What is 3D Modeling Software?

3D modeling completely transforms the way creative teams approach product design projects. While 2D still serves a purpose for floor plans and schematics, 3D modeling gives people a more realistic view of a final design. With 3D rendering capabilities, creators can even place their designs in real-life environments to demonstrate how their products might interact in the real world. For animators and game designers, these tools are invaluable to their artistic vision, while product designers and marketers are able to rely on 3D software to design a product that meets consumer needs. 3D modeling software has many computer-aided design (CAD) software capabilities, but it serves a different set of industries. CAD software is used to create industrial or mechanical designs, but 3D modeling is more common in animation, game design, and 3D printable models. 3D modeling software gives users direct input into each vertex and manipulates shapes that look more organic. It allows users to play with geometry in a way that creates hyper-accurate models.

Features of 3D modeling software

A base product for 3D modeling software often has limited features, but plugins can offer additional functionality. UV mapping is the 3D modeling process of projecting a 2D image onto a 3D model’s surface for the purpose of texture mapping. Most 3D modeling software comes with UV editing features that let users move, scale, and generally modify the UV topology for a surface. Sculpting features allow users to form virtual 3D surfaces as if they were made of clay. This feature allows more free-form editing and creates complex models with tools such as pushing, pulling, smoothing, and pinching the digital object. Sculpting is beneficial across various industries, such as game design, character animation, and product design. Rendering puts the final touches on 3D models. It involves adding texture, color, and light to make them appear authentic. Most 3D modeling software offers features to help render, but other platforms are specifically dedicated to this process and might be a better fit if rendering is your focus. Animation is probably an obvious feature of 3D modeling software. Some tools provide users with options that bring characters and objects to life. This can include adding expressions and realistic motion to characters. It’s mostly used by animators and video game designers. Simulations help give a deeper, realistic representation of objects. Simulation features allow users to produce effects such as rain, fire, or wind. Component libraries are provided by most 3D modeling software platforms. This includes pre-made geometric shapes so users don’t have to model from scratch. Collaboration features allow multiple users to work on a model simultaneously. Users can leave notes, annotations, and edits. Having multiple team members on a design can speed up the process and eliminate the need for more reworks.

Benefits of 3D modeling software

Prototyping: 3D modeling is one of the easiest ways to show stakeholders what a final product will look like. 3D modeling can make virtual prototypes, allowing for testing and validation before building physical prototypes. Simulation: 3D modeling software is a powerful tool for engineers that helps simulate the behavior of structures, mechanisms, or fluid dynamics, enabling creators to optimize designs for performance and efficiency. Productivity and cost: There’s no longer a need to manufacture prototypes if you use 3D modeling software because all of the creation happens on the computer and the printer. Unnecessary labor and associated costs with manufacturing are eliminated and design issues with the model can also be identified, which prevents nonessential reworks down the line. Collaboration: The software often supports collaborative features so multiple users can work on the same project. This is especially valuable for remote teams working on complex projects.

Page 5 | Best 3D Modeling Software: User Reviews from September 2026

ArcGIS CityEngine

Esri CityEngine is 3D modeling software for quickly creating large urban environments. The environments you choose to create can be based on real-world data or can be completely conceptual. CityEngine saves you time by using rules to automatically create the urban environment based on your input. You can import 3D models you've created in other software to create context around them and export your entire environment into visualization tools, game engines and VR experiences.

Average Rating: 4.2/5.0

Total Reviews: 20

How Do G2 Users Rate ArcGIS CityEngine?

Quality of Support: 8.4/10 (Category avg: 8.1/10)

Who Is the Company Behind ArcGIS CityEngine?

Seller: Esri
Year Founded: 1969
HQ Location: Redlands, CA
Twitter: @Esri
188,738 Twitter followers
LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
7,311 employees on LinkedIn®

Who Uses This Product?

Company Size: 168% Medium, 64% Large

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of ArcGIS CityEngine?

"The Best Urban Structures Designing and City Planning Solution."

Rating: 4.5/5.0 stars

— Derrick C.

Best 3D Modeling Software - Page 5

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Category Stats (Sep 2026)

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G2 Grid® for 3D Modeling Software

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