jewelry CAD · Rhino-based Parametric jewelry CAD
Maya Film-industry animation and VFX DCC. $255/mo (Indie $330/yr) Paid Industry Standard · Film Animation Film VFX, CG animation
Moi3D NURBS modeler for industrial and product design. $295 perpetual (90-day trial) Paid NURBS · Perpetual License NURBS modeling, industrial design
MotionBuilder Autodesk real-time character animation and mocap editing platform.
See also: Software Reference → Virtual Production Software		 $2,225/yr Paid Industry Standard · Mocap Mocap cleanup, real-time character animation
Nomad Sculpt Mobile digital sculpting for iPad and Android. $19.99 one-time (mobile) Paid iPad Sculpt · One-time Purchase Mobile sculpting
Optitex 2D/3D pattern-making and virtual fit. Paid Pattern + Fit · Industrial 2D/3D pattern + virtual fit
Plasticity NURBS/CAD-style modeler tuned for artists and concept work; perpetual license w/ 12-month maintenance.
See also: Software Reference → Misc 3D Utilities Software		 Indie/Studio perpetual; Indie→Studio upgrade $125 Paid NURBS · Concept/Hard-Surface Hard-surface concept, product design
Reallusion Character Creator Character creation and auto-rigging pipeline feeding iClone, Unreal, Unity, Blender, Omniverse. From $8.30/mo (3D Suite 365 $49.92/mo with iClone) Paid Character Pipeline · Auto-Rig Production-ready character pipelines
Reallusion iClone Real-time character animation and cinematic creation; pairs with Character Creator. $59/mo or $199/yr (perpetual $599) Paid Real-time · Character Anim Real-time previs, indie cinematics
Ross XPression Real-time motion graphics and data-driven CG for live broadcast. Paid Broadcast · Data-Driven Real-time broadcast CG
Shapelab VR and desktop sculpting app for characters, props and concepts. Lite $34.99, Max $49.99/yr Paid Paid · VR VR sculpting
SketchUp Architectural and interior-design-oriented 3D modeler. Go $10.75/mo, Pro $33.25/mo, Studio $68.25/mo (annual) Paid Arch-Viz · Easy Learning Curve Architecture, interior design
SpeedTree Procedural tree and vegetation modeler with a runtime SDK, used for game and film foliage. Indie $19/mo, Pro $899/yr Paid Industry Standard · Vegetation Game and film foliage
Style3D 3D garment design and cloth simulation. Clo3D/Marvelous competitor with FBX/OBJ export to standard CG pipelines. Subscription Paid Fashion · Garment Sim 3D garment design, cloth simulation, fashion-to-CG pipeline
Substance 3D Modeler Adobe's VR and desktop sculpting tool. $49.99/mo collection Paid VR Sculpt · Adobe Suite VR/desktop sculpting
Unreal MetaHuman Animator iPhone/HMC-driven facial performance capture targeting MetaHuman characters. Free with Unreal. Free MetaHuman · Free w/ Unreal MetaHuman facial performance
ZBrush Industry-standard digital sculpting from Maxon. ~$27/mo annual Paid Industry Standard · iPad Version Sculpting, characters

Related:

CAD Software

Computer-aided design tools.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
AutoCAD Industry-standard 2D/3D CAD. $210/mo Paid Industry Standard · 2D/3D Drafting Architecture, engineering, drafting
Autodesk Inventor Mechanical 3D CAD for product design, simulation, and tooling. $310/mo or $2,500/yr Paid Mechanical CAD · Industry Standard Mechanical engineering and product design
Bitbybit Browser parametric CAD via visual nodes (Rete, Blockly) or Monaco code editor. OCCT, JSCAD, Manifold backends. Free tier Browser · Parametric Parametric web CAD, generative geometry, 3D printing
BricsCAD AutoCAD-compatible DWG CAD; offers both perpetual and subscription licensing. Lite from €314; Pro $1,752 perpetual; Ultimate from €1,176/yr Paid DWG-Compatible · Cross-Platform DWG-compatible CAD on Mac/Linux
CATIA Dassault Systèmes CAD for aerospace and automotive. Paid Aerospace · Automotive Aerospace, automotive
Dune 3D Open-source parametric CAD app with a SolveSpace-derived constraint solver and STEP support. Open source Open Source · CAD Parametric mechanical parts
FreeCAD Free open-source parametric CAD. Open source Parametric · Open Source Parametric CAD, engineering
Fusion 360 Personal Autodesk's CAD/CAM free for personal hobbyist use. Free, non-commercial CAD/CAM · Personal Free Hobbyist CAD, 3D printing
LibreCAD Free open-source 2D CAD application for technical drawings, with DXF support. Open source 2D CAD · Drafting 2D drafting
Onshape Free Cloud-based CAD with free hobbyist tier (public projects). Free tier Cloud CAD · Collaborative Collaborative CAD, hobbyists
OpenSCAD Code-based CAD for parametric design. Open source Script-Based · Parametric Script-based CAD
PackCAD Browser 3D CAD for packaging. Models folded/origami structures with folding simulation. Free tier Browser · Packaging Packaging and dieline design
Pascal Editor Open-source browser editor for 3D buildings, floor plans, rooms, roofs, furniture, and interiors. Open source Browser · Building Editor Browser-based building and interior planning
PTC Creo Parametric mechanical CAD with simulation, generative design, and additive workflows. Quote-based; perpetual ~$2,200-$16,000; subs $200-$1,500/mo Paid Parametric CAD · Industry Standard High-end mechanical engineering
Rhino NURBS-focused 3D modeling for architecture and product design. $995 perpetual Paid NURBS · Grasshopper NURBS modeling, architecture
Shapr3D Touch-first parametric/direct CAD on iPad, Vision Pro, Mac, and Windows. Pro $299/yr Paid Touch-first · Cross-Platform Tablet-first concept and product CAD
Siemens NX High-end product engineering CAD/CAM/CAE; NX X is the cloud SaaS variant. Quote-based (perpetual, subscription, or token) Paid PLM · Industry Standard Enterprise PLM and engineering
SolidWorks Mechanical CAD for engineers. $2,820/yr Paid Mechanical CAD · Simulation Mechanical engineering
Solvespace Parametric 3D CAD modeling tool. Open source Parametric · Lightweight Lightweight parametric CAD
Vectorworks CAD and BIM software line for architecture, landscape and stage lighting design. Subscription Paid Subscription · BIM Architecture and stage design
Zoo Design Studio Code-and-UI CAD app with the KCL modeling language on Zoo's own geometry engine. Free tier Freemium · Code CAD Code-based CAD design

Related:

2D & Animation Software

Digital painting, illustration, 2D animation.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
Aseprite Pixel art editor and sprite animation tool, sold commercially with its source code public on GitHub. Open source Pixel Art · Sprite Animation Pixel art, sprite animation, game assets
Autograph USD-based motion graphics, compositing, and VFX (After Effects alternative). Free for individuals incl. commercial use. Originally Left Angle, now Maxon. Free USD · Free Commercial 2D/3D motion design and compositing
Callipeg Frame-by-frame 2D animation app for tablets and desktop. From $5 one-time Paid Paid · Tablet Tablet frame-by-frame animation
Cavalry Procedural 2D motion design (After Effects alternative). Free tier available. Free tier Procedural · Data-Driven Data-driven motion graphics
Clip Studio Paint Industry-standard illustration and comics with animation timeline.
See also: Software Reference → Design Software		 Paid Manga · Frame-by-Frame Manga, illustration, frame-by-frame animation
DoAnimation Browser frame-by-frame 2D animation. Layers, onion skinning, GIF/MP4 export. Files stay local. Free Browser · 2D Animation Browser 2D animation
DragonBones Open source 2D skeletal animation. Flash-origin workflow, runtimes for multiple engines. Open source Open Source · 2D Skeletal 2D skeletal animation (OSS)
Friction Free open-source motion graphics and 2D vector animation. After Effects-style workflow.
See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Inspiration		 Open source Open Source · AE-alt Open-source motion graphics
Glaxnimate KDE open-source vector animation app with Lottie and SVG export. Open source Open Source · Lottie Lottie vector animation
GraphicsGale Pixel art and sprite animation tool (free). Free Pixel Art · Free Pixel art/sprite animation
Hexels 2D grid-based painting tool from Marmoset. Paid
Krita Free open-source digital painting app from KDE; v5.3 and v6.0 shipped March 2026.
See also: Software Reference → Design Software, Art, Design & Visual Storytelling → Design Tools		 Open source Free OSS · Painting Digital painting, concept art
LibreSprite LibreSprite is an open source fork of Aseprite.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Sprite & VFX		 Open source
Lightcube Pixel art editor for Windows w/ PSD, JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF support.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Sprite & VFX		 Paid Windows · PSD Support Windows pixel art w/ PSD
Moho (Smith Micro) 2D vector and bone-rigged animation. Paid Bone Rigging · Vector Animation Character animation, motion graphics
OpenToonz Studio Ghibli's animation engine, open-sourced. Open source Ghibli Pipeline · Traditional 2D Traditional 2D animation
OpenToonz GitHub Source, plugins, and documentation. Unspecified
Pencil2D Free lightweight 2D animation. Open source Lightweight · Hand-drawn Simple hand-drawn animation
Pickle Desktop pixel art editor for drawing sprites and animated frames.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Sprite & VFX		 Paid Pixel Art · Editor Pixel art editing
Pixa.Pics Browser pixel-art tool w/ vectorization.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Sprite & VFX		 Free tier Browser · Vectorization Browser pixel art
Pixel Composer (itch.io) Node-based 2D VFX and compositing for pixel art. Paid Node-based · Pixel VFX Pixel art effects, game VFX
Pixelator Turn any image into pixel art.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Sprite & VFX		 Paid Image→Pixel · Conversion Image→pixel art
Pixelorama Free pixel art editor (made in Godot).
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Sprite & VFX		 Open source Pixel Art · Godot-built Pixel art for games
PixelOver Convert artwork to pixel art with animation, bone rigging, and pixel-perfect transforms.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Sprite & VFX		 ~$20 (free demo) Paid Artwork→Pixel · Rigging Artwork → pixel art conversion
Pixen (GitHub) Open-source pixel art and animation editor for macOS.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Sprite & VFX		 Open source
Pixen (site) Paid, works on macOS and iOS. Superb OS integration, create pixel art on a tablet using pressure-sensitive drawing.
See also: Art, Design & Visual Storytelling → Drawing & Painting for 3D Artists		 Paid
Pro Motion Paid with trial, works on Windows. Advanced features tailored to creating pixel art for games.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Sprite & VFX		 Paid
Procreate IPad painting app. Procreate Dreams for animation.
See also: Software Reference → Design Software		 Paid iPad-native · Storyboarding Mobile illustration, storyboards
PyxelEdit Pixel art editor for tilesets, levels, animations.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Sprite & VFX		 Paid Tilesets · Pixel Art Pixel art tilesets/levels
Rebelle 8 Pro Natural-media painting app simulating real watercolor, oil, acrylic, ink with fluid dynamics.
See also: Art, Design & Visual Storytelling → Drawing & Painting for 3D Artists		 Paid Natural Media · Watercolor Sim Realistic traditional-media digital painting
REXPaint Free ASCII art editor with layers, animation, and palette tools. Built for roguelike and terminal art. Free ASCII Art · Roguelike ASCII art, roguelike mockups
Rive Interactive animation for apps and web. Free tier Interactive · UI Animation UI animation, interactive graphics
Spine (Esoteric Software) 2D skeletal animation w/ mesh deformation, IK, skins/attachments. Runtimes for Unity/Unreal/Godot/web. Used on Cult of the Lamb, Return to Monkey Island, Tinykin. Paid Skeletal · Game Runtimes Skeletal 2D animation for games
SpriteMancer 2D VFX and sprite animation.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Sprite & VFX		 Paid 2D VFX · Sprites 2D game VFX
Spriter Pro Modern tool for sprite animation (2D bone rigging). Paid Sprite Animation · Paid 2D sprite animation
Synfig Studio Free open-source 2D vector animation. Open source Vector · Cutout Cutout/bone animation
Tahoma2D 2D and stop-motion animation (OpenToonz fork w/ modernized UI and features). Open source OpenToonz Fork · Stop Motion 2D / stop motion
TexturePacker Sprite sheet packing, multi-engine export.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Sprite & VFX		 Paid Sprite Sheets · Multi-Engine Sprite sheet packing
Toon Boom Harmony Professional 2D animation (studio standard). Paid Studio Standard · TV Animation TV animation, feature film
Toon Boom Storyboard Pro Industry-standard storyboarding with animatic, camera and audio timeline.
See also: Art, Design & Visual Storytelling → Pre-Production, Storyboarding & Script Tools		 Paid Storyboarding · Animatics Pre-production, animatics
TVPaint Animation Raster frame-by-frame 2D animation software modeled on paper animation. From about €650 perpetual Paid Paid · Frame by Frame Hand-drawn 2D animation

Related:

VFX & Compositing Software

VFX, compositing, and real-time simulation tools.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
After Effects Motion graphics and compositing. Paid Motion Graphics · Adobe Suite Motion design, light VFX
Autodesk Flame Compositing, finishing and VFX software with node compositing, conform and ML depth and face tools. $5,215/yr Paid Industry Standard · Finishing High-end finishing and VFX
Boris FX Optics Photo and film stylization plugin and standalone. Filters, grain, lens FX, color. $9.99/mo or $149/yr; perpetual $199 Paid Stylize · Lens FX Film/photo stylization
Boris FX Particle Illusion Standalone particle generator. Free version; Pro features available inside Continuum. Free tier Free · Particle Library Quick particle FX library
ButtleOFX Simple open-source node-based compositing software. Open source
Continuum Boris FX broadcast/post effects collection. Titles, particles, image restoration, color. $32-$112/mo; perpetual $365-$2,195 by host Paid Plugin Suite · Broadcast Broadcast finishing and titling
DaVinci Resolve Fusion Node-based compositing, free with Resolve. Free tier Node-based · Free with Resolve Compositing, VFX
Effekseer Real-time VFX editor and runtime.
See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Tools & Utilities		 Open source Real-time VFX · Games Game VFX particles
EmberGen Real-time volumetric fluid sim (fire, smoke, explosions). Paid Real-time Sim · Fire/Smoke Game VFX, real-time effects
Fusion Free node-based compositing software from Blackmagic Design. Free
GeoGen (JangaFX) Real-time terrain generation. Paid Terrain Gen · Real-time Game environments
IlluGen Real-time procedural node-based generator for tiling noise, normal maps, flowmaps, 3D FX meshes, caustics, masks, distortions. Paid Real-time · Procedural Materials Real-time VFX and tech-art asset/material generation
KeenTools Face and geometry tracking plus FaceBuilder for Blender, Nuke, AE, Houdini.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Matchmoving & Camera Tracking		 $18/mo or $179/yr per plugin (Studio $499/yr floating) Paid Face Tracking · VFX Face/geo tracking for VFX
LiquiGen Real-time liquid simulation. Paid Real-time Sim · Liquids Game fluid effects
MadMapper Projection mapping software.
See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Tools & Utilities		 Paid Projection Mapping · Live Projection mapping
Magic Animator Web-based animation creator.
See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Tools & Utilities		 Free tier Web · Quick Anim Quick animated graphics
Mocha Pro Boris FX planar tracker for VFX. Roto, object removal, screen replacement, lens distortion.
See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Tools & Utilities, Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Matchmoving & Camera Tracking		 $48/mo or $325/yr; perpetual from $765 Paid Industry Standard · Planar Tracking Planar tracking, roto, screen replacement
Natron (community fork) Free open-source node compositor, Nuke-like.
See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Inspiration		 Open source Node-based · Nuke-like Indie VFX compositing
Nuke Industry-standard node-based compositing software by The Foundry. Free non-commercial version available. Free tier
Nuke (Foundry) Industry-standard compositing. Non-Commercial free version available. Paid Industry Standard · Node-based Film VFX compositing
Red Giant Complete Maxon-owned VFX/motion suite. Trapcode, Magic Bullet, VFX Suite, Universe.
See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Tools & Utilities		 $85/mo or $639/yr Paid Plugin Suite · Motion Graphics Motion graphics and VFX in AE/Premiere/Resolve
Resolume Live visuals and VJ software.
See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Tools & Utilities		 Paid VJ · Live Visuals VJ, live visuals
Sapphire Boris FX 270+ VFX/transition plugins for AE, Premiere, Resolve, Nuke, Flame, Avid, OFX hosts. $80/mo or $545/yr; perpetual $1,865+ Paid Plugin Suite · VFX VFX and transition plugins across hosts
Silhouette Boris FX node-based roto/paint compositor with AI-driven matte tools.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Matchmoving & Camera Tracking		 $165/mo or $875/yr; perpetual standalone $2,195 Paid Industry Standard · Roto/Paint Feature-film roto and paint
TOOLL3 Graph-based procedural real-time motion graphics for live performance or rendering.
See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Inspiration		 Open source Real-Time · Procedural
TouchDesigner Node-based real-time visual programming for interactive media, installations, and live visuals.
See also: Motion Graphics & Video → Motion Graphics: Tools & Utilities		 Free tier Real-time · Node-based Interactive installations, live visuals, projection mapping
VectorayGen Free node-based vector field generator for real-time VFX. Computes flows, noise, and turbulence to drive GPU particle motion. Free Vector Fields · Free Real-time VFX vector fields

Related:

Render Engines

Production render engines across CPU, GPU, biased, and unbiased path tracers.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
3Delight OSL-based path tracer with plugins for Maya, Houdini, Cinema 4D, Katana and Hydra. Free up to 12 cores, paid unlimited Free tier Freemium · OSL Film and animation rendering
aerialod A free interactive path tracing renderer for height maps. Free
AMD Blender USD Hydra With Pixar's USD system emerging as a tool for 3D graphics pipelines and interchange, this addon is meant to add first class support for USD and the USD Hydra rendering system to Blender. Free USD · Blender USD Hydra in Blender
Arnold (Autodesk) CPU/GPU hybrid production renderer, bundled with Maya/3ds Max. With Maya/3ds Max sub Paid Film-grade · CPU/GPU Hybrid Film VFX, lighting
Bella Spectral path tracer with a standalone GUI, CLI and plugins for Rhino, Maya and SketchUp. €240 perpetual Paid Paid · Spectral Spectral product rendering
Chaos Vantage Real-time ray-traced renderer for exploring large V-Ray, USD and MaterialX scenes. Subscription, 30-day trial Paid Subscription · V-Ray Real-time V-Ray scene review
Corona (Chaos) CPU renderer for arch-viz and interiors. ~$30/mo Paid CPU-only · Interiors Arch-viz, interiors
Cycles CPU/GPU path tracer. Bundled free with Blender. Open source Open Source · Path-tracing General purpose
D5 Render Real-time GPU renderer for arch-viz. Free version available Free tier Real-time · Arch-Viz Arch-viz
DreamWork's MoonRay Physically based path-tracing renderer with a USD Hydra delegate and Arras distributed/cloud rendering. Unspecified
Enscape Chaos real-time rendering plugin for Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, Archicad, Vectorworks. Subscription only since mid-2025. Solo $574.80/yr; Premium $634.80/yr Paid Real-time · Archviz Plugin Real-time archviz inside CAD/BIM
Guerilla Render Bidirectional path tracer and lookdev/lighting app by Mercenaries Engineering, used on animated features. Free Discover tier, paid Station seats and render nodes. Free Discover tier, Station from €1,200/seat, render nodes from €350 Free tier Production · Free Animated feature lookdev and lighting
Horde3D Small open source 3D rendering engine. Open source
Indigo Renderer Glare Technologies unbiased GPU/CPU renderer with multi-GPU, denoising, and SSS. ~$650 perpetual full license Paid Unbiased · GPU/CPU Photoreal stills, archviz
Karma (SideFX) CPU/GPU USD-native renderer, bundled with Houdini. With Houdini license Paid USD-native · Houdini Film VFX, USD pipeline
KeyShot (Luxion) CPU real-time ray tracing for product visualization. $995+ perpetual Paid Product Viz · Real-time Product viz, industrial design
Krakatoa AWS Thinkbox volumetric particle renderer for 3ds Max and Maya; free + open source (Apache 2.0) since 2022. Open source Free OSS · Particles Volumetric particle rendering
Light Tracer Render Provides you with everything you need to create photorealistic renderings interactively, in both desktop Web browsers and Windows application. Free tier
Lumion Real-time architectural visualization renderer with cloud rendering bundled. View $229-$299/yr; Pro $1,149/yr; Studio $1,499/yr Paid Real-time · Archviz Real-time archviz
LuxCore Free open-source CPU/GPU unbiased renderer. Open source Open Source · Physically Accurate Physically accurate rendering
Malt Non-photorealistic rendering (NPR) framework. Real-time, customizable rendering for animation and illustration. Works as a Blender render engine. Open source
Marmoset Toolbag Real-time PBR viewer, baker, and renderer. Common in game/jewelry portfolios.
See also: Software Reference → 3D Software: Paid		 Paid PBR Viewer · Baking PBR portfolio rendering + baking
Maxwell Render Next Limit unbiased physically-correct renderer; plugins for Studio, Rhino, SketchUp, C4D, Maya, 3ds Max, ArchiCAD, form·Z. Paid perpetual + maintenance Paid Unbiased · Photoreal Photoreal archviz and product viz
MoonRay DreamWorks' open-source MCRT production renderer used on feature films. Open source DreamWorks · Open Source Open-source film production renderer
Octane (OTOY) GPU unbiased renderer with free tier. Free tier available Free tier GPU Unbiased · Photoreal Photoreal, arch-viz
Radeon ProRender (AMD) AMD's GPU path tracer, free and cross-vendor. Free GPU-agnostic · Free Cross-platform, GPU-agnostic
Redshift (Maxon) GPU-biased production renderer. Included with Maxon One Paid GPU-biased · Production Production rendering, motion graphics
RenderMan (Pixar) Pixar's CPU/GPU hybrid production renderer. Free for non-commercial. Free, non-commercial Free NC · Pixar Pipeline Film production
Thea Render CPU and GPU renderer with the real-time Nitro engine, standalone or as a SketchUp and Rhino plugin. Paid Paid · SketchUp Archviz rendering
Twinmotion (Epic) Real-time GPU renderer from Epic for arch-viz. Free version available Free tier Real-time · Epic Games Arch-viz
V-Ray (Chaos) CPU/GPU hybrid renderer for arch-viz and product viz. ~$60/mo Paid Arch-Viz · Industry Standard Arch-viz, product viz

Related:

Video Editing Software

NLEs and post-production software.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
Apple Compressor Encoding and delivery companion app for Final Cut Pro. $49.99 perpetual Paid FCP Encode · Mac FCP encode/deliver
Apple Motion Motion graphics app and FCP template authoring tool from Apple. $49.99 perpetual Paid FCP Companion · Mac FCP motion graphics + titles
Avid Media Composer Long-standing film/TV finishing NLE. Standard for collaborative editorial in features and broadcast post. From $23.99/mo (Ultimate $79.99/mo) Paid Industry Standard · Film/TV Film and TV editorial
Avidemux Simple OSS cut/filter/encode tool. Not a full NLE. Open source Open Source · Utility Quick cuts + reencodes
CapCut Desktop ByteDance's free desktop/mobile editor, dominant in social workflows. Free tier Free · Social-first Social/short-form editing
Clipchamp Microsoft's browser editor bundled with Windows 11. Free tier Bundled w/ Windows · Browser Quick Windows editing
DaVinci Resolve Free professional editing, color grading, Fusion, Fairlight audio. Free tier Free Pro · Full Post Pipeline Color grading, editing, full post pipeline
DaVinci Resolve Studio Paid Resolve with neural engine, advanced noise reduction, HDR grading, and multi-user collaboration. $295 perpetual Paid Pro Tier · One-time Buy Full pro post pipeline w/ collaboration
Descript Transcript-driven video and podcast editor. Edits by editing the text. Free / $15/mo Creator / $30/mo Pro Free tier Transcript Edit · Podcast Podcast and talking-head editing
Filmora Wondershare beginner-friendly editor; watermarked free tier. ~$80/yr Free tier Beginner · Templates Beginner editing
Final Cut Pro Apple-native NLE with magnetic timeline. Paid Mac-only · Magnetic Timeline Mac-based editing
GoZen Free open-source video editor built with Godot (alpha). Open source Godot-built · Alpha Lightweight editing, Godot integration
iMovie Apple's free consumer editor for macOS and iOS/iPadOS. Free Free · Apple Consumer Mac/iOS editing
Kdenlive Free open-source video editor (NLE) from KDE with multitrack timeline editing. Open source Open Source · Cross-Platform Linux/cross-platform editing
Lightworks Pro NLE with free tier (1080p export) and paid Pro/Create tiers. Used on feature films historically. Free / $9.99/mo Create / $23.99/mo Pro Free tier Free Tier · Pro NLE Pro NLE on a budget
OBS Software designed for capturing, compositing, encoding, recording, and streaming video content efficiently. Open source Capture · Open Source Screen capture and streaming
OpenShot Award-winning free and open-source video editor for Linux, Mac, and Windows. Open source Open Source · Beginner-Friendly Cross-platform beginner editing
Premiere Elements One-time-purchase consumer Premiere variant. ~$99 perpetual Paid One-time Buy · Consumer Consumer Adobe editing without subscription
Premiere Pro Industry-standard NLE from Adobe. Paid Industry Standard · Adobe Suite Broadcast, film editing
Shotcut Free open-source video editor. Open source Lightweight · Beginner-Friendly Quick edits, beginners
VEED Browser editor with auto-subtitles, AI tools, and screen recording. Free / $12/mo Lite / $24/mo Pro Free tier Browser · Auto-Subs Browser-based quick edits + subtitles
Vegas Movie Studio Consumer/prosumer Vegas variant for hobbyist editing. ~$79 perpetual Paid Consumer · Windows Hobbyist Windows editing
Vegas Pro Magix Windows NLE with track-based timeline, HDR, and AI-assisted tools. From $19.99/mo (perpetual $599) Paid Windows Pro NLE · Track-based Windows-only pro editing
VSDC Free Video Editor Windows non-linear editor, free + Pro tier. Free tier Free · Windows Free Windows editing

Related:

Audio Software

Audio editing, mixing, sound design, and SFX generation.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
Ableton Live Session and arrangement DAW. Standard for electronic music and live performance. Intro $99 / Standard $439 / Suite $749 Paid Electronic Std · Live Electronic music + live
Adobe Audition Professional audio workstation. Paid Audio Restoration · Adobe Suite Podcast, sound design, restoration
Ardour Open-source digital audio workstation for multitrack recording, editing and mixing. Open source Open Source · GPL Free multitrack DAW
Audacity Free open-source audio editor and recorder. Open source Open Source · Recording Voice recording, SFX editing, podcast
Audio Design Desk Sound design app that places SFX, foley, and music against picture from typed cues. Paid Sound to Picture · Cue Driven Fast sound design to picture
Bespoke Synth Open-source modular DAW where patch cables rewire the signal path while it plays. Open source Modular DAW · Open Source Live modular patching
Bfxr Retro and chiptune SFX generator (browser and desktop). Open source Retro/8-bit · Generator 8-bit game sound effects
Bitwig Studio DAW with deep modular Grid synthesis engine. Paid Modular Grid · Cross-Platform Modular DAW
Cakewalk by BandLab Full Sonar successor, free on Windows. Free Free · Windows Free Windows DAW
ChucK Strongly timed audio programming language for livecoding and synthesis. Open source Livecoding · Stanford Timed audio programming
Csound Sound and music computing system with a text-based orchestra and score model. Open source Audio DSL · Open Source Scripted synthesis and DSP
Cubase Steinberg DAW with strong MIDI and scoring. Paid Steinberg · MIDI/Scoring MIDI/scoring DAW
Dolby Atmos Renderer Reference Dolby Atmos production renderer. Paid Atmos · Reference Reference Atmos production
FabFilter Pro Suite Pro EQ, compressor, reverb, and limiter plugins (Pro-Q, Pro-L). Paid Pro Plugins · Mixing Pro mixing/mastering plugins
Fairlight Professional audio built into DaVinci Resolve. Free tier Film Post · Free with Resolve Film audio post, Foley
FL Studio Pattern-based DAW with lifetime free updates. From $99 Paid Lifetime Updates · Pattern DAW Pattern-based production
Flux Spat Revolution IRCAM-derived object-based spatializer for immersive mixing. Paid IRCAM · Spatial Object-based spatial mixing
FMOD Industry-standard adaptive audio. Free for indie <$200k.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Audio Middleware		 Free tier Industry Standard · Indie-Free Adaptive game audio
GameSynth (Tsugi) Node-based procedural SFX generator for games. Paid Procedural SFX · Games Procedural game SFX
GarageBand Free Apple DAW with built-in loops, drummers, and amp models. Free Free · Apple Free entry-level DAW on Apple
iZotope RX Industry-standard audio restoration suite. From $399 Paid Audio Repair · Industry Std Audio repair/restoration
Krotos Performance-driven foley and monster vox plugins (Reformer, Dehumaniser). Paid Foley · Creature Vox Foley + creature sound
LMMS Free FL-style DAW, cross-platform. Open source Open Source · FL-style Free FL-style production
Logic Pro Apple pro DAW for macOS and iPad. $199.99 perpetual (Mac) / $4.99/mo (iPad) Paid Apple · macOS macOS pro DAW
Max/MSP (Cycling '74) Visual patcher for audio, MIDI, and video (Jitter). Paid Visual Patcher · Cycling 74 Pro visual DSP/multimedia
Melodyne Pitch and timing editor that separates notes inside polyphonic recordings. Paid Pitch Editing · DNA Pitch and timing repair
Ocenaudio Free waveform editor with real-time effect preview and large-file handling. Free Free · Waveform Editor Quick waveform edits
Pro Tools Industry standard for post-production audio mixing and finishing. From $9.99/mo (Studio $34.99/mo, Ultimate $99/mo) Paid Industry Standard · Post Mixing Audio post mixing/finishing
Pure Data (Pd) Open-source visual programming environment for audio, MIDI, and multimedia. Open source Visual DSP · BSD Visual DSP patching
Reaper Full DAW with $60 personal license. $60 personal license Paid Full DAW · Affordable Music production, sound design
Renoise Tracker-style DAW with sample-level editing and per-line command control. $75 perpetual Paid Tracker · Perpetual Tracker workflow production
Sonic Pi Code-based music livecoding environment, education-friendly. Open source Livecoding · Education Livecoding music education
Sound Particles CGI-style 3D sound design with thousands of simultaneous sources. Big in immersive/film audio. Paid 3D Sound · Immersive 3D sound design
Soundly Desktop SFX platform with curated library and local library management. Free tier (3000+ sounds), Pro $14.99/mo Free tier SFX Library · Desktop SFX browsing, sound library management
SoundThread Node-based patching front end for the Composers Desktop Project sound manipulation tools. Open source Node-Based · CDP Front End Experimental spectral sound design
Steam Audio Physics-based spatial audio by Valve. Free.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Audio Middleware		 Free Spatial Audio · Valve Free Spatial game audio
Strudel Browser TidalCycles port (JS). Open source Browser · Tidal Port Browser pattern livecoding
Studio One PreSonus digital audio workstation for recording, mixing and producing music with drag-and-drop workflow. Paid PreSonus · Drag Workflow Modern drag-flow DAW
SuperCollider Server-based audio synthesis and livecoding language. Open source Livecoding · GPL Algorithmic synthesis + livecoding
Surge XT Open-source hybrid synthesizer with wavetable, FM, and subtractive engines. Open source Open Source · Synth Free pro synth plugin
TidalCycles Haskell-based pattern livecoding for algoraves. Open source Algoraves · Pattern Pattern-based livecoding
VCV Rack Open-source Eurorack modular synthesizer emulator. Free core; paid Pro and premium modules. Free core / $149 Pro Open source Modular Synth · Eurorack Software modular synthesis
Vital Spectral warping wavetable synth. Free tier covers most sound design work. Free / Plus $25 / Pro $80 Free tier Wavetable · Free Tier Wavetable sound design
Waveform Free Tracktion DAW with unlimited tracks at no cost. Free Free · Unlimited Tracks Free unlimited-track DAW
Wavewright Modular music sandbox inspired by analog synthesizers (Early Access). Free Modular Synth · Early Access Sound design, music experimentation
Wwise AAA audio middleware with free tier.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Audio Middleware		 Free tier AAA · Free Tier AAA game audio

Related:

Design Software

UI/UX, vector, raster design apps.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
Adobe Express Adobe web and mobile app for quick social graphics, flyers and short videos from templates.
See also: Art, Design & Visual Storytelling → Design Tools		 Free tier Web · Adobe Quick design
Adobe Illustrator Industry-standard vector graphics editor; available on iPad.
See also: Art, Design & Visual Storytelling → Design Tools		 $22.99/mo annual single-app Paid Industry Standard · Vector Vector illustration, logos, layout
Adobe InDesign Page layout and publishing for print and digital.
See also: Art, Design & Visual Storytelling → Design Tools		 $20.99/mo annual single-app Paid Industry Standard · Layout Editorial layout and publishing
Adobe Photoshop Industry-standard raster image editor and compositor; available on iPad.
See also: Art, Design & Visual Storytelling → Design Tools		 Single App $22.99/mo; Photography Plan $19.99/mo Paid Industry Standard · Raster Photo editing, matte painting, texture work
Affinity Unified vector, photo, and layout app. Free, by Canva. Free Free (Canva) · Vector + Raster Illustration, photo editing, page layout
ArcBrush Node-based non-destructive image editor for generating asset variants and export formats; optional credit-based AI features.
See also: Art, Design & Visual Storytelling → Design Tools		 Free tier Node-based · Non-destructive Node-based batch image editing
Clip Studio Paint Industry-standard illustration and comics with animation timeline.
See also: Software Reference → 2D & Animation Software		 Paid Manga · Frame-by-Frame Manga, illustration, frame-by-frame animation
Eagle Desktop app for collecting, tagging and organizing images, fonts and other visual reference assets.
See also: Art, Design & Visual Storytelling → Design Tools, Art, Design & Visual Storytelling → Pre-Production, Storyboarding & Script Tools		 Paid Asset Organizer · Visual Asset organization
Figma Collaborative UI/UX design with free tier. Free tier Collaborative · UI/UX UI design, prototyping, design systems
FontLab 8 Professional font editor. Paid Font Editor · Pro Type design, font editing
FotoSketcher Windows freeware that converts photos to sketch, painting, and pastel renders. Batchable. Free Freeware · Photo Stylize Quick stylize batches
GIMP Free open-source image editor. Open source Open Source · Photoshop-alt Texture editing, photo manipulation
Google Drawings Free browser-based diagramming and simple vector tool. Collaborative. Free Browser · Collaborative Quick diagrams, collaborative sketches
Graphite Open-source 2D vector and raster graphics editor with procedural node-based workflow. In active development.
See also: Art, Design & Visual Storytelling → Design Tools		 Open source Procedural · Open Source Procedural design, non-destructive vector
Inkscape Free open-source vector editor. Open source Vector · SVG SVG editing, illustration
Krita Free open-source digital painting app from KDE; v5.3 and v6.0 shipped March 2026.
See also: Art, Design & Visual Storytelling → Design Tools, Software Reference → 2D & Animation Software		 Open source Free OSS · Painting Digital painting, concept art
Lunacy Free graphic design app from Icons8. Native Sketch file support, built-in icons/illustrations/photos, AI tools. Free Sketch-alt · Free UI design, Sketch file editing on Win/Linux
Microsoft Paint Built-in Windows raster editor. Now ships with layers, transparency, and Cocreator AI. Free Windows-native · Lightweight Quick raster edits, mockups
Origami Studio Free interaction design and prototyping tool by Meta. Patch-based logic, Figma import. Free Prototyping · Meta Interaction prototyping, motion specs
Paint.NET Free Windows raster editor with layers, plugins, and unlimited undo. Sits between Microsoft Paint and Photoshop. Free Windows-native · Layers Quick raster edits, texture tweaks, photo touch-ups
Penpot Open-source design platform. Native SVG/CSS/HTML output. Cloud-hosted or self-host. Figma alternative. Open source Open Source · Figma-alt Open-source collaborative UI/UX design
Picsart Photo and video editor with AI tools. Web, mobile, and desktop. Free tier AI Tools · Mobile Quick edits, social content, AI photo tools
Pixelmator Full-featured image editing app for the Mac. Paid Mac-native · Image Editor Mac image editing
PixiEditor Universal 2D graphics editor. Procedural graphics w/ node graph, image editing, vectors, pixel art, animations. Open source Unified · Node-based Unified 2D editor
PowerPoint Microsoft presentation app. Used as a quick-draft motion/layout tool for storyboards and diagrams. Paid Presentations · Microsoft Presentations, quick layout/storyboards
Procreate IPad painting app. Procreate Dreams for animation.
See also: Software Reference → 2D & Animation Software		 Paid iPad-native · Storyboarding Mobile illustration, storyboards
ProtoPie High-fidelity interaction prototyping for apps and connected devices. Free tier Prototyping · Interaction Interaction prototyping
Sketch Mac-native UI/UX design tool with web previews and collaboration.
See also: Art, Design & Visual Storytelling → Design Tools		 Standard $12/editor/mo; Mac one-time $120/seat Paid UI/UX · Mac-native UI/UX design on Mac
Unicorn Studio Browser-based interactive scene and motion design for the web. No-code, exports to embed. Free tier Web Motion · No-code Interactive web hero scenes, motion-driven landing pages
Vectorpea Free browser-based vector editor by Photopea team. Opens AI/SVG/PDF/EPS/CDR. Free Browser · Illustrator-alt Quick vector editing in-browser

Related:

Viewers & File Utilities

Image, video, and 3D file viewers.

Software Description License Tags Best For
Connecter Free and visual creative assets management for 3d, AEC and design professionals. Free
DJV Free professional image sequence viewer. Open source Image Sequences · Film Pipeline EXR/DPX playback, film pipeline
f3d Fast 3D file viewer (glTF, STL, OBJ, USD, etc.). Open source 3D Preview · USD Support Quick 3D file preview
fre:ac Free, open-source batch audio converter.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Conversion Tools		 Open source Audio Batch · Open Source Batch audio conversion
glb.gallery Interactive 3D model gallery builder from GLB files, embeddable. Free tier Embeddable · GLB 3D portfolio, model showcase
HandBrake Free, open-source H.265/AV1 video encoder.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Conversion Tools		 Open source H.265/AV1 · Open Source Video encoding
Luminance HDR HDR workflow. Merge brackets, tonemap, convert EXR/HDR/RGBE.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Conversion Tools, Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Photogrammetry & 3D Scanning		 Open source HDR Workflow · EXR HDR workflow
mrv2 Flipbook and review player for EXR sequences, video and USD with annotations and OCIO. Successor to mrViewer. Open source Open Source · OCIO Dailies and shot review
mrViewer Image sequence and EXR viewer. Open source EXR Viewer · VFX Pipeline VFX pipeline review
OpenEXR Viewer Academy Software Foundation repository for OpenEXR, including the reference library and command-line EXR tools. Open source Official EXR · ASWF EXR inspection
OpenRV Open-source media review and playback player. Foundation of Autodesk RV, donated to ASWF. Open source Review Player · ASWF Sequence review, dailies playback
Shutter Encoder FFmpeg GUI with professional presets.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Conversion Tools		 Free FFmpeg GUI · Pro Presets Pro video encoding GUI
XnConvert Batch image converter, 80+ actions.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Conversion Tools		 Free Batch · 80+ Actions Batch image conversion
XnView MP Free image viewer and converter (500+ formats). Free Batch Convert · 500+ Formats Batch conversion, texture browsing
xStudio Open-source playback and review tool by DNEG. Notes, sessions, and pipeline integration for dailies. Open source Review Player · ASWF Dailies review, annotation

Related:

Game Engines: Free & Open Source

Free and open-source game engines.

Software Description License Tags Best For
A Frame An easy web framework for building 3D/AR/VR experiences. Open source WebXR · JavaScript Web AR/VR experiences
Armory3D Blender-integrated Haxe game engine. Open source Blender-Integrated · Haxe Blender-integrated game engine
axys A fork of Cocos2d-x-4.0, it has Full Support OpenAL for all platforms, single texture multi GPU texture handler and C++ 17. Open source
Babylon.js JavaScript 3D engine/framework for browser games and apps. Open source Browser · JavaScript Browser 3D apps/games
Bevy Rust data-driven ECS game engine. Open source Rust · ECS ECS architecture, data-driven games
Blend4Web JavaScript framework for interactive 3D in browsers. Blender integration. Open source Browser · Blender Integration Browser 3D from Blender
Blitz3D 3D BASIC-like programming language for fast 3D desktop games. Open source BASIC · Legacy BASIC 3D desktop games
Ceramic Haxe cross-platform 2D framework. Exports to Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, HTML5/WebGL, Unity. Open source Haxe · Cross-Platform 2D 2D cross-platform (Haxe)
Cocos Creator TypeScript mobile/web game engine. Open source Mobile/Web · TypeScript Mobile/web games (huge in China)
Cocos2d X C++ OpenGL 2D/3D engine with JS and Lua bindings. Targets all major mobile and desktop platforms. Open source C++ · Mobile Cross-platform 2D/3D mobile games
CopperCube CopperCube is an all-in-one 3D game engine. Very easy to use. Free No-Code · All-in-One No-code 3D games
CopperLicht JavaScript library and WebGL 3D engine for games and 3D applications. Unspecified
Coquette A micro framework for JavaScript games. Handles collision detection, the game update loop, canvas rendering, and keyboard and mouse input. Open source
Dash A free and open 3D game engine written in D. Open source D Language · Niche D-language 3D
Defold Lua-scripted engine for cross-platform 2D and 3D games, maintained by the Defold Foundation. Open source 2D Mobile · King (Candy Crush) Lightweight 2D and 3D games on mobile and web
Diligent Engine Modern cross-platform low-level graphics library supporting D3D11/12, OpenGL/GLES, and Vulkan. Open source Low-Level · Multi-API Low-level cross-API graphics
Ebitengine Open-source 2D game engine for the Go programming language. Open source Go · 2D Simple 2D games
Flax Engine High-fidelity 3D engine. Free for small studios. Open source High-Fidelity · C# + C++ High-fidelity 3D, free for small studios
FNA C# XNA reimplementation for ports. Open source XNA Port · Shipping Games XNA reimplementation for ports
Folded Paper Engine Blender-to-Godot game mechanics engine/plugins. 2.5D/FPS/TPS controls, triggers, inventory, holdable items. Open source Blender-to-Godot · No-Code Blender-Godot mechanics
Fusee A multiplatform 3D C# real-time engine with strong emphasis on content transformation. Open source C# · Multiplatform C# multiplatform 3D
Fyrox Rust 3D engine with scene editor. Open source Rust · Scene Editor 3D games with scene editor
gameplay A free, open-source, cross-platform, 2D + 3D game framework written in C++. It is aimed towards indie game developers who are creating desktop and mobile games. Open source
Godot 4 MIT-licensed 2D/3D engine. GDScript, C#, C++. Open source MIT-licensed · 2D + 3D 2D/3D indie games, MIT-licensed
Gorgon A 2D rendering API for.NET, written in C#. Open source
Harfang 3D C++ 3D visualization library usable in Python, Lua, and Go. Open source C++ · Visualization 3D visualization
Heaps.io Haxe engine. Dead Cells, Northgard. Open source Haxe · Dead Cells Shipping 2D/3D indie games
Irrlicht Open source high-performance realtime 3D engine (C++). Open source C++ · Classic Engine C++ realtime 3D (classic)
jMonkeyEngine 3 3D open-source game engine for Java developers. Open source Java · 3D Java 3D games
JPCT 3D engine for desktop Java and Android. Free Java · Android Java/Android 3D
Juno Framework for making 2D games with chunky pixels in Lua. Open source Lua · Pixel Art Pixel-art 2D in Lua
Leadwerks Easy-to-learn game engine for 3D and VR. Free Beginner-Friendly · VR Beginner 3D/VR
Love2D Free open-source framework for making 2D games in Lua. Open source Lua · Jam-Friendly 2D prototyping, game jams
LumixEngine 3D game engine built on C++. Open source C++ · Lightweight C++ 3D engine
Lums 2D/3D framework written in C++11. Efficient and modern. Heavy development. Open source C++11 · WIP Modern C++11 framework
Macroquad Rust minimal 2D/3D with WASM support. Open source Rust · WASM Minimal 2D/3D, WASM support
Magnum (site) Lightweight modular 2D/3D graphics/game engine written in C++11. Open source C++11 · Modular Lightweight modular C++ graphics
MonoGame C# XNA successor (Celeste, Stardew Valley). Open source XNA Successor · C# XNA successor
Neo Axis Engine Integrated development environment with built-in 3D and 2D game engine. Open source IDE-Integrated · C# Integrated 2D/3D IDE
O3DE AAA-grade Linux Foundation open-source engine. Open source AAA-grade · Linux Foundation AAA-grade, Linux Foundation
Ogre Open source graphical rendering engine (C++). Open source C++ · Rendering Engine C++ rendering engine
OpenXRay Community-modified X-Ray engine used in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game series. Open source Game Engine · Open Source
Overload 3D game engine with editor. Open source C++ · Editor 3D engine with editor
Panda3D Python-based 3D engine (originated at Disney VR Studio, now CMU ETC). Open source Python · Disney Origin Python 3D games
Phaser Open-source HTML5 2D game framework in JavaScript and TypeScript. Open source Open Source · JavaScript Browser 2D games
Pixel Vision 8 Teaches retro game development with streamlined workflows. 8-bit fantasy console. Open source Fantasy Console · 8-bit 8-bit fantasy console
PixiJS Newcomer HTML5 game renderer - first released in early 2013. A main appeal of the engine is its use of WebGL for faster performance. If WebGL isn't supported, the engine falls back to standard. Open source
Py Game CE Pygame - Community Edition is a FOSS Python library for multimedia applications (like games). Built on top of the excellent SDL library. Open source Python · Game Library
Raylib Minimal C library for learning game programming. Open source Library (not engine) · C Learning game programming, no engine overhead
s&box Facepunch engine on Source 2 with C# scripting, successor to Garry's Mod, with Steam export. Mixed Source 2 · C# Multiplayer sandbox games
Screen 13 Easy-to-use Vulkan rendering engine with render graph for Rust. Open source Rust · Vulkan Rust Vulkan rendering
Solar2D Lua 2D mobile framework (formerly Corona SDK). Open source 2D Mobile · Lua 2D mobile games
SpriteBuilder Open source game development suite for macOS. Open source Mac-only · 2D 2D games on Mac
Stage.js Lightweight and fast 2D HTML5 rendering and layout engine for cross-platform game development. Open source
Stride C# 3D game engine (formerly Xenko). Open source C# · 3D 3D games
Superpowers HTML5 Collaborative 2D/3D Game Maker. Open source games · opensource-alt
Three.js JavaScript 3D library. The standard for web 3D. Open source Browser · Standard JS 3D Web 3D graphics (broad)
Torque3D C++ engine with decades of Torque technology lineage. Open source C++ · Legacy C++ game engine
UPBGE (GitHub) Integrated game engine in Blender. Open source Blender-Integrated · Python Blender-integrated game engine
UPBGE (site) Open-source 3D game engine forked from old Blender Game Engine, deployed with Blender itself. GitHub Open source
Urho3D Cross-platform rendering and game engine. Open source C++ · Cross-Platform Cross-platform 2D/3D
ursina A game engine powered by Python and Panda3D. Open source Python · Prototyping Easy Python game prototyping
Whitestorm.js (GitHub) 3D JavaScript framework for building apps and games. Open source JavaScript · Browser Browser 3D apps
Wicked Engine Open-source C++ 3D engine with real-time path tracing, Lua scripting and VRM support. Open source Open Source · C++ Path-traced real-time projects
Wonderland Engine WebXR-focused engine with visual editor. Targets VR, AR, and standard browser 3D. Free for indies. Free tier WebXR · Editor WebXR apps, browser VR/AR

Game Engines: Commercial Free Tiers

Commercial engines with generous free tiers.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
Construct 3 Browser-based no-code 2D engine with visual scripting. Free tier No-code · Browser No-code 2D games, browser-based
CryEngine High-fidelity 3D engine, pay-what-you-want. Free tier High-Fidelity · PWYW High-fidelity 3D
Evergine Enterprise-focused graphics engine for 3D business and industry applications. Open source Enterprise · Industrial Enterprise 3D apps
GameMaker GML-based 2D engine (Undertale, Hotline Miami). Free tier 2D Focus · Indie Proven 2D games
GDevelop Open-source event-based no-code 2D. Open source No-code · Open Source Open-source no-code 2D
PlayCanvas JavaScript browser-based 3D engine. Free tier Browser-Based · JavaScript Browser-based 3D games
Ren'Py Python visual novel engine (industry standard). Open source Visual Novels · Industry Standard Visual novels
Roblox Studio Free Roblox editor for building, scripting in Luau and publishing multiplayer games. Free Free · Luau Roblox game creation
RPG Maker MZ JavaScript-based RPG creation. Paid RPG Focus · JavaScript RPG creation
SceneKit Apple proprietary 3D game engine (available on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS and watchOS). Free Apple-Native · Proprietary Apple ecosystem 3D games
Unbound SDF-based game development platform. Non-destructive real-time editing, Lua 5.3 scripting, FBX/glTF export. Early Access. Free tier SDF-Native · Early Access SDF-native game creation
UNIGINE C++/C# real-time engine for simulation, visualization and games, with double-precision large worlds. Community free under $200k revenue Free tier Freemium · Simulation Large-world simulation apps
Unity Cross-platform engine with massive asset store ecosystem (current major release Unity 6). Free tier Cross-Platform · XR Mobile, AR/VR, cross-platform
Unreal Engine 5 AAA engine from Epic. Free until $1M revenue, then royalty. Free tier AAA · Virtual Production AAA, film, virtual production

Material & Texture Creation Software

Material authoring, texture baking, and PBR painting tools.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
Agama Materials Software for creating PBR materials and painting 3d models. You can create materials and use them for painting models, or you can use pre-made textures.
See also: Modeling, Sculpting & Texturing → Material Creation Tools		 Paid
ArmorPaint Open-source texture painting.
See also: Modeling, Sculpting & Texturing → Material Creation Tools		 Open source Open Source · Painter-alt OSS texture painting
AwesomeBump Generate normal, height, specular or ambient occlusion textures from a single image.
See also: Modeling, Sculpting & Texturing → Material Creation Tools		 Open source
Filter Forge Node-based filter editor with library of thousands of textures and photo effects; standalone or Photoshop/Affinity plugin.
See also: Modeling, Sculpting & Texturing → Material Creation Tools		 Paid Procedural · PS Plugin Procedural textures and photo filters
Game Texture Viewer Fast, reliable, and simple tool for viewing PBR texture sets.
See also: Modeling, Sculpting & Texturing → Material Creation Tools		 Free
Live Normal An Android and iOS app for generating materials on the go. You take a photo, and Live Normal creates a tile-able texture and generates texture maps ready for a PBR engine of your choice.
See also: Modeling, Sculpting & Texturing → Material Creation Tools		 Free tier
Mari Foundry's high-resolution 3D texture painting app, film-VFX standard for hero assets.
See also: Modeling, Sculpting & Texturing → Material Creation Tools		 Indie perpetual $149; Individual $299/yr; Studio $1,289/yr Paid Industry Standard · Hero Texturing Film-VFX texture painting at hero resolution
Material Maker Open-source procedural texture generator (Substance Designer alternative).
See also: Modeling, Sculpting & Texturing → Material Creation Tools		 Open source Open Source · SD Alternative Procedural PBR materials, free
Materialize Free texture map generation from a single image.
See also: Modeling, Sculpting & Texturing → Material Creation Tools		 Free Free · Map Generation Generating normal/height/AO maps
Mixos Browser-based 3D texture painting and PBR material authoring with AI auto-texturing and a pre-made material library.
See also: Modeling, Sculpting & Texturing → Material Creation Tools		 Free tier (watermarked beta); Pro $9/mo; Studio $19/mo Free tier Browser PBR · AI Texturing Browser-based PBR texture painting
PixPlant Windows tool that turns photos into tileable PBR materials. Paid Paid · Windows Photo to tileable material
ShaderMap Windows tool that generates normal, displacement and PBR maps from textures and models. Free non-commercial, Pro $29 Free tier Freemium · Windows Generating PBR texture maps
Substance 3D Sampler Adobe app that turns photos and scans into tiling materials, meshes and HDR lights.
See also: Modeling, Sculpting & Texturing → Material Creation Tools		 Substance 3D Collection $59.99/mo Paid Subscription · Adobe Photo to material
Substance Designer Node-based procedural texturing.
See also: Modeling, Sculpting & Texturing → Material Creation Tools		 Paid Procedural · Industry Standard Procedural PBR materials
Substance Painter Industry-standard 3D texture painting with smart materials.
See also: Modeling, Sculpting & Texturing → Material Creation Tools		 Paid Industry Standard · PBR Painter 3D texture painting
Texelpaint3D Paint directly on 3D model faces without UV unwrapping. 1-pixel-per-triangle workflow.
See also: Modeling, Sculpting & Texturing → Material Creation Tools		 Free No-UV · Early Access UV-free 3D painting
TextureLab Tool designed to make procedural texture generation.
See also: Modeling, Sculpting & Texturing → Material Creation Tools		 Free
xNormal Free high-poly to low-poly baking (normals, AO, cavity).
See also: Modeling, Sculpting & Texturing → Material Creation Tools		 Free Baking · Free Texture baking

Photogrammetry & Scanning Software

Photogrammetry, structure-from-motion, and 3D scanning apps.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
3DF Zephyr Free lite version (up to 50 photos).
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Photogrammetry & 3D Scanning		 Free tier Free Lite · 50 Photos Lite photogrammetry
3DF Zephyr Free Free version of 3DF Zephyr photogrammetry software for personal use. It comes with some limitations.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Photogrammetry & 3D Scanning		 Free Free · Personal Use Free photogrammetry
Agisoft Metashape Professional photogrammetry with GIS features.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Photogrammetry & 3D Scanning		 Paid GIS Features · Pro Pro photogrammetry + GIS
CloudCompare A 3D point cloud (and triangular mesh) processing software. Open-source and designed for visualizing and editing LiDAR and photogrammetry data. Good for alignment, meshing, cleanup, segmentation, a.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Photogrammetry & 3D Scanning		 Open source Open Source · Point Cloud Point cloud and mesh processing
COLMAP A general-purpose Structure-from-Motion (SfM) and Multi-View Stereo (MVS) pipeline with a graphical and command-line interface.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Photogrammetry & 3D Scanning		 Open source Photogrammetry · Open Source Photogrammetry SfM/MVS reconstruction
DJI Terra Drone mapping and photogrammetry software that outputs meshes, point clouds and Gaussian splats. From $3,700/yr Paid Paid · Drone Drone survey reconstruction
iTwin Capture Modeler (Bentley) Bentley reality modeling that builds meshes and Gaussian splats from photos and lidar. Free tier Freemium · Bentley Large-scale reality meshes
KIRI Engine Cross-platform mobile photogrammetry.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Photogrammetry & 3D Scanning		 Free tier Cross-platform · Mobile Cross-platform mobile photogrammetry
Meshroom (AliceVision) Free, open-source photogrammetry. Node-based, GPU-accelerated.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Photogrammetry & 3D Scanning		 Open source Open Source · Node-based Open-source photogrammetry
MicMac Free open-source photogrammetric suite that can be used in a variety of 3D reconstruction scenarios. Open source
Open Scan Tools A collection of open-source tools for photogrammetry, depth-sensing, and 3D reconstruction workflows. Nice rendering options for xray style.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Photogrammetry & 3D Scanning		 Open source Open Source · Toolkit Open-source scan toolkit
PCL (Point Cloud Library) Large-scale open project for 2D/3D image and point cloud processing.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Photogrammetry & 3D Scanning		 Open source Point Clouds · Open Source Point cloud processing
Polycam Mobile photogrammetry (iOS LiDAR + photo, Android photo). Cloud processing.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Photogrammetry & 3D Scanning		 Free tier Mobile · LiDAR Mobile photogrammetry
Postshot Desktop Gaussian Splatting tool. Train, clean, edit, export.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Photogrammetry & 3D Scanning		 Free tier Desktop · Splat Editor Desktop Gaussian splat
Quixel Megascans World’s largest photogrammetry 2D and 3D asset library. Now it is free for the Epic Games accounts (only UE projects).
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Photogrammetry & 3D Scanning		 Free Asset Library · Epic Games Photogrammetry asset library
RealityCapture Fast, high-quality photogrammetry (now Epic Games). PPI pricing.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Photogrammetry & 3D Scanning		 Free tier Epic Games · High-Quality Production photogrammetry
Scaniverse (Niantic) Free mobile scanning, Gaussian splat support.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Photogrammetry & 3D Scanning		 Free Free Mobile · Gaussian Splat Mobile scan, Gaussian splat

Related:

Matchmoving & Camera Tracking Software

3D camera tracking, matchmove, and lens-distortion tools.

Software Description License Tags Best For
3DEqualizer High-end matchmoving (major VFX studios).
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Matchmoving & Camera Tracking		 Paid High-End · Studio Standard High-end matchmove
fSpy Free, open-source single-image camera matching → Blender.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Matchmoving & Camera Tracking		 Open source Free · Blender Bridge Free single-image cam match
PFTrack Professional matchmoving, object tracking, mesh generation.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Matchmoving & Camera Tracking		 Paid Matchmove · Pro Pro matchmove
SynthEyes Camera tracking with lens distortion solving.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Matchmoving & Camera Tracking		 Paid Lens Distortion · Pro Camera tracking + distortion

Related:

Retopology & UV Software

Standalone retopology, remeshing, and UV unwrapping/packing tools.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
3D Coat Sculpt, retopo, UV, and PBR paint suite from Pilgway. Voxel and surface sculpt, AUTOPO auto-retopo, manual quad retopo, UV unwrap, bake.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Retopology & Mesh Tools, Software Reference → 3D Software: Paid		 ~$379 perpetual (Educational $99) Paid Sculpt + Retopo · PBR Paint Sculpt + retopo + UV + PBR paint in one app
3D Coat Print Free 3DCoat build for sculpting models to 3D print. Exports are capped at 40K triangles. Free Free Voxel Sculpt · 3D Print 3D-print sculpting
3D Coat Textura Texturing-only variant of 3D Coat. PBR paint and bake, no sculpt or retopo modules. ~$199 perpetual Paid PBR Paint Only · Standalone Standalone PBR texture painting
AutoRemesher Open-source auto-retopology tool intended to convert source meshes into clean, animation-friendly all-quad geometry.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Retopology & Mesh Tools		 Open source Free · Auto Retopo Auto-retopology
Headus UVLayout Standalone UV editor, flatten-based.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → UV Tools		 Paid Flatten-based · Classic Flatten-based UV editor
Instant Meshes Free, open-source auto-retopology.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Retopology & Mesh Tools		 Open source Free · Auto Retopo Auto-retopology
RizomUV Fast UV unwrapping, auto-seam, auto-pack. Standalone or bridge.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → UV Tools		 Paid Industry Standard · Standalone Fast pro UV unwrapping
Topogun Standalone retopology and baking.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Retopology & Mesh Tools		 Paid Retopo + Bake · Classic Retopo + baking
UVPackmaster Advanced UV packing, UDIM support. Blender addon + standalone.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → UV Tools		 Paid UDIM · Packing UV packing + UDIM
Wrap (Faceform) Node-based topology transfer that fits a base mesh onto scans or sculpts. Indie $570, Pro $1,070 perpetual Paid Paid · Scans Scan topology transfer

Related:

Virtual Production Software

Virtual production, broadcast graphics, and real-time stage tooling.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
ARwall LED virtual production stages and ARFX Pro plugin. Paid Indie VP · LED Stages Indie LED VP
Aximmetry Virtual production and broadcast compositor with Unreal integration. Free Community tier. Free tier Free Tier · Unreal Indie/community VP compositor
Brainstorm InfinitySet Virtual set and AR for broadcast. Paid Virtual Sets · AR Broadcast virtual sets
Chaos Arena Ray-traced in-camera VFX that plays V-Ray scenes on LED volumes without a game engine. Paid Paid · V-Ray LED volume rendering
disguise LED-wall and xR virtual production platform with RenderStream.
See also: VFX, Compositing & Virtual Production → Virtual Production		 Paid LED Walls · Workflow LED wall virtual production
grandMA3 Industry-standard lighting control console and software for live shows, theatre, and broadcast. Paid Lighting Console · Show Control Stage lighting control, show programming
Live FX (Assimilate) Virtual production tool for live keying, compositing, DMX image-based lighting and LED playback. From $345/mo or $2,495 perpetual Paid Paid · LED Wall Live on-set compositing
MotionBuilder Autodesk real-time character animation and mocap editing platform.
See also: Software Reference → 3D Software: Paid		 $2,225/yr Paid Industry Standard · Mocap Mocap cleanup, real-time character animation
Notch Real-time graphics for live events and virtual production.
See also: VFX, Compositing & Virtual Production → Virtual Production		 Paid Live Events · Real-time Live events, real-time graphics
Nuke Stage Foundry tool for real-time LED-wall playback with live compositing and USD layout. Paid Paid · Foundry LED wall playback
Pixotope Real-time AR and virtual studio platform built on Unreal Engine.
See also: VFX, Compositing & Virtual Production → Virtual Production		 Paid VP Software · Real-time Virtual production
Smode Real-time 2D/3D creation, compositing, and video-mapping engine. Paid Real-time · Video Mapping
Vizrt Real-time broadcast graphics and virtual studio platform.
See also: VFX, Compositing & Virtual Production → Virtual Production		 Paid Broadcast · Graphics Broadcast graphics
Zero Density Real-time VFX engine for broadcast and virtual production.
See also: VFX, Compositing & Virtual Production → Virtual Production		 Paid Real-time VFX · Broadcast Broadcast VP

Related:

Level Design & Map Editing Software

Standalone level editors and tile/grid map authoring tools.

Software Description License Tags Best For
LDtk Modern 2D level editor by Dead Cells creator.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Level Design		 Open source 2D Levels · Dead Cells Creator 2D level design
Mappy Free tile map editor for building 2D and isometric game maps in the FMP format.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Level Design		 Free
OGMO Editor 3 Free project-based 2D level editor with grid and entity layers.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Level Design		 Open source
Sprite Fusion A free level design tool to craft beautiful 2D tilemaps right in your browser using any tileset.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Level Design		 Free
Tiled General-purpose tilemap editor. TMX format.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Level Design		 Open source Tilemap Editor · TMX Tilemap editing
TrenchBroom Quake-style level editor, great for blockouts.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Level Design		 Open source Blockouts · Quake-style Blockouts, Quake-style levels

Related:

Pipeline & Production Management Software

Production tracking, render farm management, asset pipeline orchestration.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
Anchorpoint Git/Perforce GUI built for artists. Handles large binary assets cleanly. Free / from $14/mo Free tier Git/Perforce GUI · Artist VCS Artist-friendly VCS frontend
Articy:draft Professional narrative design middleware.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Dialogue & Narrative		 Paid Middleware · Pro Professional narrative middleware
Autodesk Flow Capture Live on-set dailies platform (formerly Moxion). Paid On-Set Dailies · Was Moxion On-set dailies
AYON (Ynput) Open-source VFX/animation pipeline platform; successor to OpenPype (archived). Open source Open Pipeline · VFX Studio Open-source studio pipeline
Cerebro Russian-origin production tracker with built-in messenger and review. Paid Tracker + Chat · Studio Tool Tracker + messenger combo
CGAL A software project that provides easy access to efficient and reliable geometric algorithms in the form of a C++ library.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Open source Geometry Lib · Open Source Computational geometry algorithms
CGRU CG tools pack that includes AFANASY, a free open-source render farm manager.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Open source Render Farm · Open Source Open-source render farm
Cinesync Backlight synced remote review for distributed teams. Paid Backlight · Synced Review Synced remote review
Coalition Render-farm manager from Mercenaries Engineering (makers of Guerilla Render).
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Open source Render Farm · Guerilla-adjacent Small-studio render farm
Colorfront On-set dailies and transcode platform used on major features. Paid On-Set Dailies · Feature Films On-set dailies + transcode
Deadline (AWS Thinkbox) Render farm manager. Free since v10.1.23. Deadline 10 in maintenance mode (Nov 2025); AWS pushing managed Deadline Cloud. Free Render Farm · Free On-prem render farm management
Diversion Cloud version control built for large binary art repositories. Free tier / paid plans Free tier Cloud VCS · Large Binaries Cloud binary VCS
DoTracking Browser animation production tracker. Episodes, scenes, shot status, revisions. Files stay local. Free Tracking · Browser Free animation production tracking
Epic Online Services Free multiplayer, matchmaking, voice chat.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Networking & Multiplayer		 Free Free EOS · Matchmaking/Voice Free multiplayer services
Filestage Generic creative review and approval workflow. Paid Review Workflow · Generic Multi-format creative review
FilmLight Daylight Dailies and conform sibling of Baselight, from FilmLight. Paid FilmLight · Dailies/Conform Dailies + conform
Flamenco (Blender render farm) Blender Foundation's free render-farm manager.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Open source Render Farm · Blender Blender render farm
Flamenco (flamenco.io) From the Blender Foundation.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Open source Render Farm · Blender Blender render farm
Flow Production Tracking (Autodesk) Production tracking and review for film/TV/games. Renamed from ShotGrid in March 2024. Paid Industry Standard · Production Tracking Studio production tracking and review
Foundry Katana Look-development and lighting orchestration tool for film/episodic VFX, scaling to massive scenes via deferred evaluation.
See also: Lighting, Rendering & Shaders → 3D Lighting: Production		 Paid Industry Standard · Lookdev/Lighting Film lookdev and lighting at scale
Frame.io Adobe-owned review and collaboration platform for video and motion teams. Free / from $15/mo Free tier Adobe · Cloud Review Cloud review/approval
ftrack Production tracking and review software for managing tasks, schedules and media in VFX and animation studios.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Paid Production Tracking · Pro Production tracking
Gaffer (GafferHQ compositing) Gaffer is a great toolbox, it's a VFX application that enables look developers, lighters, and compositors to easily build, tweak, iterate, and render scenes.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Open source Look Dev · Open Source Look dev / lighting / compositing
Godot Game Tools Blender addon that eases Mixamo animation import into Godot.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Free Mixamo-to-Godot animation import
Golaem (Autodesk) Crowd simulation for Maya. Now bundled into Autodesk Media & Entertainment Collection; built into Maya 2026. Bundled in Autodesk M&E Collection ($335/mo or $2,700/yr) Paid Crowd Sim · Maya Maya crowd simulation
Hansoft (Perforce) Agile PM for games and VFX studios. Paid Perforce · Agile PM Agile PM for games/VFX
Houdini Engine (SideFX product) Procedural generation pipeline for Unreal/Unity/Godot.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: AI & Procedural Generation		 Paid Procedural Pipeline · Multi-Engine Procedural pipeline in-engine
Kitsu (CGWire) Open-source production tracker from CGWire for managing animation and VFX tasks, assets and reviews.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Open source Open Source · Tracking Open-source production tracking
Massive AI-driven crowd simulation pioneered on Lord of the Rings; Massive Prime + plugins for Maya/Max.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Miscellaneous 3D Tools & Utilities		 Paid Industry Standard · Crowd Sim Feature-film crowd simulation
Medieval Fantasy City Generator Browser tool that generates random medieval city map layouts.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Free Procedural city map reference
Nakama Open-source game server (social, matchmaking, leaderboards).
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Networking & Multiplayer		 Open source Social Server · Matchmaking Social game server
NIM Studio management for shot tracking, scheduling, bidding, timecards and review. Paid Paid · Production Tracking Studio production tracking
Open3D Modern library for 3D data processing. Point clouds, meshes, voxels, reconstruction.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Open source 3D Data Processing · Open Source 3D data processing (Python/C++)
OpenCue (docs) Open-source render management.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Open source Render Farm · Open Source Render farm management
OpenTimelineIO (site) Open-source API and file format from Pixar for exchanging editorial timelines between video and audio tools.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Open source Editorial · Open Source Editorial timeline interchange
Ornatrix (Ephere) Hair, fur, and feather plugin for 3ds Max, Maya, C4D, and Unreal. Paid Grooming · Multi-Host Cross-host grooming
Pandora Open-Source Renderfarm-Manager.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Open source Render Farm · Open Source Indie render farm management
Perforce Helix Core Industry standard for large assets (free ≤5 users).
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Version Control		 Free tier Industry Standard · Free ≤5 users Large-asset VCS
Photon Engine Cloud multiplayer (PUN, Fusion, Quantum SDKs).
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Networking & Multiplayer		 Free tier Cloud Multiplayer · Unity/Unreal Cloud multiplayer
Plastic SCM / Unity Version Control Artist-friendly binary version control.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Version Control		 Free tier Artist-Friendly · Unity-Integrated Artist-friendly VCS
Prism Pipeline Animation and VFX pipeline.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Free tier Pipeline · Free Core Indie/small studio pipeline
Qube! Render farm manager that queues and distributes jobs across Windows, Linux and macOS workers. Supervisor $500/yr, worker $100/yr Paid Paid · Render Farm Render farm job queuing
Royal Render Per-node render farm manager for VFX/animation pipelines. Paid Render Farm · Studio Studio render farm management
RV (Autodesk/Tweak) Standard playback and review tool, free for personal use; paid for studios. Free tier Pro Playback · Tweak/Autodesk Pro image-sequence review/playback
SmartFoxServer 2X A SDK for rapidly developing multiplayer games and applications with Adobe Flash/Flex/Air, Unity, HTML5, iOS, Windows Phone 8, Android, Java, Windows 8, C++.
See also: Game Development → Game Dev Tools: Networking & Multiplayer		 Free tier
Sohonet ClearView Flex Low-latency remote color/review streaming for distributed post. Paid Remote Color · Streaming Remote color/review streaming
SyncSketch Autodesk browser-based review and annotation for animation and VFX. Free / from $17/mo Free tier Autodesk · Browser Review Browser review/annotate
TerraForge3D A procedural terrain generation and procedural modeling toolkit.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Open source
Tik Manager (GitHub) Artist friendly asset and pipeline manager.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Open source Pipeline · Open Source Asset/pipeline management for small teams
Tik Manager (site) Artist-friendly asset and pipeline manager.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Scene & Pipeline Tools		 Free tier Pipeline · Asset Mgmt Asset/pipeline management
Tractor (Pixar) Pixar's render queue/dispatch system, bundled with RenderMan licensing. Paid RenderMan · Render Farm RenderMan-centric farm dispatch
Visual Studio (Windows) Official supported IDE for Unity in Windows platform. Mac version here.
See also: Game Development → Unity Engine: Resources		 Free tier unity-plugin
Yeti (Peregrine Labs) Maya plugin for fur, feathers, and procedural instancing. Paid Grooming · Maya Plugin Hero grooms and procedural instancing in Maya

Related:

Misc 3D Utilities Software

Reference, scattering, simulation, and specialty 3D utilities.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
ArtDeck Reference boards for images, video, links, and notes. Study tools for value, color, composition, and motion.
See also: Art, Design & Visual Storytelling → Pre-Production, Storyboarding & Script Tools		 $5.99 one-time Paid Apple-only · Study Tools Reference boards and image study
Blockbench Free low-poly/voxel 3D modeler.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Miscellaneous 3D Tools & Utilities		 Free Low-poly · Voxel Low-poly / voxel modeling
darktable Open-source RAW photo editor for reference/texture processing.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Miscellaneous 3D Tools & Utilities		 Open source RAW Editor · Open Source RAW processing
Dust3D Open-source quick base mesh generation.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Miscellaneous 3D Tools & Utilities		 Open source Base Meshes · Open Source Base mesh generation
Gaea Terrain generation tool (free community edition).
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Miscellaneous 3D Tools & Utilities		 Free tier Terrain Gen · Free Community Terrain generation
Gl Ch Ao S.P RealTime 3D Strange Attractors scout on GPU.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Miscellaneous 3D Tools & Utilities		 Open source Strange Attractors · GPU
HDR Light Studio Interactive HDRI editing and relighting tool for 3D. Bridges to Maya, 3ds Max, Houdini, Cinema 4D, Modo, Blender.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Photogrammetry & 3D Scanning		 Paid HDRI Editor · DCC Bridges HDRI relighting in 3D
Hesiod Free open-source node-based procedural terrain/heightmap generator.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Miscellaneous 3D Tools & Utilities		 Open source Terrain Gen · Node-based Procedural terrain
IFS Renderer Free GPU-accelerated fractal renderer with HDR/EXR export.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Miscellaneous 3D Tools & Utilities		 Free Fractals · HDR/EXR Fractal rendering
Instant Terra Node-based terrain generator with real-time preview, erosion and Unreal and Houdini plugins. From $149 perpetual Paid Paid · Nodes Node-based terrain
Isadora Node-based real-time media and show control software for live performance. $199/yr or $725 perpetual Paid Paid · Show Control Live performance media
JanusVR Webpages as collaborative 3D webspaces interconnected by portals. Open source
KodeLife Real-time shader editor supporting GLSL, HLSL, and Metal, with a UI for creating and testing shaders. Unspecified
MeshLab Open-source mesh processing, essential for photogrammetry cleanup.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Miscellaneous 3D Tools & Utilities		 Open source Mesh Processing · Photogrammetry Mesh processing
NAP Open source C++ platform for real-time control and visualization, with a Vulkan renderer. Built for professional installations. Open source Framework · Vulkan
OBS Studio Free screen recording/streaming. Essential for tutorials.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Miscellaneous 3D Tools & Utilities		 Open source Recording · Streaming Screen recording, streaming
Photopea Free browser-based Photoshop alternative with full PSD support.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Miscellaneous 3D Tools & Utilities, Art, Design & Visual Storytelling → Design Tools		 Free PSD · Browser Quick PSD editing
Pixie Pixie is a photorealistic renderer that uses a Pixar's RenderMan-like interface.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Miscellaneous 3D Tools & Utilities		 Open source RenderMan-like · Renderer
Plasticity NURBS/CAD-style modeler tuned for artists and concept work; perpetual license w/ 12-month maintenance.
See also: Software Reference → 3D Software: Paid		 Indie/Studio perpetual; Indie→Studio upgrade $125 Paid NURBS · Concept/Hard-Surface Hard-surface concept, product design
Polygonjs Node-based WebGL design tool, used for procedural geometry, particles, materials.
See also: Lighting, Rendering & Shaders → Rendering & Shader Theory		 Free tier
PureRef Floating reference canvas. Standard for artists.
See also: Art, Design & Visual Storytelling → Pre-Production, Storyboarding & Script Tools		 Free tier Pay What You Want · Std Artist Tool Reference canvas
ShareX Free Windows screen capture with recording and annotation.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Miscellaneous 3D Tools & Utilities		 Open source Screen Capture · Windows Screen capture, annotation
shoebot Python creative-coding environment for vector graphics and animation. Open source Creative Coding · Python
Storm HydroFX Real-time liquid and fluid simulation tool.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Miscellaneous 3D Tools & Utilities		 Paid Fluids · FX Fluid simulation
Structure Synth Generates 3D structures from a design grammar. Open source Generative · 3D Structures
Synesthesia Audio-reactive VJ software built on GLSL scenes. From $199 perpetual Paid Paid · VJ Audio-reactive visuals
Terragen Procedural terrain, atmosphere and cloud generator and renderer for photoreal landscapes. Free non-commercial, Pro $199 perpetual Free tier Freemium · Landscapes Photoreal landscape renders
tlRender Timeline render, is an early stage project for rendering editorial timelines.
See also: Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Miscellaneous 3D Tools & Utilities		 Open source Timeline · Editorial
VNyan Take your 3d VTubing to the next level. Free VTubing · Free 3D VTubing
vvvv Visual live-programming environment on .NET for real-time graphics and installations. Free, non-commercial Non-Commercial · .NET Real-time installations
World Creator GPU terrain generator with erosion, water and snow simulation, scattering and a path tracer. Paid Paid · GPU Terrain generation
Zdog Pseudo-3D engine for canvas and SVG. Open source Pseudo-3D · Canvas

Related:

Scientific & Medical Visualization Software

Molecular, volumetric, medical, astronomy, CFD, GIS, and data viz tools, plus DCC bridges and educators.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
3D Slicer Medical image computing platform. Segmentation, 3D reconstruction, surgical planning. Open source Medical Imaging · Open Source Medical image segmentation
Ansys EnSight Large-dataset CFD/CAE visualization. Paid Ansys · Large Data Large CFD datasets
Avogadro Cross-platform chemistry builder and editor. Open source Chemistry · Educational Chemistry building
Celestia Real-time 3D space simulator. Open source Space Sim · Educational Educational space sim
Discovery Studio Visualizer BIOVIA pharma-oriented molecular viewer. Free download. Free Pharma · Free Pharma molecular viewing
Drishti ANU volume exploration and presentation tool. Open source Volume · Academic Volume rendering / presentation
FieldView Intelligent Light CFD visualization. Paid CFD · Aerospace CFD visualization
Gaia Sky ESA Gaia mission 3D star explorer. Open source ESA Gaia · VR Gaia star catalog exploration
Google Earth Studio Browser animation tool over Google Earth imagery. Free Earth Animation · Browser Earth-overlay animation
Horos Open DICOM viewer for macOS. OsiriX fork. Open source DICOM · Mac Mac DICOM viewing
ImageJ / Fiji Microscopy image analysis with 3D viewer plugins. Open source Microscopy · Plugins Microscopy + bioimage analysis
Inviwo Interactive Visualization Workshop. Node-graph scientific viz. Open source Node Graph · Academic Node-based scientific viz
ITK-SNAP Semi-automatic medical image segmentation. Open source Medical · Segmentation Medical segmentation
Jmol / JSmol Java/JS molecular viewer suitable for web embedding. Open source Web Embed · Java Web-embeddable molecule viewer
kepler.gl Uber's WebGL geospatial data visualization. Open source WebGL · Geo Dataviz Geo dataviz
Mol* RCSB PDB's WebGL molecular viewer, successor to NGL. Open source WebGL · RCSB PDB Web molecular viz
MolView Web-based molecule sketcher and 3D viewer. Open source Browser · Educational Browser molecule sketching
napari Python n-dimensional image viewer for microscopy and bioimaging with a plugin system. Open source Open Source · Python Microscopy image viewing
NASA Eyes Browser 3D solar system and mission explorer. Free NASA · Browser NASA mission exploration
NGL Viewer WebGL molecular viewer, Jupyter-friendly. Open source WebGL · Jupyter Jupyter molecular viz
OVITO Visualization and analysis of atomistic and particle simulation data, with a Python module. Free tier Freemium · Python Particle simulation visualization
ParaView Kitware large-scale scientific visualization, VTK frontend. Open source Kitware · Large Data Large-scale scientific viz
PyMOL Python-scriptable molecular viewer. Industry standard for protein figures and animations. Open Source fork free / Schrödinger commercial license Mixed Molecular · Python Protein/molecule visualization
QGIS Open desktop GIS with 3D map view. Open source GIS · Open Source Open desktop GIS
SpaceEngine Procedural universe. Used by VFX teams for plates and reference. ~$25 perpetual Paid Procedural Universe · VFX Plates Procedural universe simulation
Stellarium Planetarium for desktop and web. Open source Planetarium · Free Sky simulation
Tecplot 360 CFD post-processing standard. Paid CFD · Engineering CFD post-processing
UCSF ChimeraX UCSF next-gen molecular visualization with VR support. Replaces Chimera. Free Academic · VR-ready Molecular viz + VR
Universe Sandbox Physics-based space sandbox. ~$30 perpetual Paid Physics · Education Physics-based astrophysics demos
VisIt LLNL parallel visualization and analysis tool for large simulation meshes. Open source Open Source · HPC Large simulation visualization
VMD UIUC molecular dynamics trajectory visualizer. Free Molecular Dynamics · Academic MD trajectory visualization
VolView Browser-based DICOM volume renderer (Kitware). Open source Browser · DICOM Browser DICOM volume
WorldWide Telescope Astronomy visualization with sky and 3D modes. Open source Astronomy · MIT Astronomy education
YASARA Molecular modeling and simulation suite. Free view-only, paid full versions. Free tier MD + Viz · Commercial Molecular dynamics + viz

Related:

Software Reference: Legacy & Defunct

Historically significant 3D, VFX, rendering, and post software that is discontinued, sunset, or archival.

Software Description License Tags Best For
USAnimation / Toonz (legacy) Softimage → Digital Video → Dwango. Open-sourced as OpenToonz 2016. Ghibli's pipeline. Open source Now OpenToonz · Ghibli Ghibli pipeline lineage

Related:

AI Image & Texture Generation Software

AI image generation and AI texture/material generation tools.

Software Description License Tags Best For
Adobe Firefly 3 Commercial-safe, deep Creative Cloud integration.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Paid Commercial-Safe · Adobe CC Commercial-safe Adobe workflows
Adobe Firefly Textures Prompt-to-edit texture workflows.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Texture & Material Generation		 Paid Adobe · Prompt-to-Edit Adobe-integrated AI textures
Aga Miko/pixel Character Generator Generating retro pixel game characters with Generative Adversarial Networks. Dataset "TinyHero" included.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Open source
chaiNNer Node-based desktop app that chains AI upscaling and image-processing models for batch work.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI-Assisted CG Tools		 Open source Open Source · Nodes Batch AI upscaling
CHORD (Ubisoft La Forge) Ubisoft research model that turns one texture image into a set of PBR material maps.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Texture & Material Generation		 Free, non-commercial Non-Commercial · PBR Image to PBR maps
ComfyUI Node-based AI generator for image/video/3D/audio.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → ComfyUI Ecosystem		 Open source Node-based · Multi-modal Node-based AI workflows
FLUX.2 (Black Forest Labs) Open-weight photorealism with Kontext editing.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Free tier Open Weight · Photoreal Open-weight photorealism
GPT Image (OpenAI) Instruction-following image model with strong text rendering. GPT Image 1.5.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Paid OpenAI · Text Rendering Instruction following
Grok Aurora (xAI) Photorealistic image gen integrated into Grok.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Paid xAI · Photoreal Photorealism in Grok
HunyuanDiT (Tencent) Open-source DiT-based, strong Chinese text.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Open source Tencent · DiT Chinese text rendering
Ideogram 2.0 Best-in-class typography and text rendering, canvas mode.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Free tier Typography · Text Rendering Typography in images
Imagen Google photoreal image model via Gemini and Vertex.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Paid Photoreal · Google Photoreal image gen
InstaMAT Material authoring with AI workflows (Substance alternative).
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Texture & Material Generation		 Paid Substance-alt · AI Workflows AI-assisted material authoring
Jimeng / Dreamina (ByteDance) High quality, integrated with video pipeline.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Free tier ByteDance · Video Pipeline Integrated image + video pipeline
Kolors (Kuaishou) Open-source, bilingual Chinese/English.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Open source Open Source · Bilingual Bilingual open model
Krea AI Real-time generation, upscaling, and style transfer platform.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Free tier Real-time · Upscaling Real-time + upscaling
Leonardo AI Real-time generation with artistic control.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Free tier Real-time · Controlled Controlled artistic generation
Meshy Textures Integrated with 3D pipeline.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Texture & Material Generation		 Free tier Meshy Pipeline · Integrated Textures tied to Meshy 3D
Midjourney v7 Industry-leading artistic coherence and stylized output.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Paid Artistic · Subscription Artistic and stylized imagery
Nano Banana Pro (Google Gemini) Instruction-based editing with character and product consistency across edits.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Free tier Consistency · Editing Consistency editing
Playground v3 Mixed-mode design canvas for graphic design.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Free tier Design Canvas · Mixed-mode Graphic design canvas
Poly AI-generated PBR textures and materials, tileable with full map sets.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Texture & Material Generation		 Free tier AI PBR · Tileable AI PBR textures
Ponzu AI texture gen from text prompts for uploaded meshes.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Texture & Material Generation		 Free tier Mesh-aware · Text→Tex Mesh-aware AI textures
Recraft V3 Design-oriented gen. Vector, icons, brand assets.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Free tier Design Focus · Vector Design assets, vectors
Reve Image model with strong prompt adherence.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Free tier Prompt Adherence Prompt adherence
Scenario Game-ready PBR materials, full map sets.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Texture & Material Generation		 Paid Game-Ready · Full Maps Game-ready AI materials
Snowpixel Generate Images/Videos/Animations/Audio/Music/3D Objects with Text and/or Image. Upload your own data to create custom models.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Free tier
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Open-source diffusion (Large, Medium, Turbo sizes).
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Image Generation		 Open source Open Source · Self-Host Self-hosted image gen

Related:

AI Video Generation Software

AI text-to-video and image-to-video generation tools.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
Beeble AI relighting for footage that extracts normal, albedo and depth passes. Web app plus local Beeble Studio.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Cloud from $16/mo, Studio from $42/mo Paid Paid · Relighting Footage relighting
Cog Video X Tsinghua/Zhipu open-source, multiple sizes.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Open source Open Source · Tsinghua Research open-source video gen
Cuebric AI tool that turns images into layered 2.5D environments for LED-wall virtual production.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Paid Paid · LED Wall 2.5D virtual production plates
Drawstory Cinematography and story sequencing with strong character continuity.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Free tier Cinematography · Continuity Character continuity
Frameo Script to cinematic video with scenes, characters, audio, and timeline assembly.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Free tier Script to Video · Timeline Structured film pipeline
Genmo Mochi 1 Open-source video gen model.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Open source Open Source · Genmo Open-source video gen
Google Flow Filmmaking app over Veo with scenebuilder and ingredients-to-video.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Paid Filmmaking · Scenebuilder Veo filmmaking app
Hailuo AI / MiniMax "Director" model. Strong motion and character consistency.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Free tier Director Model · Character Consist Directed motion
Haiper Ex-DeepMind team, animation and video-to-video modes.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Free tier Ex-DeepMind · V2V Video-to-video
HeyGen AI avatar marketing videos with a talking-head focus.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Free tier Avatars Avatar videos
HunyuanVideo 1.5 Open-source 8.3B params, runs on 14GB VRAM.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Open source Open Source · 14GB VRAM Self-hosted video gen
InVideo AI Prompt to video for marketing and social content.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Free tier Marketing Marketing and social video
Kling 3.0 Up to 5min clips, strong human motion. Motion Brush control.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Free tier 5min Clips · Motion Brush Long clips, human motion
LTX Studio Pre-production to video pipeline with storyboards, character consistency, and timeline.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Free tier Pre-production · Storyboards Script to video pipeline
LTX-2 (Lightricks) Fast open video model. LTX-2 Fast ranks top-3 in the arena.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Open source Open Source · Fast Fast open-source video gen
Luma Dream Machine Atmospheric image-to-video. Ray3 is the first native 16-bit HDR video model.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Free tier HDR · Atmospheric Atmospheric video gen
MAGI-1 (Sand AI) Open autoregressive video model that generates and extends clips chunk by chunk.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Open source Open Source · Video Model Long video generation
Marey (Moonvalley) Video generation model trained on licensed footage, with camera, pose and motion-transfer controls.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Paid Paid · Licensed Data Rights-safe video generation
Mootion Idea to a 2-minute cinematic video in one tool.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Free tier All-in-one Fast all-in-one film
Morphic AI film studio for story-driven video.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Paid Film Studio Story-driven film
Pika 2.0 Extended video gen with improved consistency.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Free tier Extended Gen · Stylized Stylized video
PixVerse Style-specific modes (anime, 3D, realistic), character consistency.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Free tier Style Modes · Consistency Style-specific video gen
Runway Gen-4.5 Motion brushes and scene consistency on the GWM-1 world model.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Free tier Motion Brushes · Consistency Motion control
Seedance 2.0 (ByteDance) High raw quality video gen with audio. Tops the Artificial Analysis ranking.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Paid Top Quality · Native Audio Top raw quality
SeedVR2 (ByteDance) Open model that upscales and restores video and images in one diffusion step.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Open source Open Source · Upscaling Video restoration and upscaling
Simulon iPhone app that tracks camera and lighting to composite 3D assets into live-action footage.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Free tier Freemium · iPhone Mobile CG compositing
Stable Virtual Camera Stability AI model that renders new camera views and camera-path videos from input images.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Free, non-commercial Non-Commercial · Stability AI Novel view synthesis
Veo 3.1 (Google DeepMind) Top leaderboard, native audio, 60s+ clips.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Paid Top Leaderboard · Native Audio Top-quality video gen
Video2X Video upscaler and frame interpolator using Real-ESRGAN, Real-CUGAN and RIFE.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Open source Open Source · Upscaling Video upscaling and interpolation
Vidu 16s clips, strong human motion (Shengshu).
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Free tier 16s · Human Motion Long human-motion clips
Wan 2.2 (Alibaba) Cinematic MoE diffusion, 8GB+ VRAM. Open source.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → Video Generation		 Open source Open Source · MoE Diffusion Cinematic open-source video gen

AI 3D Generation Software

AI text-to-3D, image-to-3D, and 3D-asset generation tools.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
3D AI Studio Web app that runs several 3D generation models for text-to-3D, image-to-3D, texturing and quad remeshing.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Free plan, Studio 9/mo, Pro 9/mo Free tier Freemium · Multi-Model Comparing 3D generators
3DTopia Open-source text-to-3D pipeline (coarse → refined).
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Open source Coarse→Refined · Open Source Text-to-3D open-source
Direct3D-S2 Open image-to-3D model using sparse attention for high-resolution meshes.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Open source Open Source · Image to 3D High-res mesh generation
Hi3D Web image-to-3D generator with watertight meshes, 8K PBR textures and 3D-print part splitting. Formerly Hitem3D.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Free credits, paid plans Free tier Freemium · Web Print-ready AI models
Hunyuan3D 2.1 (Tencent) Open-weight image-to-3D model that generates a mesh and paints PBR textures.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Free weights Free Free · Open Weights Image to textured 3D
HunyuanWorld 1.0 (Tencent) Open model that generates explorable mesh-based 3D scenes from text or an image.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Free Free · Tencent Explorable 3D scenes
InstantMesh Fast single-image-to-3D reconstruction.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Open source Fast · Image→3D Fast image→3D
Intangible Prompt and drag-drop to 3D scenes for previz. No-code.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Free tier Previz · No-code No-code 3D previz
Kaedim Image-to-3D with hybrid AI plus artist cleanup for production quality.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Paid Hybrid AI+Artist · Production Production-quality via hybrid AI+artist
Luma Genie Text/image to 3D, integrated with Dream Machine.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Free tier Luma · Integrated Luma-integrated 3D gen
Lyra (NVIDIA) NVIDIA model that generates explorable 3D Gaussian scenes from one image or a video.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Open source Open Source · NVIDIA Image to 3D scenes
Marble (World Labs) Web app that generates persistent 3D worlds from text, images or video, exported as Gaussian splats or meshes.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Free tier, from $20/mo Free tier Freemium · Gaussian Splats AI world generation
Meshy v4 Production-reliable, improved topology and PBR textures.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Free tier Production-Reliable · PBR Production-ready AI 3D
Neural4D Web generator that turns text, images or video into watertight 3D models with AI texturing and rigging.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Free tier Freemium · Web Rigged AI 3D models
PartPacker (NVIDIA) NVIDIA model that generates a 3D object from one image as separate editable parts.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Free, non-commercial Non-Commercial · NVIDIA Part-based 3D generation
Rodin Gen-2 (Hyper3D) 10B params, photorealistic, free generation tier.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Free tier 10B Params · Free Tier Photorealistic AI 3D
SAM 3D Objects (Meta) Meta model that rebuilds a textured 3D object from one image and a mask.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Free Free · Meta Single-image object reconstruction
Sloyd Procedural 3D generation with parametric control.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Free tier Procedural · Parametric Parametric procedural 3D
Spline AI Generate 3D objects and textures from text prompts in-editor.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Free tier In-Editor · Text→3D In-editor AI 3D
Stability SPAR3D Open-source single-image 3D reconstruction.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Open source Stability AI · Open Source Single-image open-source 3D
Step1X-3D StepFun open model that generates textured 3D assets from images in separate geometry and texture stages.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Open source Open Source · Image to 3D Textured asset generation
TRELLIS.2 (Microsoft) Full PBR materials, complex topologies.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Open source Microsoft · PBR + Open Source PBR AI 3D (open source)
Tripo v3.0 Sculpture-level precision, clean quad topology.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Free tier Clean Quads · Sculpt-level Clean topology AI 3D
TripoSG VAST open image-to-3D shape model built on rectified flow.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Open source Open Source · Image to 3D Image to 3D shapes
TripoSR Tripo/Stability collab. Fast open-source image-to-3D.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Open source Open Source · Fast Fast open-source image→3D
Unique3D High-quality mesh from single image (NeurIPS 2024).
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Open source Single-Image · NeurIPS Single-image open-source 3D
Wonder3D++ Cross-domain diffusion, textured meshes in 2-3min.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → 3D Generation		 Open source Fast · Textured Mesh Fast textured mesh gen

AI Audio & Music Generation Software

AI music, voice, and SFX generation tools.

Software Description License Tags Best For
ACE Studio AI singing voice synthesizer with expression control.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI Audio & Music		 Free tier Singing · Expression AI singing synthesis
AIVA AI composition, good for orchestral/cinematic scoring.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI Audio & Music		 Free tier Orchestral · Scoring Orchestral/cinematic scoring
DiffRhythm Open-source full-song gen with vocals from lyrics.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI Audio & Music		 Open source Open Source · Lyrics→Song Open-source song gen with vocals
ElevenLabs Voice cloning, narration, music generation.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI Audio & Music		 Free tier Voice Cloning · TTS Voice cloning, TTS
F5 TTS Open-source zero-shot voice cloning TTS.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI Audio & Music		 Open source Zero-Shot · Voice Clone Zero-shot voice cloning
Fish Audio Open-source TTS with voice cloning, fast and multilingual.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI Audio & Music		 Open source Open Source · Multilingual Open-source TTS
HunyuanVideo-Foley (Tencent) Open model that generates foley audio matched to video and text.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI Audio & Music		 Free Free · Tencent Video foley generation
Mirelo AI sound effects synced to video, with a browser editor, Premiere and Resolve plugins and an API.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI Audio & Music		 Free tier Freemium · Web Synced video sound effects
MMAudio Open model that generates synced sound effects for video or from text.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI Audio & Music		 Free, non-commercial Non-Commercial · Video to Audio Video sound effects
Suno v5 Full song generation, 100M+ users.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI Audio & Music		 Free tier Song Gen · 100M users Full song generation
ThinkSound Open model that generates audio from video, text or audio. Repo also hosts PrismAudio.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI Audio & Music		 Open source Open Source · Video to Audio Audio from video
Udio Strong electronic/pop, licensed for commercial use.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI Audio & Music		 Free tier Electronic/Pop · Commercial Commercial-licensed AI music

AI Motion Capture Software

Markerless and AI-driven motion capture and pose estimation tools.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
Audio2Face-3D (NVIDIA) NVIDIA models and SDK that drive facial animation from speech audio, with Maya and Unreal plugins.
See also: Animation & Rigging → AI Motion Capture & Animation		 Free Free · NVIDIA Speech-driven facial animation
Cartwheel Web studio that turns video into mocap, generates motion from text and retargets it to 3D characters.
See also: Animation & Rigging → AI Motion Capture & Animation		 7-day trial, credit plans Paid Paid · Video Mocap Video to character motion
Cascadeur AI-assisted physics-based keyframe character animation; free for non-commercial use.
See also: Software Reference → 3D Software: Free Tier		 Indie $19/mo or $96/yr (rent-to-own perpetual) Free, non-commercial AI Anim · Free NC Action/fight character animation
DeepMotion Game-ready character animation from video. BVH/FBX export.
See also: Animation & Rigging → AI Motion Capture & Animation		 Free tier Game-Ready · BVH/FBX Game-ready AI mocap
Free Mo Cap Free open-source motion capture system (traditional, not AI).
See also: Animation & Rigging → AI Motion Capture & Animation		 Open source Open Source · Mocap Open-source mocap
GVHMR Research code that recovers world-space 3D human motion from monocular video.
See also: Animation & Rigging → AI Motion Capture & Animation		 Free, non-commercial Non-Commercial · Research Video to 3D motion
HY-Motion 1.0 (Tencent) Open model that generates 3D human motion from text prompts.
See also: Animation & Rigging → AI Motion Capture & Animation		 Free Free · Text to Motion Text to motion
Krikey AI Browser app that makes 3D character animation from text or video and exports MP4 or FBX.
See also: Animation & Rigging → AI Motion Capture & Animation		 Free tier, Pro $15/mo Free tier Freemium · Browser Quick character animation
Live Link Face (Apple) Free facial mocap via iPhone into Unreal/Maya/Blender.
See also: Animation & Rigging → AI Motion Capture & Animation		 Free Free · iPhone Face Capture iPhone facial mocap
Move AI Highest-accuracy AI mocap with multi-camera triangulation.
See also: Animation & Rigging → AI Motion Capture & Animation		 Paid High Accuracy · Multi-Camera Multi-camera AI mocap
Plask Browser-based mocap with hand tracking and standard format export.
See also: Animation & Rigging → AI Motion Capture & Animation		 Free tier Browser · Hand Tracking Browser-based AI mocap
Puppeteer (ByteDance Seed) Open model that rigs, skins and animates a 3D model automatically.
See also: Animation & Rigging → AI Motion Capture & Animation		 Open source Open Source · Auto Rigging Auto-rig and animate models
QuickMagic Web service that captures body, hand and face motion from one video and exports FBX or BVH.
See also: Animation & Rigging → AI Motion Capture & Animation		 Free tier Freemium · Markerless Video mocap
Remocapp Desktop app for real-time markerless body and face capture from two webcams, with Unreal Live Link.
See also: Animation & Rigging → AI Motion Capture & Animation		 Free tier, from .99/mo (annual) Paid Subscription · Markerless Webcam real-time mocap
Rokoko Vision Free AI mocap from webcam or video.
See also: Animation & Rigging → AI Motion Capture & Animation		 Free tier Free Tier · Webcam/Video Free AI mocap
UniRig VAST open model that predicts a skeleton and skin weights for any 3D model.
See also: Animation & Rigging → AI Motion Capture & Animation		 Open source Open Source · Auto Rigging Automatic rigging
Uthana AI platform that generates character motion from text or video, retargets it and auto-rigs, with Blender and Maya plugins.
See also: Animation & Rigging → AI Motion Capture & Animation		 Pay per second of motion Paid Paid · Text to Motion AI character motion
Viggle AI Character animation from video or image input.
See also: Animation & Rigging → AI Motion Capture & Animation		 Free tier Video→Animation · AI AI character animation from input media

AI-Assisted CG Software

AI upscaling, cleanup, generative assist, and AI-powered DCC features.

Software Description License Tags Best For
Autodesk Flow Studio (Wonder Dynamics) AI VFX, auto CG characters in live footage, USD export.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI-Assisted CG Tools		 Paid Auto CG Chars · USD Export AI CG characters in live plates
Blockade Labs Skybox AI AI-generated 360° skyboxes/HDRIs from text.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI-Assisted CG Tools		 Free tier AI Skybox · 360° AI skyboxes/HDRIs
Gigapixel AI AI photo enlargement that adds detail to upscaled images.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI-Assisted CG Tools		 Paid Detail-preserving upscaling
Let's Enhance Photo upscaler up to 16x with a free tier.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI-Assisted CG Tools		 Free tier Photo Upscale Photo upscaling
Magnific AI Creative upscaler that adds detail. Folded into Freepik plans Apr 2026.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI-Assisted CG Tools		 Paid Creative Upscale · Freepik Creative AI upscaling
Rosebud AI Prompt-to-game builder for playable 2D and 3D browser games with editable code.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI-Assisted CG Tools, Software Reference → AI Creative Canvas Software		 Free tier AI Game Builder · Vibe Coding
Topaz Photo AI / Video AI Upscaling, denoising, and sharpening. Topaz Bloom adds unlimited creative upscaling.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI-Assisted CG Tools		 Paid Upscale · Denoise Upscale/denoise
Upscayl Open-source desktop upscaler that runs locally at no cost.
See also: AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI-Assisted CG Tools		 Open source Open Source · Local Free local upscaling

Related:

AI Creative Canvas Software

Node-based and all-in-one AI canvases that chain image, video, and 3D gen.

Software Description License Tags Best For
Flora Node canvas for image and video gen with 50+ models and Style DNA. Free tier Node Canvas · Multi-model Visual node workflows
Freepik Spaces Node workflows tied to the Freepik stock library. Free tier Node Workflows · Stock Library Node workflows with stock
Higgsfield Canvas Node editor chaining prompts, style transfer, motion, and render across image and video. Free tier Node Editor · Image + Video Image to video pipeline
Kaiber Unified canvas for image and video generation and editing. Superstudio. Paid Unified Canvas · Image + Video Unified gen canvas
Omma Prompt-driven builder from Spline that generates 3D scenes, sites, games, and decks. Accepts GLB, OBJ, and data files as input. Free tier Prompt to App · Spline Prompt to interactive 3D scene
Rosebud AI Prompt-to-game builder for playable 2D and 3D browser games with editable code.
See also: Software Reference → AI-Assisted CG Software, AI & Machine Learning for CG → AI-Assisted CG Tools		 Free tier AI Game Builder · Vibe Coding
Websim Generates and remixes interactive web pages and toys from a prompt or URL. Free tier Prompt to Web · Remixable Prompt to interactive page
Wireflow AI workflow canvas with a developer lean. Free tier Workflow Canvas Dev-leaning AI canvas

AI Design Viz Software

Sketch-to-render and AI design visualization for product and architecture.

Software Description Pricing License Tags Best For
Arko.ai Arch-viz AI renderer for sketch and 3D model screenshots. Free tier Architecture Arch-viz rendering
LookX Arch-viz AI renderer with style references. Free tier Architecture Arch-viz rendering
Mnml.ai Arch-viz AI renderer from sketch and 3D screenshot input. Free tier Architecture Arch-viz rendering
NewArc Sketch to render for product, fashion, and automotive design. Free tier Sketch to Render Product and fashion render
The New Black AI fashion workspace for clothing concepts, virtual try-ons, tech packs, fashion models, and 3D garments. Free trial; plans from $10 Paid Fashion Design · Virtual Try-On Fashion design and virtual garment development
Visualizee Sketch and 3D screenshot to render for architecture and interiors. Free tier Architecture · Sketch to Render Architecture rendering
Vizcom Sketch to render for industrial, product, and footwear design with line control. Free tier Sketch to Render · Product Design Industrial design sketching

Related:

AI Product Photography Software

AI virtual product photography and 3D digital twins for ecommerce.

Software Description License Tags Best For
Claid.ai Catalog image cleanup and AI product shots at ecommerce scale. Free tier Ecommerce · Product Shots Catalog cleanup at scale
Emersya 3D and AR product experiences from ideation to ecommerce. Paid 3D + AR 3D and AR product viz
Flair.ai AI product photography canvas. Drag products into staged scenes. Free tier Product Photography Staged product scenes
Omi 3D digital twins of products for virtual photoshoots. Built for CPG brands. Paid Digital Twins · Product Shots CPG product twins
Photoroom Marketplace-first mobile app for batch product listing images. Free tier Mobile · Batch Batch listing images
Threekit Enterprise 3D twins with photoreal renders and configurators from one file. Paid Enterprise · Configurators Enterprise 3D twins