As a hobbyist or beginner interested in 3D animation, you may feel overwhelmed by the many options on the market, unsure which one suits you best. Also, limited by budget, you do not want to purchase these expensive subscription plans in haste. So, we’ve created a list of the best beginner-friendly 3D animation softwares on the market and all of them have free plans! We believe that the only way to find the perfect match for you is by trying them out!
4 Reasons to Learn 3D Animation
High Industry Demand
The demand for 3D animators spans across various industries including movies, video games, advertising, and virtual reality, among others. Acquiring skills in 3D animation can significantly enhance your competitiveness in the job market.
Diverse Uses
3D animation extends far beyond the realm of entertainment. It's also extensively utilized in architecture, engineering, and education, offering a diverse range of career opportunities and flexibility.
Freelance Options
Many animators choose to freelance, allowing them to work remotely and select projects they are passionate about.
Creative Freedom
3D animation allows you to bring worlds, characters, and narratives to life, transforming your imaginative concepts into vibrant realities.
Can I Learn 3D Animation On My Own?
Simple answer, yes!
Many people teach themselves 3D animation through online tutorials, courses, and hands-on practice. While having formal training can help, it’s not necessarily required. Some beginner-friendly software options, such as Mixamo and Meshy, are crafted to facilitate learning, enabling you to swiftly begin whenever you feel ready to embark on your educational journey.
4 Key Factors to Consider When Selecting 3D Animation Software
Goals and Budget
Decide what you want to create (e.g., realistic, cartoonish) and how much you can spend. Some software is free, while others offer advanced features for a price, so find one that matches both your goals and budget.
Ease of Use
Look for software that’s beginner-friendly with simple interfaces and plenty of tutorials. Starting with easier software can help you learn faster and build confidence.
Compatibility
Ensure the software works well on your computer and with any other tools you plan to use, like rendering engines or game development platforms.
Features for Creativity
Choose software that offers tools and options to let your creativity shine. Software with active user communities can also provide inspiration and support as you learn.
What's the Best 3D Animation Software for Beginners?
Here is a list of highly recommended 3D animation software that is friendly to beginners for game development, character design, and other use. It's worth mentioning that they all have a FREE plan!
Blender
Blender is free and open-source, with powerful tools for modeling, sculpting, animation, and rendering. It has a large community with tons of tutorials, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
Blender homepage
Pros
- Completely free to download and use
- Strong community support with extensive online tutorials and courses
- Covers the full 3D creation process
- Offers a procedural workflow, allowing you to undo recent changes without affecting the 3D object’s structure
Cons
- Not widely used by big companies, which often prefer paid software
- Hard to learn at first; the interface can be challenging for beginners
- Has some bugs; relies on community fixes since it’s open-source
- May run slowly on older computers
Pricing
Free, and users can donate to support Blender’s community advancement
Features
- Modeling
- Rendering
- Sculpting
- Animation & Rigging
- Story Artist
- Simulation
Meshy
Meshy is a 3D AI toolkit that helps to effortlessly transform text or images into 3D models in seconds. This free 3D modeling software is designed to simplify the creation and manipulation of 3D assets. It offers intuitive features that make it accessible for both beginners and experienced designers in digital art, gaming, and animation.
Meshy's user interface
Pros
- Beginner-Friendly: Easily create and customize 3D models with simple text prompts, perfect for complete beginners
- Text and Image to 3D Models: Quickly turn text instructions or images into 3D models within minutes
- AI-Powered Texturing: Use AI to apply textures to models through text prompts
- Multiple Export Options: Export models in formats like OBJ, GLB, USDZ, and FBX for wide compatibility
Cons
- Limited Editing: Models need to be exported to other software for detailed edits
- Lower Precision: Not as precise as hand-crafted models
- Free Version Restrictions: Limited free usage each month
Pricing
- Free: 200 credits per month
- Pro $16/month: 1,000 credits per month (Best for individual creator)
- Max $48/month: 4,000 credits per month (Best for studios and teams)
- Max Unlimited $96/month: unlimited relaxed generations
Features
- AI-Assisted Tools
- Text to 3D
- Image to 3D
- AI Texturing
- Text to Voxel
Autodesk Maya
Autodesk Maya is a 3D animation software for Windows, macOS, and Linux, used to create assets for video games, animated films, TV series, and visual effects.
Autodesk Maya's homepage
Pros
- Flexible Toolset: Maya offers a wide range of features with support for custom scripts and plugins
- High-Quality Renders: Delivers professional, high-resolution render outputs
- User-Friendly: The interface is accessible and beginner-friendly
Cons
- Performance Issues: Rendering can be slow, and users report occasional crashes
- Outdated Interface: The design could be modernized for improved usability
Pricing
- 30-day free trial is available
- Monthly Subscription: $235
- Annual Subscription: $1,875
- 3-Year Subscription: $5,625
Features
- Modeling
- Animation
- Simulation
- Rendering
Mixamo
Mixamo is a software for creating and customizing 3D character animations quickly and easily. It provides a vast library of pre-made animations and characters, making it ideal for game developers, animators, and designers.
Mixamo's display of its animation library
Pros
- Mixamo provides an extensive library of pre-made animations and characters for rapid prototyping
- It’s highly customizable, allowing users to tailor animations to their specific needs
- Once learned, it’s versatile and effective for various animation needs
- Mixamo is suitable for multiple industries, offering solutions for game development, animation, and design
Cons
- The initial learning curve can be steep
- Licensing can be expensive compared to other platforms
- Mixamo’s built-in mobile solutions may be limited, requiring third-party options
Pricing
Completely free
Features
- 3D Modeling
- Animations & Transitions
- Content Library
- Digital Asset Management
- Media Import
Actorcore
ActorCore is a new online library of motion-capture moves stocks for architectural visualization and games. This asset store has a diverse motion capture library and fully-rigged characters for animation, game, and business projects, compatible with major 3D tools.
Actorcore's category of human body animation
Pros
- It has a diverse range of production-ready animation assets to choose from
- The operator interface is easy for a new hand
- It is compatible with all major 3D programs
- There are step-by-step guides and tutorials provided
Cons
- Some items can be over priced for some hobbyists
Pricing
- About 32 free downloads in FBX format
- For individual clips, prices of items in the store range from $1.5 to $12
- For packs of assets, the price can go up to $200
Features
- 3D Design & Modeling
- Animation
- Annotations
- Collaboration Tools
- Design Management
Daz 3D
Daz 3D is a designing software for 3D art, animation, and scene creation tool. It has become a go-to tool for many people in the animation industry, enabling them to create impressive productions with its wide array of environments and props.
Daz 3D's homepage
Pros
- High-Quality Models: Daz 3D offers excellent models in categories like environments, props, clothing, and characters, which are easy to import/export
- Easy Customization: Morph sliders and plugins make character customization intuitive and time-saving
- Powerful Animation System: Features like muscle group flex provide realistic animations, even in the free version
Cons
- Limited Animation Options: Users often turn to other programs like iClone for more robust animation features
- Compatibility Issues: Some content doesn’t work smoothly with all characters, limiting control
- Complex Interface and Stability Issues: The interface can be confusing, and crashes disrupt workflow
Pricing
- The software is free while the assets need to be paid
Features
- Character Creation
- Rigging
- Animation
- Rendering
Adobe Character Animator
Adobe Character Animator uses your webcam, microphone, and machine learning to capture your facial expressions, gestures, and voice, mapping them onto a 2D character to animate it in real-time.
Adobe Character Animator's homepage
Pros
- Extensive tutorials make it easy to learn, especially for beginners
- Allows creation of custom characters using Photoshop and Illustrator
- Real-time live animation provides dynamic, on-the-fly adjustments
- Included in the Creative Cloud package with access to other Adobe apps
Cons
- Advanced features have a steep learning curve
- Complex character rigging can be time-consuming
- Limited to 2D animation, lacking robust 3D capabilities
Pricing
- It provides a free plan called Starter mode, but with a simplified interface
- It also provides a 7-day free trial including all creative apps
- $89.99 per month
- $659.88 per year
Features
- 2D Drawing
- 3D Modeling
- Animations & Transitions
- Collaboration Tools
- Content Library
- Data Storage Management
Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine is a powerful, real-time 3D game engine developed, widely used for game development, film production, and interactive experiences. It offers advanced graphics, a robust set of tools, and supports high-quality visuals, making it popular for creating immersive and photorealistic environments.
Unreal Engine's homepage
Pros
- There are opportunities to implement the most cutting-edge art visuals
- It can work very well even with heavy assets and environments
- It has excellent toolkit for multiplayer, AI, and the latest VR projects
Cons
- Interface is a little complex
- A slightly steep learning curve for beginners
- Releasing the full potential of the engine requires rather high system requirements
Pricing
It is free for game developers (royalties apply after $1 million USD gross product revenue), Individuals and small businesses (with less than $1 million USD in annual gross revenue), and educators and schools (no revenue limits).
If the developed product earns more than $1 million, 5% royalties need to be paid.
Features
- 2D Drawing
- 3D Games
- Animation
- Physics Simulation
- Player Management
- Prototype Creation
Cascadeur
Cascadeur's homepage
Cascadeur is a 3D animation software that lets you create and edit keyframe animations, including imported ones. Its AI and physics tools make animating faster and produce great results.
Pros
- Easy-to-use rigging setup
- Useful tutorials and compatibility with other software
- Detailed rigging tools enable precise character control
- AI-assisted tools create lifelike, realistic animations
Cons
- No Mac support
- Full version not yet available
- Early development stage, so some features are still missing
Pricing
- Free for Basic plan
- $30/month or $300 annually for Pro plan
- $100/month or $1,000 annually for Business plan
Features
- AI-Assisted Tools
- Character Animation
- Video Editing
- Copy/Paste Retargeting
Conclusion
Whether you’re interested in character design, game development, or simply want to learn the basics, you can always find the best 3D animation tool on this list that can empower you. These animation software programs offer user-friendly interfaces, helpful communities, and free versions, making it easy for beginners to explore 3D animation. With the right software and a bit of practice, you’ll be able to bring your ideas to life and maybe even kickstart a career in animation. So, why wait? Choose your software and start animating today!
