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Comparison of 3D computer graphics software
List article

3D computer graphics software refers to packages used to create 3D computer-generated imagery.

General information

Current software

This table compares elements of notable software that is currently available, based on the raw software, with no added plug-ins.

ApplicationLatest release dateand versionDeveloperPlatformsMain usesLicense
3ds Max2024-10-16v 2025.3AutodeskWindowsModeling, animation (video games and films only), FX simulation, lighting, renderingProprietary
AC3D2022-04-27v 9.0InivisLinux, macOS, WindowsModelingProprietary
Alibre Design2022-08-03v 25Alibre, LLCWindowsComputer aided designProprietary
AutoCAD2022-03-28v 2023AutodeskmacOS, Windows2D computer aided design, 3D modeling, basic rendering, rudimentary animation (of camera, not objects)Proprietary
Blender2024-08-20v 4.2.112Blender FoundationWindows, macOS, Linux, BSD, Solaris, AmigaOS 4, MorphOS2D–3D cartoon animation, lighting, modeling, node based material creation, texturing, 3D texture painting, UV mapping, rendering (internal, external, 3D anaglyph and VR), 3D rigging and animation, sculpting, visual 3D effects, basic post-production video editing, motion tracking, Python scripting, fluid simulation, particles, physics, compositingGPL-2.0-or-later3
Carrara2013-08-268.5.1.19Daz 3DWindows, macOSAnimation, modelingProprietary
Cheetah 3D2021-02-20v 7.5.1Martin WengenmayermacOSAnimation, modeling, renderingProprietary
Cinema 4D2022-04-20S26MaxonmacOS, Windows, Amiga OS4Animation, lighting, modeling, visual 3D effects, rendering, simulationProprietary
CityEngine2018-09-18v 2018.1EsrimacOS, Windows, LinuxProcedural Modeling of 3D CitiesProprietary
Cobalt2020-02-04v11Ashlar-VellummacOS, WindowsModeling, computer aided design, animationProprietary
DesignSpark Mechanical2020-07-20v5.0SpaceClaim, RS ComponentsWindowsModeling, computer aided design, rapid prototyping, 3D printingProprietary
Electric Image Animation System2013-06v9.1.0EIAS3DmacOS, WindowsAnimation, lighting, rendering, film, television, visual 3D effectsProprietary
FreeCAD2024-01-08v 0.21.25Jürgen Riegel, Werner Mayer, Yorik van HavremacOS, Windows, unix, LinuxCAD, FEA with Calculix, Python scripting, parametric design, robot simulation, CAM, BIM, import and exportLGPL 2.0 or later
form-Z pro/jr/free2020-02-?9.0.2Autodessys, Inc.macOS, WindowsAnimation, modeling, lighting, rendering, fabricating, set designProprietary
Hexagon2018-02-162.5.2.109Daz 3DWindows, macOSSubdivision modeling, UV mappingProprietary
HiCAD2017-02-13v HiCAD 2017ISD Software und SystemeWindows2D/3D modeling, computer aided design, Automatic drawing generation, BIM, animation, HELiOS PDM integration, API scriptingProprietary
Houdini2024-05-31v 20.5Side Effects SoftwareWindows, macOS, LinuxAnimation, lighting, modeling, visual 3D effectsProprietary
iClone2019-12-17v 7.71.3626.1ReallusionWindowsAnimation, film and television previz, videogame asset creation, lighting, visual 3D effectsProprietary
Inventor2021-01v 2021.2.1AutodeskWindowsModeling, computer aided design, rapid prototyping, 3D printingProprietary
LightWave 3D2020-08-07v 2020.0.2LightWave DigitalmacOS, Windows, Amiga OS6Modeling, animation, lighting, rendering, film and television previz, videogame asset creationProprietary
MASSIVE?v 3.5Massive SoftwareWindows, LinuxArtificial intelligence in modelsProprietary
Maya2024-08-13v 2025.2AutodeskWindows, macOS, LinuxModeling, NURBS modeling sculpting, rigging, skinning, retargeting, animation, lighting, rendering, Bifrost fluids, Python scripting, Bifrost ocean simulation system, UV mapping, MASH procedural effects, time and graph editor, Arnold renderer, color management polygon modeling, visual 3D effectsProprietary
Metasequoia2022-12-234.8.4btetraface Inc.Windows, macOSModelingProprietary
Modo2022-06-2116v2The FoundrymacOS, Windows, LinuxModeling, animation, renderingProprietary
Mudbox2022-04-182023AutodeskmacOS, Windows, LinuxLighting, sculpting (the deformation of the model)Proprietary
OpenSCAD2021-01-31v 2021.01Marius Kintel, Claire WolfmacOS, Windows, Unix, LinuxCAD, scripting, parametric design, CSGGPL-2.0-or-later
PTC Creo (former Pro/Engineer)2020v 7.0PTCWindows, HP-UX, UnixModeling, computer aided designProprietary
Remo 3D2025-02-17v 3.1.2RemographWindows, LinuxModeling, virtual reality, real-time modeling, video game creation, computer aided designProprietary
Rhinoceros 3D2020-12-08v 7McNeelWindows, macOSModeling, computer aided design, scripting with Grasshopper, many plug-in for simulation, CAM, BIM, rendering, and moreProprietary
Salome2020-12-01v 9.6Open Cascade EDF CEAWindows, Unix, LinuxCAD, scripting, parametric design, CSG, meshing, pre-post for CAELGPL 2.1 or later
Shade 3D2022-11-08v 23.1FORUM 8 [ja]macOS, WindowsModeling, computer aided design, rendering, animationProprietary
Silo2022-11-03v 2023.0NevercentermacOS, WindowsModelingProprietary
Tekla Structures2024-09-13

v 2024 SR 4.1

TeklaWindows3D modeling, reporting, 2D drawings, 3D drawings, CAD, CAM, BIMProprietary
SketchUp Pro2021-01-05 7v 21.0.1 (Win64)

v 16.1.1450 (Win32)v 20.0 (Mac64)

Trimble NavigationmacOS, WindowsModeling, computer aided designProprietary
Solid Edge2020-06-? 2021 ST13Siemens Digital Industries SoftwareWindowsComputer aided designProprietary
SolidWorks2022-07-11v SolidWorks 2022 SP3.1Dassault SystèmesWindowsComputer aided designProprietary
SpaceClaim2020-08-08v 2020.R2AnsysWindowsComputer aided designProprietary
Verto Studio 3D2021-02-12v2.5.0Michael L. FarrellmacOS, iOSMobile modeling, texture mapping, lightingProprietary
Wings 3D2020-12-20v 2.2.6Dan Gudmundsson (maintainer)macOS, Windows, BSD, LinuxModeling, sculpting (the deformation of the model), UV mappingBSD
ZBrush2022-02-07v 2022.0.5MaxonmacOS, WindowsModeling, texturing, lighting, sculpting (the deformation of the model), renderingProprietary

Inactive software

There are many discontinued software applications.

ApplicationLatest release date and versionDeveloperPlatformsMain usesLicense
Bryce2010-12-237.1.0.109Daz 3DWindows (32-bit), macOS (10.7 and above)Animation, landscape modeling, fractal geometryProprietary
Clara.ioredesigned in 2015-03-31ExocortexMozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet ExplorerModeling, animation, renderingProprietary
E-on Vue2021-12-09v 2021.2E-on Software (part of Bentley Systems)macOS, WindowsAnimation, landscape modeling, lightingProprietary
POV-Ray2013-11-09v3.7.0The POV-TeammacOS, Windows, Linux, AmigaOSLighting, visual 3D effectsAGPL-3.0-or-later
SketchUp Make2017-11-14 8v 18.0.16975 (Win64)v 18.0.16976 (Mac64)Trimble NavigationmacOS, WindowsModeling, computer aided designProprietary
Softimage2014-04-14"2015" (final release)AutodeskWindows, LinuxModeling, animation, video game creation, lighting, rendering, visual 3D effectsProprietary
solidThinking Evolve (predecessor of Altair Inspire Studio)?-?v 9.0Altair EngineeringmacOS, WindowsModelingProprietary
trueSpace2009-05-25v 7.61Caligari CorporationWindows, AmigaOSAnimation, modelingProprietary
VistaPro2005v 4.2Hypercube Engineering, Monkey Byte DevelopmentWindowsLandscape modelingProprietary

Operating system support

The operating systems on which the editors can run natively (without emulation or compatibility layers), meaning which operating systems have which editors specifically coded for them (not, for example, Wings 3D for Windows running on Linux with Wine).

NameWindowsmacOSLinuxUnixBSDiOSAndroidOther
3ds MaxYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
AC3DYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
Art of IllusionJava virtual machine
AutoCADYesYesNoNoNoNoNo
BlenderYesYesYesYesYesNoNo9
CarraraYesYesNoNoNoNoNo
Cheetah 3DNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Cinema 4DYesYesNoNoNoNoNoAmiga OS
Clara.ioYesYesYesYesYes?YesChromeOS
DesignSpark MechanicalYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
Electric Image Animation SystemYesYesNoNoNoNoNo
form-ZYesYesNoNoNoNoNo
HiCADYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
HoudiniYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
ICloneYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
LightWave 3DYesYesNoNoNoNoNo10
MakeHumanYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
MassiveYesNoYesNoNoNoNo
MayaYesYesYesdropped11NoNoNo
MetasequoiaYesYesNoNoNoNoNo
ModoYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
POV-RayYesYesYesNoNoNoNo12
Remo 3DYesNoYesNoNoNoNo
ShadeYesYesNoNoNoNoNo
SiloYesYesdropped in 2.5NoNoNoNo
SketchUpYesYesSketchUp for Web13??YesViewer only
Tekla StructuresYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
SoftimageYesNoXSI 2.0 and laterdroppedNoNoNo
Solid EdgeYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
solidWorksYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
solidThinkingYesYesNoNoNoNoNo
SpaceClaimYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
trueSpaceYesNoNoNoNoNoNoAmiga OS}
Verto Studio 3DNoYesNoNoNoYesNo
E-on VueYesYesNoNoNoNoNo
Wings 3DYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
ZBrushYesYesNoNoNoNoNo

Features

Modeling3D PaintingAnimationRendering3D TrackingCompositing
3ds MaxYesYesYesYesNoSome
AC3DYes??NoNoNo
BlenderYesYesYesYesYesYes
Electric Image Animation Systemdropped14?YesYesNo?
Cinema 4DYesYesYesYesR16 or laterNo
Clara.ioYes?YesYesNo?
CobaltYes?YesYesNo?
HiCADYesYesYesYesNoNo
HoudiniYesYesYesYesNoYes
ICloneYes?YesYes??
Lightwave 3DYesNoYesYesNoYes
MakeHumanparameter-basedNoNoNoNoNo
MayaYesYesYesYesdropped (Maya Live)dropped (Maya Composer, Maya Fusion, and Maya Composite)
MetasequoiaYesNoNoYesNoNo
ModoYesYesYesYesNoNo
Remo 3DYesNoYesYesNoNo
ShadeYesNoYesYesNoNo
SoftimageYes3.7 or laterYesYesNoYes
Solid EdgeYes?YesYesNo?
SketchUp MakeYes1516?Yes17Yes18NoNo
SketchUp ProYes1920?Yes21Yes22NoNo
Wings3DYes?NoYesNo?

I/O

Image, video, and audio files

ImportsExports
EXRDDSKTXothersEXRDDSKTXothers
3ds MaxYesYes?BMP, Cineon, TGA, JPG, PNG, Cineon, Radiance HDR, SGI, RLA, RPF, AVI, MPEG and QuickTime, GIF, TIFF, PSD, MOV, YUV????
Art of IllusionNoNoNoGIF, JPG, PNG, BMP, HDR, SVG23???JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, HDR, QuickTime
AC3D?Yes?GIF, JPG, PNG, BMP, PPM, Targa, TIFF?Yes?GIF, JPG, PNG, BMP, PPM, Targa, TIFF
BlenderYesYes?TGA, JPG, PNG, DPX, Cineon, Radiance HDR, Iris, SGI Movie, IFF, AVI and QuickTime, GIF, TIFF, PSD, MOVYes??TGA, JPG, PNG, DPX, Cineon, Radiance HDR, Iris, SGI Movie, IFF, AVI and QuickTime, GIF, TIFF, PSD, MOV
Electric Image Animation System???TGA, JPG, PNG, BMP, Radiance HDR, AVI and QuickTime, TIFF, PSD, MOV???PNG, BMP, AVI and QuickTime GIF, TIFF, MOV
Cinema 4DYesYes?Radiance HDR, BodyPaint 3D, TIFF, PSDYesYes?Radiance HDR, BodyPaint 3D, TIFF, PSD
Clara.ioYes24Yes25?PNG, JPG????
Cobalt???BMP, GIF, JPEG, PICT, PNG, PPM, XBM, XPM???BMP, GIF, JPEG, PICT, PNG, PPM, XBM, XPM
HoudiniYes???Yes???
IClone???JPG, BMP, GIF, TGA, PNG, AVI, WMV, MP3, WAV, popVideo???JPG, BMP, GIF, TGA, PNG, WMV, AVI, MP4, popVideo, FLV, iWidget
Lightwave 3DYes??TGA, JPG, PNG, AI, EPS, BMP, IFF, Radiance HDR, AVI and QuickTime, GIF, TIFF, PSD, MOVYes??TGA, JPG, PNG, BMP, Radiance HDR, IFF, AVI and QuickTime, GIF, TIFF, PSD, MOV
MakeHuman????????
MayaYes??Ai, Aiff, Pix, AVI, Cineon, EPS, GIF, Jpeg, Swf, Maya IFF, Maya16 IFF, MacPaint, PSD, PNG, Quantel, Quickdraw, MOV, RLA, SVG, SGI, SGI16, SGI Movie, TGA, TIF, BMP, HDRYesYes?Maya IFF, AVI, QT, GIF, Softimage, RLA, BMP, TIF, SGI RGB, Alias PIX, Jpeg, EPS, Cineon, Quantel, TGA, Macpaint, PSD, PNG, Quickdraw
MetasequoiaEX version onlyYesNoBMP, JPG, PNG, IFF, TGA, PPM, TIFF, PSD, Radiance HDR????
ModoYes??TGA, BMP, FLX, GIF, HDR, HDR, JP2, JPG, JPEG, PNG, SGI, EPS, AI, PSDYes??TGA, BMP, FLX, GIF, HDR, JP2, JPG, JPEG, PNG, TIF, MOV, MWV, PSD
Remo 3D?Yes?BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG, PNM, SGI (RGB), TGA, TIF???JPG, PNG, SGI (RGB), TIF, XPM
ShadeYes(DDS Converter plugin)??Yes(DDS Converter plugin)?QuickTime VR, Piranesi EPix
Softimage????????
Solid Edge????????
SketchUp Make???JPG, PNG, TIF, TGA, BMP???JPG, PNG, TIF, BMP
SketchUp Pro???JPG, PNG, TIF, TGA, BMP???JPG, PNG, TIF, BMP, MOV(on Mac), AVI (on Windows)26
E-on Vue????????
Wings3D????????

General 3D files

ImportsExports
FBXOther formatsWeb, mobile, and VR27FBXOther formatsglTFWeb, mobile, and VR28
3ds MaxYes3DS, PRJ, AI, COLLADA, HTR, OBJ, SHP, SKP, TRCVRMLYes3DS, AI, ASE, COLLADA, HTR, OBJ?M3G, VRML97
AC3D2930Yes3DS, AC3D, COLLADA, Lightwave, Massive, Milkshape Ascii, OBJ, OFF, Pointfield, Points, Terragen, Triangle, VectorVRML 1.0, glTF?3DS, 3D Studio ASE, AC3D, Dive, DVS, DXF, COLLADA, Lightwave, Massive, Milkshape Ascii, OBJ, Triangle?VRML 1.0, VRML 2.0, X3D
Blender31YesCOLLADA, 3DS, PLY, OBJ, SVGX3D, glTFYesCOLLADA, PLY, OBJ, SVG, PC2YesX3D
Electric Image Animation SystemYes3DS, OBJ, LWO, MDD?3DS, OBJ, LWONo
Cinema 4DYesOBJ, 3DS, QD3D, LWO/LWSVRML 1, VRML 2YesOBJ, 3DS, QD3D, W3DYesVRML 1, VRML 2
Clara.ioYesOBJ, Collada, 3DS, LWO, GEO, PLY, SHP, XGL, ZGL, AC, BLEND, CSM, LWSVRML, Three.jsYesOBJ, ColladaYesThree.js, Babylon.js
Cobalt?3DS, AI, ASCII TextVRML?AI, ASCII Text, RAW Triangle?Shockwave 3D, VRML
HoudiniYes?Yes?Yes
ICloneYesOBJ, SKP (via 3DXChange)YesOBJ (via 3DXChange)?
Lightwave 3DYes3DS, COLLADA, OBJ, LWO, VideoScapeVRML, VRML97Yes3DS, COLLADA, OBJ, LWO?VRML, VRML97
MakeHumanNoN/AYesCOLLADA, MHX, OBJ, STL?
MayaYesMaya Ascii, Maya Binary, MEL, OBJVRML2YesMaya Ascii, Maya Binary, Mel, OBJ, GE2, RTG?VRML2
Metasequoia3233EX version only3DS, COB,34 LWO, OBJ, ROK (Rokkaku Daiō), SUF (DoGA CGA System)glTFEX version only3DS, PMD, OBJ, COLLADA35Yes36
ModoYesLXO, LWO2, LWOB, 3DS, GEO, OBJ, COLLADAYesLXO, LWO, PLT, GEO, OBJ, COLLADAYesX3D
Remo 3DYes3DC, 3DS, AC, Collada, OpenFlight, LWO, LWS, OBJ, P3D, PLY, STA, SHPOSG37Yes3DS, AC, Collada, DOT, OpenFlight, OBJ, P3D, STL?OSG38
ShadeYesOBJ, SketchUp, XML; (Pro) 3DS, COLLADA, LWOYesCOLLADA, DXF, OBJ, XML; (Pro) 3DS, LWOglTF Converter for Shade3D pluginVRML 2.0, Flash (SWF)
SoftimageYes?Yes?No
Solid Edge???PDF
SketchUp Make?SKP, 3DS39?COLLADA, SKP?
SketchUp Pro?SKP, 3DS40YesCOLLADA, SKP, EPS, EPX (removed v16+), 3DS, OBJ?PDF, VRML
E-on Vue???????
Wings3D?3DS, AI, EPS, LWO, LXO, Nendo, OBJ, SVG, Wings3Ddropped in 1.3.13DS, COLLADA, LWO, LXO, Nendo, OBJ, SVG, Wings3D?VRML 2.0

Game and renderer files

ImportsExports
OpenFlight (FLT)other 3D game files3D renderer filesOpenFlight (FLT)OGREother 3D game files3D renderer files
3ds MaxYesYesNo
AC3D4142NoQuake III BSP, Quake II (MD2), Quake III Mesh (MD3), Irrlicht irrmesh, Renderware, SMFNoYesDirectX X, Second Life Sculpted Prim, Quake II (MD2), Quake Map, SMF, Unreal TournamentPOV-Ray POV, RenderMan RIB
Blenderdroppeddropped(blender2ogre addon)POV-Ray POV
Electric Image Animation System???
Cinema 4D???
Clara.io?DirectX X, Irrlicht irrmeshPOV-Ray POV??Quake II (MD2), Quake III Mesh (MD3), Doom 3 (MD5)
Cobalt???
Houdini???
IClone???
Lightwave 3D?Quake II (MD2)??Quake II (MD2)
MakeHumanNo?YesDoom 3 (MD5)
MayaYesYesNoMental Ray MI, RenderMan RIB
MetasequoiaNo43NoNoDirectX X44RenderMan RIB45
Modo???
Remo 3D?DirectX X, Quake II (MD2)?
Shade???DirectX X, Second Life Sculpted Prim, Blue MarsRenderMan RIB
Softimage???
Solid Edge???
SketchUp Make???
SketchUp Pro???dotXSI
E-on Vue???????
Wings3D???BZFlag, DirectX X, RenderwareKerkythea, POV-Ray POV

Cache and animation files

ImportsExports
Geometry CachePoint CacheParticle CacheAnimation
Alembic (*.abc)Maya Cache (*.mc) 463ds Max PC2 47LightWave MDDMaya Particle Data (*.pda, *.pdb)Houdini BGEORealFlow BINKrakatoa PRTBiovision Hierarchy (*.bvh)Alembic (*.abc)others
3ds MaxYesYesYes??????Yes
AC3D??????????
BlenderYesNoMesh Cache Modifier48????YesYesBVH
Electric Image Animation System??????????
Cinema 4DYes????????Yes
Clara.io????????Yes?BVH
Cobalt??????????
HoudiniYesvia FBX importer??Yes???Yes
IClone????????Yes?BVH
Lightwave 3DYes??YesPartio Node 49No50???Yes
MakeHuman??????????
MayaYesYes??Yes????Yes
Metasequoia??????????
ModoYes??MDD Deformer?????Yes
Remo 3D??????????
Shade??????????BVH
Softimage(Exocortex Crate)??Point Oven?????(Exocortex Crate)
Solid Edge??????????
SketchUp Make??????????
SketchUp Pro??????????
E-on Vue??????????
Wings3D??????????

CAD files

ImportsExports
STLDXFDWGothersSTLDXFDWGothers
3ds MaxYesYesYesIGE, IGS, IGES, IPT, WIRE, IAM, LS, VW, LP, SAT, Catia V4/V5, JT, ProE, RVT, PRT, SolidWorks,51 STEP, WIREYesYesYesATR, BLK, DF, IGS, LAY, LP, SAT, VW
AC3DYesYesNoLDraw (Lego), SOF AirfoilYesYesNoInventor, LDraw (Lego)
BlenderYesYes52NoYesYes53No
Electric Image Animation System?Yes??Yes?
Cinema 4DYesYesYesYesYes?
Clara.ioYesYes?Yes??
Cobalt?YesYesACIS SAT, CATIA v4, CCAD, CGM, CO (native), Drawing board, Facet, Grid Surface, IGS (IGES), Parasolid XT, Pro/E, Rhino 3DM, Spline, STP (STEP)?YesYesACIS SAT, CATIA v4, CGM, CO (native), Drawing board, Facet, Grid Surface, IGS (IGES), Parasolid XT, PDF, Pro/E, STP (STEP)
HoudiniExternal54NoExternal55No
IClone??????
Lightwave 3DYesYesNoYesYesNo
MayaWindows and Mac only56Windows only57IGES, StudioTools WireWindows and Mac only58Windows only59IGES, StudioTools Wire, Open Inventor2
MetasequoiaYesYesNoYesYesNo
ModoYesYesNoSolidWorks60YesYesNo
Remo 3DYesYesNoDW (Designer Workshop)YesNoNo
ShadeYesYesNoYesYesNo
Solid EdgeYesYesYesIGES, STEP, JT, ACIS (SAT), ProE, SolidWorks,61 NX, SDRC, Microstation, Inventor, CATIA (V4/V5), Parasolid, XML, MDSYesYesYesIGES, STEP, EMS, JT, XGL, XML, Parasolid, CATIA (V4/V5), ACIS (SAT), Microstation
SketchUp Make??????
SketchUp ProYesYes62Yes63YesYes64Yes65
E-on Vue??????
Wings3DYes??Yes??

Point clouds and photogrammetry files

Imports
ASTM E57LASer (LAS)Leica Cyclone PTS/PTX/PTGAutodesk ReCap RCS/RCPVisualSFM NVM
3ds Max???Yes?
Blender?(Blender LiDAR Importer addon, Blender-Photogrammetry-Importer addon)??(Blender-Photogrammetry-Importer addon)
HoudiniLidar Import geometry node???

GIS and DEM files

ImportsExports
USGS DEMUSGS SDTS (DDF)LandXMLGeoTIFFShapefileOSMothers
3ds MaxYes66Yes67Yes68???
AC3D??????
Blender???(Blender GIS addon)?
BryceYesYes????VistaPro DEMUSDS DEM
Electric Image Animation System??????
Cinema 4DYes?????VistaPro DEM
Clara.io??????
Cobalt??????
Houdini?????Yes6970
IClone??????
Lightwave 3D(Ground Control plugin)?????
MakeHuman??????
Maya??????
Metasequoia??????
Modo??????
Remo 3D??????
Shade??????
Solid Edge??????
SketchUp MakeYes71Yes72????SKP+KMZSKP+KMZ73
SketchUp ProYes74Yes75????SKP+KMZSKP+KMZ
E-on VueYes76Yes77?Yes78??DTED79
Wings3D??????

Supported primitives

ApplicationPolygonSpline/Bézier SurfaceVoxel, VolumeMetaballPoint CloudsParticles
TrianglesQuadsN-gonsTorus,DonutNURBS regular patchNURBS trimmed surfaceBicubic Bézier patch
BlenderYesYesYesYesYessoc-2014-nurbs branchNo2.83 and laterYes3.1 and laterYes
MayaYesYesYesYesYesYesNo3D TextureYesNoYes
3ds MaxYesYesYes?YesYesPatch ObjectsNoYesYesYes
Cinema 4DYesYesYes????R20 and laterYes?Yes
LightWaveYesYesYesYes(LWCAD plugin)NoOpenVDB primitives80YesNoYes
RhinocerosYesYesYesYesYesYesYesGrasshopperGrasshopperGrasshopperGrasshopper
Shade 3DYesYesYes?CAD modeYesNoYesNoYes
ApplicationCurvesBoneTextCameraLightSpeaker
LinearQuadraticBézierCubicBézierB-splineCardinalsplineHermite splineTCB splineSmoothstepAkima splineNURBS
BlenderBézier curve without subdivisionNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYes
MayaYes?????NoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesNo
3ds MaxYes?YesYesNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesNo
Cinema 4DYesNoYesYesNo?NoNoYes?YesYesYesYesdropped in R2381
LightWave???Yes?only in Graph Editoronly in Graph Editor?No?YesYesYesYes?
Shade 3D??Yes?NoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesSound Object

Modeling

ApplicationHard surface ModelingSculpt ModelingNon-destructive Modeling
Polygon ModelingSubdivision ModelingBase-mesh CreationSketch ModelingSculptingCloth SculptingHandRetopologyAutomatic RetopologyBooleanBevelModifierProcedural
MayaYesYes(SOuP BMesh)NoYesNoYes2020 and laterYesYes?Yes
3ds MaxYesYes(Form)NoPaint DeformNoYes2021.3 and laterYesYesYesMax Creation Graph
BlenderYesYesSkin ModifierTrim Brush with Union/Join modeYes2.83 and laterYesYesYesYesYesGeometry Nodes
ZBrushZModelerZModelerZSphere and ZSketchMeshBalloonYes2021 and laterYesZRemesher4R8 and later?NoNo
Curvy 3DNoNoNoYesYesNo????NoNo

Lookdev, Shader writing

ApplicationPBR viewportViewport effectsInteractive GI RenderingIntegrated CompositingText editor for shader writingMaterial NodesTurntable Rendering
MayaYesSomeArnoldNo?Hypershade, Node Editor, ShaderFXYes82
3ds MaxYesSomeArnold(State Set)OSL Map83Slate Material Editor, ShaderFXEasy Turntable script
MODOYes?YesNo?Nodal ShadingRender Turntable84
BlenderEevee (2.80 and later)CyclesYesText EditorYesTurnaround Camera addon
GafferNoNoexternal renderersYesOSLCode NodeNoNo
Marmoset ToolbagYesYesNoNo?Uber PBR shaders onlyYes85
Substance DesignerYesYEBISNVIDIA Iray??MDL graph?

Lighting

ApplicationAlembicImporterUSDImporterRenderingEngineVolumeRenderingfor cloudsInteractiveRenderingIsolatinglight contributionLightListerIESLightPhysicalSun & SkySun Positioning by location and timesLight PortalShadow CatcherIBL and Environment textureHighlightPlacementLight Mixer
Lat LongsIBLLight Extraction86
MayaYesUSD Extension for MayaMaya Hardware 2.0?YesNo87Light Editor?????Yes??(Place Highlight Tool for Maya)No
Maya Software??Light LinkingNo????Env Sphere??No
ArnoldYesYesLight LinkingAi Photometric LightYes?YesYesYes??Light Mixer imager
3ds MaxYes(USD for Autodesk 3ds Max)Quicksilver?YesNo88Light Lister????????Place HighlightNo
Scanline??Light Exclude/include????Yes?sIBL-GUI software?No
ART???Yes???????No
ArnoldYesYesLight Group89Ai Photometric LightYesSun Positioner90YesYesYes??Light Mixer imager
Blender2.78 and later3.0 and laterWorkbenchSomeYesView Layers91Property Chart Addon, Gaffer addonNo?Sun Position addonNo?Yes??Look At Gizmo (with Ctrl key)No
EEVEESomeYesNoYesNoShader Node92Yes??No
CyclesYesYesLight Groups (3.2 and later)2.80 and later93Yesfrom 2.75from 2.79YessIBL_GUI for Blender addon/Add Environment nodes addon?No
MODOYes14.1 and laterMODO Renderer, mPathYesYesLight Linking94?Photometric LightDirectional Light95PortalShadow CatcherYesmm_sIBLToModoEnvironment script??No
LightWave11.6 and laterNoLightWave RendererYesYes??Photometric LightYesYesYesYesYesoriginal loader script, where most sIBL features were invented96??No
HoudiniYesSolarisMantra (PT), KarmaYesYesLight categoriesLight bankYes???Shadow matteYes??Solaris?
Cinema 4DYesR23 and laterCineRenderYesYesExclude/include?Yes???from R18Yes??Lighting tool?
Redshift CPUYesYesLight Group AOVs?YesYes?YesMatte optionsYes???

Path-tracing rendering

ApplicationCPU renderingGPU rendering
OpenCLNVIDIA CUDA, OptiXAMD HIPSYCL, Intel DPC++Apple MetalTexture streaming (out-of-core)
V-RayYesV-Ray GPU (former V-Ray RT)NoNoNoYes97
RenderManYesNo24 and later98NoNoNo?
ArnoldYesNoYesNoNoNoYes
RedshiftNoNoYesRedshift for AMD (alpha version)NoYes?
Modo mPathYesNoYesNoNoNo?
Houdini KarmaYesNo19 and laterNoNoNoNo
Blender CyclesYesdropped in 3.0Yes3.0 and later3.3 and later3.1 and later2.80 and later99
ApplicationMIPMAPgenerationAdaptive tessellationInstancingCamera cullingDeep pixel renderingFisheye stereofor fulldomeOmnidirectional stereofor HMDDeforming motion blur
V-Rayimg2tiledexr?Yes?YesDomemaster Stereo Shader3.2 and laterYes
RenderMantxmake?Yes?Yes?Yes100Yes
ArnoldmaketxYes101Yes?YesDomemaster Stereo Shader5 and laterYes
Houdini Karmaicp?Yes102?Yes103?15.5 and laterYes
Blender CyclesNo2.78 and laterYesCamera CullNo2.78 and later2.78 and laterYes

Level of detail (LoD) generation, baking

ApplicationLoD generationTexture baking
AutomaticNormal MapAmbient Occlusion (AO) MapLight Map
Tangent Space Normal MapNon-directional(Traditional)Directional
Maya (Turtle renderer)"Generate LOD Meshes"YesYesYesRNM (Radiosity Normal Map), and SH (Spherical harmonics) coefficients
EnlightenNoNo?YesYes
BlenderAssetGen addonYesYesYesNo

See also

References

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  3. License - blender.org http://www.blender.org/about/license/

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  9. Old versions supported AmigaOS, Solaris, and MorphOS /wiki/AmigaOS

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  11. Maya 1.0 - 6.5 supported SGI Irix.

  12. Old versions supported Amiga OS, and Atari TOS /wiki/Amiga_OS

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  23. 7. Textures http://www.artofillusion.org/docs/AoI%20Manual/textures.html

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  32. Compare editions. tetraface https://www.metaseq.net/en/editions.html

  33. バージョンアップ履歴 (in Japanese). tetraface https://www.metaseq.net/jp/release_note.html

  34. Caligari TrueSpace 3D Object format

  35. Metasequoia 4.0.0 dropped its RDS (Ray Dream Studio), and SCE (SoftF/X Model) exporters and 4.7.0 dropped its COB (Caligari TrueSpace 3D Object), DoGA CGA System SUF, and AMF exporters. /wiki/Additive_manufacturing_file_format

  36. Metasequoia 4.7.0 dropped the VRML 1.0 (WRL), and Three.js JMF exporters. /wiki/Three.js

  37. OSG, OSGB, OSGT, OSGX, IVE and OSGA

  38. OSG, OSGB, OSGT, OSGX, IVE and OSGA

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  42. AC3D 8.3 http://www.inivis.com/ac3d83.html

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  44. Metasequoia 4.0.0 dropped its PlayStation RSD importer and exporter. /wiki/PlayStation

  45. Metasequoia 4.7.0 dropped its POV-Ray POV exporter.

  46. Maya Cache and 3ds Max PC2 format are also used with FBX format.

  47. Maya Cache and 3ds Max PC2 format are also used with FBX format.

  48. Mesh Cache Modifier. Blender Foundation https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/modeling/modifiers/modify/mesh_cache.html

  49. Partio Node. NewTek https://docs.lightwave3d.com/lw2020/new-to-2020/openvdb-new-tools/partio-node

  50. Partio Node. NewTek https://docs.lightwave3d.com/lw2020/new-to-2020/openvdb-new-tools/partio-node

  51. SLDPRT and SLDASM

  52. via AutoCAD DXF addon

  53. via AutoCAD DXF addon

  54. Geometry file formats. Side Effects https://www.sidefx.com/docs/houdini/io/formats/geometry_formats.html

  55. Geometry file formats. Side Effects https://www.sidefx.com/docs/houdini/io/formats/geometry_formats.html

  56. Supported data import formats. Autodesk. https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/maya/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2019/ENU/Maya-ManagingScenes/files/GUID-69BC066D-D4D8-4B12-900C-CF42E798A5D6-htm.html

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  69. via Game Development Toolset

  70. Game Development Toolset. Side Effects https://www.sidefx.com/tutorials/game-development-toolset-overview/

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  80. Primitive Type - OpenVDB. NewTek https://docs.lightwave3d.com/lw2019/reference/layout/object-properties/primitive-type/primitive-type-openvdb

  81. R23 - Removed features (Virtual Walkthrough, ProRender, Sound System) MAXON https://support.maxon.net/kb/faq.php?id=108

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  84. Render Commands, Foundry http://modo.docs.thefoundry.co.uk/modo/601/help/pages/shaderendering/RenderCommands.html

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  86. Auto HDRI Light Gen for Maya Creates Practical Lighting Setups from HDR Images, Lesterbanks, April 30, 2013 http://lesterbanks.com/2013/04/auto-hdri-light-gen-for-maya-creates-practical-lighting-setups-from-hdr-images/

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  91. The composition of the passes is required.

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  94. Shader The Foundry https://help.thefoundry.co.uk/modo/902/content/help/pages/shading_lighting/shader_items/shader.html

  95. Directional Light The Foundry https://help.thefoundry.co.uk/modo/902/content/help/pages/shading_lighting/lights/directional_light.html

  96. "Software". www.hdrlabs.com. Retrieved 2019-08-08. http://www.hdrlabs.com/sibl/software.html

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  100. Features Archived 2016-12-24 at the Wayback Machine, Pixar https://rmanwiki.pixar.com/display/REN/Features

  101. Subdivision Settings, Solid Angle https://support.solidangle.com/display/AFMUG/Subdivision+Settings

  102. Karma Renderer FAQs https://www.sidefx.com/faq/karma/

  103. Karma Renderer FAQs https://www.sidefx.com/faq/karma/