3D Graphics Softare Tools by
Categories
Jim X. Chen, Ph.D.
Computer Graphics Lab, George Mason
University
Low-level Graphics Libraries
- Coin3D
- DirectX
- GKS-3D
- Jogl
// ++
- Mesa
- OpenGL
- OpenGL For Java (GL4Java; MapsOpenGL
and GLU APIs to Java)
- QuickDraw3D
- Tao
Framework
- XGL
Visualization Tools
- 3D Grapher (Illustrating and solving
complex mathematical equations in 2D and 3D)
- 3D Studio VIZ (Architectural and
industrial designs and concepts)
- 3DField
(Elevation data visualization)
- 3DVIEWNIX (Image, volume, soft
tissue display, kinematic analysis)
- Amira
(Medicine, biology,
chemistry, physics, or engineering data)
- Analyze
(MRI, CT, PET and SPECT)
- Antics(Visualization
based upon gaming technology)
//++
- Astex Viewer (Molecular visualization)
//++
- AVS
(Comprehensive suite of data visualization and analysis)
- Blueberry 3D (Virtual
landscape and terrain from real map data)
- Deep Exploration (CAD, 3D content) //++
- Dice
(Data organization, runtime visualization, and graphical user interface
tools)
- Enliten
(Viewing, analyzing and manipulating complex visualization scenarios)
- Ensight
(CFD, structural analysis, combustion, electromagnetics, and injection)
- FAST
(Data from numerical simulations)
- Ferret
(Oceanographers and meteorologists analyzing large and complex gridded
data sets)
- Fieldview (CFD or other data)
- Geomview
(Visualize and manipulate 3D geometric objects)
- GNUPlot
(Scientific data plotting of various forms)
- IDL
(Data analysis, visualization, and cross-platform application development)
- Igor Pro (Visualization of large data sets
and time series)
+
- Iris Explorer (3D data visualization,
animation and manipulation)
- Jmol
(Molecular Visualization)
// ++
- Khoros
(Visual programming environment with data processing and
visualization)
- King
(Graph, plot, and macromolecule)
//++
- LandForm
(Map data as 3D surfaces with overlayed satellite and aerial imagery on
top)
- MapRender3D (Generate realistic relief
shaded landscape perspectives)
- Mathematica ( Numeric and
symbolic calculation, visualization, and simulation)
- Matlab (Data
analysis/visualization, numeric/symbolic computation, simulation)
- Mvox
(Visualization for medical images)
- Ncar
(Access, analysis, and visualization of data)
- OpenDX
(Science, engineering, medicine and business data)
- OpenGL Volumizer (C++
classes, manipulation and display of voxel-based data)
- OpenInventor (Cross-platform 3D
graphics visualization and animation)
- Perfkit (Graphics program performance
visualization)
- Plot
3D (Simulation and visualization of computational fluid dynamics
solutions)
- Tucan Series (Real-time visualization and
virtual reality)
- Pv3 (Unsteady, unstructured CFD
visualization for supercomputers, parallel machines)
- PV-WAVE
(Manipulate and visualize complex or extremely large technical datasets)
- RasMol (Molecular visualization)
// ++
- STK
(Scenario information from the Satellite Tool Kit software suite)
- Star-CD (Multipurpose CFD code, complete
design and development process.)
- Tecplot
(Visualizing technical data from analyses, simulations and experiments)
- View3D
(Motif compliant widget, 3D data displays)
- Vis5D
(5-D gridded data sets by numerical weather and ocean models)
- VisAD
(Interactive and collaborative visualization and analysis of numerical
data)
- VisiQuest (Scientific visualization)
//++
- Visual3
(Interaction with pregenerated data for visualization, as in fluid flow
modeling)
- Visual Nature Studio(Landscapes
visualization) //++
- VMD
(Molecular visualization)
//++
- VolVis
(Volume visualization that unites numerous visualization methods)
- VoxBlast
(Imaging, volume rendering)
- VP-Sculpt
(Visualize, verify, repair, and perform calculations on 3D polygonal
model)
- VTK
(3D graphics,
image processing, and visualization)
- WebMol
(PDB visualization)
// ++
Modeling Tools
- 3D
Canvas (Drag-and-drop, animation)
- 3DSOM Pro( image-based 3D
modeling)
//++
- 3D Studio Max (Game effects,
animation and rendering)
- 3D Studio VIZ (Architectural and
industrial designs and concepts)
- 3D World
Studio(constructive solid geometry (CSG) modeler)
//++
- 3Dom
(Solid objects)
- AC3D
(Objects and scenes)
- ACIS 3D Toolkit (Geometric solids and
surfaces)
- ActiveDimension3 (CAD)
- Aladdin
(Procedural textures, gasses, path-based animation)
- AliasStudio (Sketching, modeling, and visualization)
//++
- Amapi3D
(NURBS modeling, rendering, and animation)
- Amorphium (3D sculpting and painting)
- Anark
(CAD or game modeling and simulation)
- Anim8OR
(3D modeling and character animation)
- Animation Master (Movies, 3D story
boards, virtual reality, business presentations)
- Art of Illusion (3D modeling,
rendering, and animation tool)
- AutoCAD
(CAD for schematics of ships and buildings)
- bCAD
(Design and rendering)
- Behemot
Graphics Editor (Objects and scenes)
- Blender
(TV commercials, visualizations, user interfaces)
- Blueberry 3D (Virtual
landscape and terrain from real map data)
- BodyPaint 3D (Body texture mapping)
- Breeze Designer (Interface with
POV-Ray rendering)
- BRL-CAD
(CSG, solid modeling and CAD)
//++
- Bryce
3D (Landscape, terrain, water, etc.)
- Calimax Modeller (Interface with
POV-Ray rendering)
- Carrara (Modeling, rendering, animation)
- Cheetah3D(Modelling, rendering and animation)
//++
- Cinema
4D (Film, television, architecture, face, and multimedia)
- ClayWorks (Modeling and rendering)
- CyberMotion 3D Designer (Game,
virtual design)
- Deep Creator (3D modeler, texture
creator, scripting engine )
//++
- Deep Exploration (CAD, 3D content) //++
- Deep Paint 3D (Oils, watercolors, and
pastels brushed directly onto 3D models)
- Deled
3D Editor (objects and skins)
- DesignCAD (Engineering, drafting, and
architectural applications)
- Design Workshop Pro (films and advertisements)
- DigiCad 3D (Architecture, mapping,
photogrammetry)
- DMesh
(Humanoid and other organic modelling)
- Draw3D
(Surface from 3D points)
- Effect3D
(Objects)
- Electric Image Universe (Film, architecture,
and engineering)
- Equinox 3D(product prototype, game model,
virtual object)
//++
- Form-Z
(Architects, designers, engineers)
- Freeworld3D(Terrain editor and world
editor)
//++
- Gamebryo (Real-time games)
//++
- GameSpace(Characters, worlds, weapons and more)
//++
- Genesis3D (Real-time games)
- Geomagic
Studio(Product design)
//++
- Graffiti
(Face painting)
- Grome Modeler (Terrain and game scene modeling)
//++
- Hexagon(Polygonal
modeler) //++
- Houdini
(Proceedural approach)
- HyperFun
(Modeling through language-based functions)
- ImageModeler (2D image to 3D model)
- Jet
3D (Graphics engine built for high performance real-time rendering)
- JustCad(Engineering
layouts, architectural drawings, furniture)
// ++
- K-3D(Geometrical
objects)
- LandForm
(Map data as 3D surfaces with overlayed satellite and aerial imagery on
top)
- MapRender3D (Generate realistic relief
shaded landscape perspectives)
- Lattice Designer (curved surface)
- LightRay3D(Game contents, general visualization data)
//++
- Lipservice (3D facial sculpting and animation plugin and standalone for
lightwave)
- LSS
Vista (Terrain, map)
- LumeTools (Creating landscape, water, light,
matter, and workbench)
- Materialize3D (Model converter,
material / texture editor and polygon processor)
- Matlab (Data
analysis/visualization, numeric/symbolic computation)
- Maya
(Commercials, character animation, and virtual reality)
- Merlin
3D (CAD, video, game, architecture)
- Meshwork
(3D game or web)
- Metris
(Aerospace,
automotive and other
engineering industries)
//++
- Microstation TriForma (Building design
and drawing)
- Misfit
Model 3D(triangle-based modeling)
//++
- MilkShape 3D (modeling and
editing utilities)
- MindsEye
(Support NURBS designed for Linux and Unix Systems)
- ModelMagic3D (OpenGL
scenes rendered in real-time)
- Modo(Polygon,
subdivision surface modeling)
//++
- Mojoworld (Fractal-based modeling)
// ++
- Moray
(Wireframe PovRay plugin)
- MultigenPro
(Realtime 3D content for simulation, games, and other applications)
- Natural Scene Designer (Trees,
clouds, rocks, bushes, lakes, atmospheric effects)
- Now3D
(Drawing tool that allows the user to quickly create complex, realistic 3D
pictures)
- OpenFX(Digital post production, animation, game
development, film and broadcast)
//++
- particleIllusion (Explosion, smike,
fire, sparkles)
- PhotoModeler (Generate 3D models and
measure existing object or scenes)
- Pointstream 3DImageSuite (Processing point cloud data)
//+
- Poser (3D-character animation and design tool)
- Povlab
(for PovRay)
- PovRay
(Persistence of Vision Ray-tracer)
- Pro-Engineer (Architectures,
manufacturers, and drafts)
- Punch(Home
and landscape modeling)
//++
- Realflow
(Fluids by calculating the interaction between particles)
- Realsoft 3D (Architecture and modular
design)
- Rhino
(Curved surfaces)
- RXscene
(Polygon and spline based modeler with an intuitive user interface)
- Sced
(Modeling with geometric constraints)
- Shade (Architectural and interior design,
product design and prototyping, character design and rendering)
- ShapeCapture(3D measurement and
modeling)
//++
- Silo
(Organically sculpting high-polygon models and precisely controlling
hard-edged surfaces)
- Shave
(Hair, trees, etc.)
- SketchUp (Architects, furniture designers)
- Softimage XSI (Films, games)
- Solids++
(Solids modeling,
surface modeling, curve modeling, polygonal modeling)
//++
- SolidThinking (Curved surfaces)
- SolidWorks ((Mechanical design)
- Strata Live 3D(Print, Web-enabled
applications, and interactive games)
- Summit
3D (Complex virtual worlds)
- T.Ed(Terrain and environment
modeling)
//++
- Terragen
(Photorealistic results forlandscape, special effects, art and recreation)
- TerraTools(3D geospatial modeling)
//++
- TopSolid(CAD
and CAM)
//++
- TrueSpace (Advertisements, games,
art works, and animated virtual environments)
- TurboCAD
(CAD package)
- Ultimate Unwrap(Unwrapping 3D models)
//+
- UVMapper
(Texture mapping onto polygonal surfaces)
- Varkon
(CAD)
- Vectorworks (Building design and
presentations)
- Visviva
(artistic modeling, hypertext layout, special effects creation, and animations)
- VPYTHON (3D modeling addition to Python)
- VP-Sculpt
(Visualize, verify, repair, and perform calculations on 3D polygonal
model)
- VREK (Crating functional, interactive and
immersive environments)
- Vue(Creation,
rendering and animation of natural scenery)
- Wings
3D (Surface subdivision and modeling)
- WorldBuilder (Land and water modeling
and rendering)
- World Construction Set(Landscape
generation)
//++
- WorldUp
Modeler (Creating and animating various VR worlds)
- ZBrush
(3D design and real-time
rendering)
Rendering tools
- 3D Studio Max (Game effects,
animation and rendering)
- AccuRender (For models inside AutoCAD,
Revit, or Rhino)
- Adobe
Illustrator CS(vector-based drawing program)
//++
- AIR
(3D image rendering and animation)
- Aladdin
(Procedural textures, gasses, path-based animation)
- Amorphium (3D sculpting and painting)
- Behemot
Graphics Editor (Objects and scenes)
- Blender
(TV commercials, visualizations, user interfaces)
- Blueberry 3D (Virtual
landscape and terrain from real map data)
- BodyPaint 3D (Body texture mapping)
- Bryce
3D (Landscape, terrain, water, etc.)
- Carrara( modeling, rendering, animation)
- Cinema
4D (Film, television, architecture, face, and multimedia)
- CyberMotion 3D Designer (Game,
virtual design)
- Design Workshop Pro (films and advertisements)
- DMesh
(Humanoid and other organic modelling)
- Electric Image Universe (Film,
architecture, and engineering)
- Finalrender(Raytracing rendering)
//++
- Genesis3D (Real-time games)
- Geomview (Visualize and manipulate 3D
geometric objects)
- INSPIRER (indoor outdoor lighting
simulation)
- Jet
3D (Graphics engine built for high performance real-time rendering)
- Jig
(Geometrical objects, particle systems, hair)
- K-3D.htm
(Geometrical objects)
- LightScape (AutoCAD and 3D
Studio models)
- LightWave 3D (Television shows,
films and commercials, video games)
- Lightworks (Rendering components for
integration)
- LSS
Vista (Terrain, map)
- MapRender3D (Generate realistic relief
shaded landscape perspectives)
- Maxwell
Render(Architectural
visualization, industrial and product design)
//++
- Maya
(Commercials, character animation, and virtual reality)
- MentalRay (Film, games,
automotive and aerospace industries)
- Merlin 3D (CAD, video, game, architecture)
- Natural Scene Designer (Trees,
clouds, rocks, bushes, lakes, atmospheric effects)
- NuGraf
(Scene composition, model viewing and model translation)
- Povlab
(for PovRay)
- POV-Ray (Persistence of Vision
Ray-tracer)
- Quick3D
(Viewing, organizing, and converting 3D files)
- Radiance (analysis and
visualization of lighting)
- Rayshade (Computer art and architecture)
- Realsoft 3D (Architecture and modular
design)
- RenderDrive (Rendering appliance with
software)
- RenderMan (Motion picture, etc.)
- RenderPark (quantitative prediction of
the illumination)
- Softimage (Films, games)
- SolidThinking (Curved surfaces)
- SPECTOR (Optical design and analysis)
- StereoPOV(Raytracer, generating
stereoscopic images)
//++
- Strata Live 3D (Print,
Web-enabled applications, and interactive games)
- Superficie (Simple visualization)
- Texture Lab - Tiling Tools (Collection of material maps, mapping types for 3D Max)
- TrueSpace (Advertisements, games,
art works, and animated virtual environments)
- Vecta3D-Max
(3DS Max plug-in, output low-bandwidth vector based images and animations)
- Vector Works (Building design and
presentations)
- Vfleet
(Computational science volume rendering)
- Vray(Rendering engine for film and game productions)
//++
- Vue (Creation, rendering and animation
of natural scenery)
- WorldBuilder (Land and water modeling
and rendering)
- ZBrush
(3D design and real-time
rendering)
- YafRay
( Ray tracing rendering) //++
Animation Tools
- 3D Choreographer (Actor animation
with paths and scripts)
- 3D Studio Max (Game effects,
animation and rendering)
- ActiveWorlds (Networked envrionment with
avatars)
- AIR
(3D image rendering and animation)
- Aladdin
(Procedural textures, gasses, path-based animation)
- Alice
(Scripting and prototyping environment for 3D object behavior)
- Amorphium (3D sculpting and painting)
- Anim8OR
(3D modeling and character animation)
- Animation Master (Movies, 3D story
boards, virtual reality, business presentations)
- Animation Stand (Scanning, painting
and compositing 2-D animation with 3D shading)
- Blender
(TV commercials, visualizations, user interfaces)
- Bryce
3D (Landscape, terrain, water, etc.)
- Carrara
(modeling, rendering, animation)
- Cinema
4D (Film, television, architecture, face, and multimedia)
- CyberMotion 3D Designer (Game,
virtual design)
- DAZ Studio (3D figure posing and
animation)
//++
- DesignCAD (Engineering, drafting, and
architectural applications)
- Design Workshop Pro (films and advertisements)
- DMesh
(Humanoid and other organic modelling)
- EIAS(Character animations, virtual world)
//++
- Electric Image Universe (Film,
architecture, and engineering)
- Endorphin(3D character animation)
//++
- Evolver(Computer generated artwork)
//++
- Facial Studio(Face animation)
//++
- GenTools(3D heads by age, gender and ethnicity)
//++
- Houdini
(Proceedural approach)
- iClone(Animated characters, clothing,
3D scenes)
//++
- Internet
Character Animator (Animate 3D characters)
- Iris Explorer (3D data visualization,
animation and manipulation)
- Jsprited(Tile and multiple-image-based animation)
//++
- K-3D(Geometrical
objects)
- Kyra Sprite Engine(Sprite engine)
//++
- Lifestudio:Head(3D facial animation)
//++
- LightWave 3D (Television shows,
films and commercials, video games)
- Lipservice (3D facial sculpting and animation plugin and standalone for
lightwave)
- Maya
(Commercials, character animation, and virtual reality)
- Merlin 3D (CAD, video, game, architecture)
- Messiah:Studio( Character animation)
//++
- MindsEye (Support NURBS designed for Linux
and Unix Systems)
- Mirai
(3D game development houses, character animator)
- Motionbuilder(3D character
animation)
//++
- Mova(Face motion capture)
//++
- MultigenPro (Realtime 3D content
for simulation, games, and other applications)
- Natural Motion(3D character
animation)
//++
- Natural Scene Designer (Outdoor
scence: trees, clouds, rocks, lakes, atmospheric effects)
- OpenFX(Digital post production, animation, game
development, film and broadcast)
//++
- OpenInventor (Cross-platform 3D
graphics visualization and animation)
- Poser (3D-character animation and design tool)
- Qurtz Composer (nodes wired together
graphically for animation/simulation)
- Realflow (Fluids by calculating the
interaction between particles)
- RealiMation (Real time 3D interactive
applications and Realsoft 3D (Architecture
and modular design)
- Simi Motioncap 3D(3D motion tracking)
//++
- Softimage (Films, games)
- Strata Live 3D (Print, Web-enabled
applications, and interactive games)
- Terragen (Photorealistic results
forlandscape, special effects, art and recreation)
- Tile Studio(Tile-based games)
//++
- TrueSpace (Advertisements, games,
art works, and animated VR)
- Vega
Prime (Visual and audio simulation, virtual reality, and general
visualization applications)
- Visviva
(artistic modeling, hypertext layout, special effects creation, and
animations)
- Vue (Creation, rendering and animation
of natural scenery)
- WorldBuilder (Land and water modeling
and rendering)
- WorldUp
(Creating and animating various VR worlds)
Simulation/Game Engine Tools
- 20-sim
(Simulate the behavior of dynamic systems with graphics display)
- 3D Grapher (Illustrating and solving
complex mathematical equations in 2D and 3D)
- ActiveWorlds (Networked envrionment with
avatars)
- Anark
(CAD or game modeling and simulation)
- DIVE
(multi-user VR system, navigate, see, meet, and interact with other users)
- Crystal Space (A software
development kit for realtime 3D games or other simulation-like
visualization)
- EON Studio (marketing, product development,
simulation training, architectural studies)
- Genesis3D (Real-time game engine)
- GL Studio (Simulation and Training VR
environment)
- GL4Java (MapsOpenGL and GLU APIs to
Java)
- Glu3D
(Fluid simulation)
//++
- Java 3D (Extension to java for displaying 3d
graphics and models)
- Jet
3D (Graphics engine built for high performance real-time
rendering)
- LithTech (LDS) (Game engine and graphics
toolkit)
- LS-DYNA
(Car design and behavior simulation in a collision)
- Mathematica ( Numeric and
symbolic calculation, visualization, and simulation)
- Massive(crowd-related
visual effects for film and television)
//++
- Matlab (Data
analysis/visualization, numeric/symbolic calculation, simulation)
- Maya
(Commercials, character animation, and virtual reality)
- Mirai
(3D game development houses, charater animator)
- NetImmerse (Game engine)
- OpenGVS(Scene
manager)
//++
- Plot
3D (Simulation and visualization of computational fluid dynamics
solutions)
- Poser (3D-character animation and design tool)
- Qurtz Composer (nodes wired together
graphically for animation/simulation)
- Realflow (Fluids by calculating the
interaction between particles)
- RealiMation (Real time 3D interactive
applications and environments)
- Realsoft 3D (Architecture and modular
design)
- Simul8
(Planning, modeling, validation, animation, and simulation)
- Softimage (Films, games)
- SPECTOR (Optical analysis, design and simulation)
//+
- The 3D Gamemaker(Game engine)
//++
- Unity (Game engine and environment)
- Unreal
Engine (3D game engine/simulation and contents)
- Vega Prime (Visual and audio simulation, virtual reality, and
general visualization applications)
- WorldToolKit (Cross- platform real-time
3D VR development tool)
- World
Up (Creating and animating various VR worlds)
- XNA
(Game development library and IDE built on top of Direct X)
Virtual Reality Tools
- ActiveWorlds (Networked environment with
avatars)
- Alice
(Scripting and prototyping environment for 3D object behavior)
- Coin3D
(Scenegraph and OpenGL)
- DIVE
(multi-user navigate, meet, and interact with other users and
applications)
- DIVERSE (Common user interface and API to VE
programs and VR hardware)
- Java 3D (Extension to java for
displaying 3d graphics and models)
- Jet
3D (Graphics engine built for high performance real-time rendering)
- LumeTools (Creating landscape, water,
light, matter, and workbench)
- Maya
(Commercials, character animation, and virtual reality)
- Summit 3D (Complex virtual worlds)
- Tucan
Series (Real-time visualization and virtual reality)
- VREK (Crating functional, interactive and
immersive environments)
- VEGA
(Visual and audio simulation,
virtual reality, and general visualization applications)
- VRML (Cross-platform 3D graphics
visualization and animation applications)
- WorldToolKit (Cross- platform real-time
3D VR development tool)
- WorldUp
(Creating and animating various VR worlds)
Web 3D Tools
- 3D Instant Website (Publish live web
pages with 3D interactive content)
- 3D Text Maker (Build 3D text for web
pages)
- ADG Panorama Tools (From a
series of photos to360 degrees interactive on the Web)
- Anfy3D
(3D image on the web)
- Blaze 3D Studio (Interactive web 3D rendering
)
- Brand Worlds Tools (3D characters on the
web)
- CosmoWorlds (VRML modeling, rendering,
and animation)
- Crystal 3Dimpact! Pro (web 3D graphics and animations with over 145
pre-built 3D objects)
- CrystalGraphics PowerPlugs
(PowerPoint and web 3D animation pulgins)
- Cult3D
(Create interactive objects on the Web)
- Director 8.5 Shockwave Studio
(3D entertainment, demonstrations and online learning applications)
- EZ-Motion (3D or 2D image and animation
software for web developers)
- Insta 3D Pro (3D text and charts, graphics
broadcasting and video editing)
- Internet
Character Animator (Animate 3D characters)
- Internet
Scene Assembler (VRML authoring tool)
- Internet
Space Builder (Establish virtual exhibitions and galleries)
- iSpace
(web graphics assembly tool)
- Java 3D (Extension to java for displaying 3d
graphics and models)
- Navigram Planner (3D interior planning, design
and configuration)
//++
- OpenWorlds (Add VRML/X3D functionality
onto C++ and Java applications)
- Pixel3D
(Logo modeling and rendering)
- ProPak3D (3D website concept, Design and
development)
- Shout3D
(Let any standard web browser display interactive 3D graphics)
- Swift
3D (Web Design: creating, editing, and animating 3D images)
- Ulead
Cool 3D (Animated 3D titles and special effects for Web and
video)
- Virtools (Interactive 3D experience)
//++
- Visviva
(artistic modeling, hypertext layout, special effects creation, and
sophisticated animations)
- VRML (Cross-platform 3D graphics
visualization and animation applications)
- WebSphere Studio (e-business
applications)
// ++
- Xara3D
(3D titles and logos for use on Web pages)
3D File-format Converters
- 3D
Win (3D file converter)
- AccuTrans 3D (3D file converter)
- Biturn
(3D file converter) //++
- Guru
3D-Converter (3D Studio files to the DirectX files)
- Materialize3D (Model converter,
material / texture editor and polygon processor)
- NuGraf
(Scene composition, model viewing and model translation)
- PolyTrans (Import/export 3D files)
- Quick3D
(Viewing, organizing, and converting 3D files)
- Swift
3D (Web Design: creating, editing, and animating 3D images)