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:
- Infinigen. Princeton procedural generator of photoreal natural and indoor scenes in Blender, for vision training data.
- openFrameworks. Open-source C++ creative coding toolkit for graphics, video, audio and hardware I/O.
- p5.js. JavaScript creative coding library for drawing and interaction in the browser.