If you’re interested in 3D design and animation as a hobby or profession, now is the time. The 3D animation industry will grow 12% annually through 2030, signaling plenty of opportunity for fresh talent and ideas. With animation tools more accessible than ever, it’s easy to start learning and transitioning 3D design into a fulfilling hobby, side hustle, or long-term career. But to fulfill your 3D animation dreams, you’ll need digital content creation (DCC) software to bring your ideas to life. Below, you’ll learn the best-of-the-best in animation software and how each platform can help you reach your goals as a 3D designer.
Here’s the list.
1. Blender
2. Cinema 4D
3. Unreal Engine
4. Maya
5. 3ds Max
5 Best Animation Software for 3D Projects
Here is the best animation software on the market; however, the rankings don’t matter because each DCC has its specialties and applications. Dive deeper into our listed resources to learn the best animation software for you.
1. Blender
Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation software that allows users to model, rig, animate, simulate, and render 3D graphics. It features a comprehensive set of tools and a user-friendly interface, making it accessible to beginners and professionals alike.
What’s Blender known for?
- It’s open-source software
- A vast community of users and customizable plugins and features
- Its versatility, from sculpting and rigging to animation and video
How much does Blender cost?
Blender is free to use for any purpose, including commercial and educational purposes. However, additional third-party add-ons and plugins may require additional costs.
Blender system requirements.
Windows: Recommended Windows 10 or 11. 8 cores CPU, 32 GB of RAM, and GPU 8 GB VRAM
Linux: Distribution with glibc 2.28 or newer (64-bit). 8 cores CPU, 32 GB of RAM, and GPU 8 GB VRAM
Mac: Compatible with Apple M1, M2, and M3 processors. Requires macOS 11.2 (Big Sur) or newer
Learn more about Blender.
How to Use Blender, the Free 3D Software
Master 3D Environments in Blender with Our Free YouTube Tutorial
Why You Should Learn Blender
10 Best Plugins for Blender in 2024
5 Best Graphics Cards for Blender
9 Cost-Effective Blender 3D Models That Look Pro
2. Cinema 4D
Cinema 4D is 3D graphics software developed by Maxon. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for modeling, texturing, lighting, animation, and rendering 3D objects and scenes. The software also includes advanced features for character rigging and animation, particle simulations, and special effects.
What’s Cinema 4D known for?
- Compatible software from its parent company, Maxom, which includes ZBrush, Forger, Red Giant, Redshift, and Universe
- Its robust motion graphics and special effects capabilities for animation, film, and television
- Partnerships with Adobe and training organizations to enhance your skills on the platform
How much does Cinema 4D cost?
Free Trial?: Yes, Maxom offers a 14-day free trial of Maxom One, which includes Cinema 4D
Education Discount: $199 per year (Classroom), $60 per year (Student), $60 per year (Teacher)
Maxon One: $99.91 per month, which includes Cinema 4D, Forger, Red Giant, Redshift, Universe, and ZBrush)
C4D + Redshift: $81.91 and includes Maxon’s GPU renderer, Redshift
Cinema 4D system requirements.
Windows: Windows 10 Version 20H2 or higher - or Windows 1. Intel 64-bit CPU or AMD 64-bit CPU with AVX2 support. 16 GB RAM, recommended 24 GB or more
Linux: 64-bit Linux distribution with glibc 2.17 or later
Mac: macOS 11.7.7+ (Big Sur), 12.6+ (Monterey) or 13.3+ (Ventura). Intel-based Apple Macintosh with SSE4.2 support or Apple M1/M2-powered Mac 16 GB RAM, recommended 24 GB or more
Learn more about Cinema 4D.
How to Use Cinema 4D for Motion Graphics, VFX, and Animation
Blender vs Cinema 4D: What’s Better for 3D Motion Graphics?
8 Best Plugins for C4D (Cinema 4D)
10 Cinema 4D Models That Are Realistic and Easy to Use
Reasons to Learn Cinema 4D
3. Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine is a 3D game engine and creation software developed by Epic Games. It features a range of tools for creating immersive 3D environments, including advanced graphics and rendering capabilities, and physics simulations.
What’s Unreal Engine known for?
- Its user-friendly interface
- Creating iconic video games like Fortnite
- Virtual reality and augmented reality development
- Its extensive marketplace of assets, plugins, models, and effects
How much does Unreal Engine cost?
Education Discount: Free for educators and schools (no revenue limits)
Royalty-based: Free for game developers, individuals, and small businesses until the sales threshold
Seat based: $1,850 per license
Unreal Engine system requirements.
Windows: Windows 10 64-bit, quad-core Intel or AMD, 2.5 GHz or faster, 8 GB RAM, DirectX 11 or 12 compatible graphics card
Linux: Linux Ubuntu 18.04, quad-core Intel or AMD, 2.5 GHz or faster, 32 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 or Higher
Mac: Latest macOS 13.x, quad-core Intel, 2.5 GHz or faster, 8 GB RAM, Metal 1.2 Compatible Graphics Card
Learn more about Unreal Engine.
How to Use Unreal Engine 5 (Step-by-Step Guide)
Unreal Engine vs Blender: What’s the Difference?
Unreal Engine 6: Everything You Need to Know
Why You Should Learn Unreal Engine
9 Best Plugins for Unreal Engine
5 Best Graphics Cards for Unreal Engine 5
Get Free Unreal Engine 5 Assets with “Mission to Minerva”
6 Unreal Engine Assets for Your Next Sci-Fi or Fantasy Project
4. Maya
Maya is a 3D computer graphics software used in the film, television, and video game industries. It offers a powerful and flexible set of tools for modeling, texturing, lighting, rigging, animating, and rendering 3D characters and objects.
What’s Maya known for?
- Lifelike character animation and realistic special effects
- Easy bundling and integration between other Autodesk products like 3ds Max, AutoCAD, and Fusion
How much does Maya cost?
Free Trial?: Yes, Autodesk offers a 30-day free trial of Maya
1 month: $235
1 Year: $1,875
3 year: $5,625
Media & Entertainment Collection: $2,605 for one year (includes Maya, 3ds Max, MotionBuilder, and Arnold)
Maya system requirements.
Windows: Microsoft Windows 10, version 1809 or higher. MicrosoftWindows 11. 64-bit Intel. 8 GB of RAM (16 GB or more recommended)
Apple: macOS 13.x, 12.x, 11.x. Apple Silicon arm64 or Intel x86
Linux: Red Hat® Enterprise 8.7 WS, Rocky Linux 8.7, Red Hat® Enterprise 9.3 W, Rocky Linux 9.3
Learn more about Maya.
Maya 3d Modeling for Beginners
Blender vs Maya: Which DCC to Choose?
9 Best Maya Plugins
11 Best Maya 3D Models for Beginners Right Now
5. 3ds Max
3ds Max by Autodesk is a professional 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software used by architects, engineers, game developers, and visual effects artists. It offers a wide range of tools for modeling, texturing, rigging, animating, and rendering 3D objects and scenes.
What’s 3ds Max known for?
- Its modeling and detailing tools for props and animation
- Easy bundling and integration between other Autodesk products like Maya, AutoCAD, and Fusion
How much does 3ds Max cost?
Free Trial?: Yes, Autodesk offers a 30-day free trial of 3ds Max
1 month: $235
1 Year: $1,875
3 year: $5,625
Media & Entertainment Collection: $2,605 for one year (includes Maya, 3ds Max, MotionBuilder, and Arnold)
3ds Max system requirements.
Windows: 64-bit Microsoft Windows 11 and 10. 64-bit Intel or AMD multi-core processor with SSE4.2 instruction set. 4 GB of RAM minimum (8 GB or more recommended).
Learn more about 3ds Max.
How to Use 3ds Max for Animation and VFX
Blender vs 3ds Max: What’s Better for Game Development?
9 Best 3ds Max Plugins
(Mostly) Free 3ds Max Models for Your Animation Project
Start designing with any software.
Now that you understand the best animation software for 3D designers, it’s time to start experimenting, learning, and creating.
With Cargo from KitBash3D (that’s us), you can download kits suited for all five of the software on this list. Cargo is an asset browser plugin that gives you access to over 15,000 premium 3D models and materials. With 1-click import to all the best animation software, powerful search and filtering, and a vast library of 3D assets from a wide variety of genres, Cargo houses one of the largest asset libraries for 3D animation software. Happy KitBashing!
