Jumping headfirst into the world of 3D modeling might feel as intimidating as learning a second language.

Suddenly, you’ve got at your fingertips a whole host of tools, vocabulary, and methodologies, all of them intriguing but rather confusing in equal measure, and you find yourself wondering, like every hopeful artist, what is the best software for beginners in 3D modeling?

Don’t be afraid of the software because, just like me, you will get the hang of it if you truly have fun being creative and are curious enough.

You don’t need a computer graphics degree or access to a supercomputer to start on your creative journey. The key is to choose a tool that matches your current skill set and ambitions.

To help you create your very first polygon, I’ve personally listed the best three options for you.

1. Tinkercad: The Absolute Beginner’s Playground

If you can imagine turning nothing into a 3D model within the course of an hour, then Tinkercad is the answer you have been looking for. The browser program is more like a computer set of building blocks than a commercial suite. Using it, you are able to create complex objects by applying and subtracting basic shapes like cubes, cylinders, and spheres.

Pros: Incredibly easy to learn, runs in your web browser (no installation), and is perfect for creating simple models for 3D printing.

Perfect for students, teachers, and anyone willing to learn the basic principles of 3D space but intimidated by the complex technicalities.

2. SketchUp Free: For the Aspiring Architect

SketchUp is famous for its easy-to-use “push-and-pull” interface, which makes it possible for people to turn any flat 2D figure into an engaging 3D shape with a simple upward pull. While it has powerful paid versions popular among architects and designers, the free web-based application is a great place to start for people just starting out.

Pros: It is exceptionally user-friendly for building and geometric modeling, and it has a much more gentle learning curve than other programs.

Best for building simple buildings, furniture, interiors, or any object that is distinguished by graceful lines and smooth facades.

3. Blender: The Powerful, Do-It-All Solution

This may seem intimidating at first, but let us break it down for you. Blender is a totally free, open-source, professional-grade 3D suite. It has the capacity to do everything from modeling and sculpting to animation and visual effects. Though the huge scope of features makes it the most advanced option on this list, its beginner resources are unmatched.

Pros: It’s 100% free forever, incredibly powerful, and has the largest online community of any 3D software, meaning endless tutorials and guides.

Perfect for potential newcomers looking to take their initial model into a series of tutorials, it provides the ease of guiding them along the way from their initial model to a complex professional portfolio.

When considering the perfect 3D modeling software for beginners, the decision very much depends on the subject of your project. Start with Tinkercad to get accustomed, and when you feel comfortable, move to SketchUp to get to know your creative inspirations.

If you’re confident, you may start with Blender, which you’ll find indispensable your whole life.