Best 3d Prototyping Software For Product Design

Core77 Guides/The Best 3D Modeling Software for Industrial Designers

The Best 3D Modeling Software for Industrial Designers

3D modeling has been a part of the profession of industrial design since before computers were even conceived. Building full-sized models in the real world has been thoroughly transplanted by software programs though and few production projects go through without computer based 3D modeling as a significant part of the development process. We've gathered the top programs in use today here.

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#1

Rhino

Submitted by: Allison Fonder

Rhino is a 3D modeler used to create, edit, analyze, document, render, animate, and translate NURBS* (NURBS stands for "non-uniform rational basis spline") curves, surfaces, and solids, point clouds, and polygon meshes. There are no limits on complexity, degree, or size beyond those of your hardware.

Rhino is a 3D modeler used to create, edit, analyze, document, render, animate, and translate NURBS* (NURBS stands for "non-uniform rational basis spline") curves, surfaces, and solids, point clouds, and polygon meshes. There are no limits on complexity, degree, or size beyond those of your hardware.
#2

SOLIDWORKS

Submitted by: Allison Fonder

SOLIDWORKS is the bread and butter program for industrial design—powered off of Windows, this computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) software program not only allows you to envision products in their final form, but also design with a precision that can be processed by 3D printers, CNC machines, rendering programs, and more.

SOLIDWORKS is the bread and butter program for industrial design—powered off of Windows, this computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) software program not only allows you to envision products in their final form, but also design with a precision that can be processed by 3D printers, CNC machines, rendering programs, and more.
#3

Autodesk Fusion 360

Submitted by: Allison Fonder

Autodesk Fusion 360 is a cloud-based CAD software that comes in handy for visualizing complicated mechanical designs due to its ability to host an object's assembly pieces together within one file. It's a more intuitive software than other CAD programs, which makes it a favorite among many industrial designers and hobbyists. Another unique feature of Fusion 360 is its incorporation of Autodesk's generative design technology, an AI-powered function that allows designers to generate CAD-ready solutions based on manufacturing constraints.

Autodesk Fusion 360 is a cloud-based CAD software that comes in handy for visualizing complicated mechanical designs due to its ability to host an object's assembly pieces together within one file. It's a more intuitive software than other CAD programs, which makes it a favorite among many industrial designers and hobbyists. Another unique feature of Fusion 360 is its incorporation of Autodesk's generative design technology, an AI-powered function that allows designers to generate CAD-ready solutions based on manufacturing constraints.
#4

blender.org - Home of the Blender project - Free and Open 3D Creation Software

Submitted by: Cad Junkie

While not a "CAD" software there are very compelling reasons to have this a designers wheelhouse of 3D modeling tools. - It's free and always will be, runs on a Mac or PC, and has a very strong community of users and developers. - Offers a wide range of different tools such as 2D sketching - Grease Pencil, as well as sculptural tools aka zBrush, and an amazing rendering and animation suite. - Customization allows users to really get in to the software however they so choose. Being able to create code/scripts or purchase ones that suit ones needs from the market place also adds a level of most other packages don't.

While not a "CAD" software there are very compelling reasons to have this a designers wheelhouse of 3D modeling tools. - It's free and always will be, runs on a Mac or PC, and has a very strong community of users and developers. - Offers a wide range of different tools such as 2D sketching - Grease Pencil, as well as sculptural tools aka zBrush, and an amazing rendering and animation suite. - Customization allows users to really get in to the software however they so choose. Being able to create code/scripts or purchase ones that suit ones needs from the market place also adds a level of most other packages don't.
#5

ZBrush

Submitted by: Allison Fonder

As ZBrush is a digital sculpting tool often used for animations, it also turns out to be a great modeling software for soft goods visualization. Designers can get really detailed organic modeling results out of this program. Keep in mind this is not CAD program.

As ZBrush is a digital sculpting tool often used for animations, it also turns out to be a great modeling software for soft goods visualization. Designers can get really detailed organic modeling results out of this program. Keep in mind this is not CAD program.
#6

Shapr3D

Submitted by: Eric Ludlum

There are many options in desktop software but few mobile-native 3D modeling apps. Shapr3D is an intuitive modeler made expressly for the iPad and Apple Pencil. It is powered by the same sketch engine – Siemens' D-Cubed – as SOLIDWORKS.

There are many options in desktop software but few mobile-native 3D modeling apps. Shapr3D is an intuitive modeler made expressly for the iPad and Apple Pencil. It is powered by the same sketch engine – Siemens' D-Cubed – as SOLIDWORKS.
#7

PTC Creo

Submitted by: Jesse Meinesz

Creo is the 3D CAD solution that helps you accelerate product innovation so you can build better products faster. Easy-to-learn Creo seamlessly takes you from the earliest phases of product design to manufacturing and beyond. You can combine powerful, proven functionality with new technologies such as generative design, augmented reality, real-time simulation, additive manufacturing. and the IoT to iterate faster, reduce costs, and improve product quality. The world of product development moves quickly, and only Creo delivers the transformative tools you need to build competitive advantage and gain market share.

Creo is the 3D CAD solution that helps you accelerate product innovation so you can build better products faster. Easy-to-learn Creo seamlessly takes you from the earliest phases of product design to manufacturing and beyond. You can combine powerful, proven functionality with new technologies such as generative design, augmented reality, real-time simulation, additive manufacturing. and the IoT to iterate faster, reduce costs, and improve product quality. The world of product development moves quickly, and only Creo delivers the transformative tools you need to build competitive advantage and gain market share.
#8

AutoCAD

Submitted by: Allison Fonder

AutoCAD, otherwise known as the grandfather of design computer software, is a versatile modeling program that designers can use for a number of projects. While other CAD programs are great for parametric modeling, AutoCAD is likely best used for 2D drawings and plans for your designs.

AutoCAD, otherwise known as the grandfather of design computer software, is a versatile modeling program that designers can use for a number of projects. While other CAD programs are great for parametric modeling, AutoCAD is likely best used for 2D drawings and plans for your designs.
#9

Onshape | Product Development Platform

Submitted by: William van Beek

Onshape Inc. develops the only product design platform that combines 3D CAD, PDM, collaboration and analytics tools in the cloud. Built from the ground up, Onshape is the industry's first pure SaaS platform that unites robust CAD with powerful data management and collaboration tools.

Onshape Inc. develops the only product design platform that combines 3D CAD, PDM, collaboration and analytics tools in the cloud. Built from the ground up, Onshape is the industry's first pure SaaS platform that unites robust CAD with powerful data management and collaboration tools.
#10

Modo: Creative 3D Modeling Software

Submitted by: Cad Junkie

Modo sits nicely in-between a the accuracy expected from CAD and the freeform of more organic DCC software. Modeling can be either destructive or non-destructive depending on the designers intended outcome/workflow. Modo operates on Mac, PC, and Linux OS which makes it one of the more flexible to use apps on the market. Mesh Fusion is an amazing blend of live boolean operations with the SubD geometry which makes for quick iterative design possibilities and changes. The rendering capability that's built into the software is very capable of out putting images intended for any range of downstream graphics needs. It is possible to import/export files for CAD applications which makes it ideal to be placed on either end of the design process.

Modo sits nicely in-between a the accuracy expected from CAD and the freeform of more organic DCC software. Modeling can be either destructive or non-destructive depending on the designers intended outcome/workflow. Modo operates on Mac, PC, and Linux OS which makes it one of the more flexible to use apps on the market. Mesh Fusion is an amazing blend of live boolean operations with the SubD geometry which makes for quick iterative design possibilities and changes. The rendering capability that's built into the software is very capable of out putting images intended for any range of downstream graphics needs. It is possible to import/export files for CAD applications which makes it ideal to be placed on either end of the design process.
#11

Sketchup

Submitted by: Christa Elrod

SketchUp is a premier 3D design software that truly makes 3D modeling for everyone, with a simple to learn yet robust toolset that empowers you to create whatever you can imagine.

SketchUp is a premier 3D design software that truly makes 3D modeling for everyone, with a simple to learn yet robust toolset that empowers you to create whatever you can imagine.
#12

Cinema 4D

Submitted by: Jerry Foster

Cinema 4D is an extremely powerful all-around 3D modeling and visualization tool. While not a parametric modeler, and thus not really a CAD program, it does provide a vast range of modeling tools in a highly customizable interface so that the designer can quickly ideate and render concepts with tremendous flexibility and ease. Nurbs, polygonal, and sculpting capability are built-in. In addition to its built-in rendering options, its plug-in architecture also provides access to a myriad of popular CPU and GPU rendering engines, as well as open-source special purpose plugins to speed workflow. It can also import and export to popular parametric modeling programs.

Cinema 4D is an extremely powerful all-around 3D modeling and visualization tool. While not a parametric modeler, and thus not really a CAD program, it does provide a vast range of modeling tools in a highly customizable interface so that the designer can quickly ideate and render concepts with tremendous flexibility and ease. Nurbs, polygonal, and sculpting capability are built-in. In addition to its built-in rendering options, its plug-in architecture also provides access to a myriad of popular CPU and GPU rendering engines, as well as open-source special purpose plugins to speed workflow. It can also import and export to popular parametric modeling programs.