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3D Tools & Engines

This page is a list of resources to help you build your own 3D Worlds! Priority goes to obscure older/abandonware and open source software :^)

Discussion happening on the forum:
Discuss 3D tools!
Discuss game engines!
If there's a tool you particularly love, make a topic about it!

TODO:
More organization, descriptions, links to guides

Tools

  • 3D Studio - the original 3D modeling program for DOS - still good for low poly work!
  • Blockbench - modern open-source low poly editor that does minecraft-style models!
  • Bryce 5 - only outputs 2D images I think, but the images are very cool 3D renders of weird spaces
  • Poser 3 - for making early 00s game characters
    • this one is still actively developed and you can get v13 as of writing - its kinda expensive though! If you look on eBay/Amazon you can get older copies like 11 much cheaper!
  • MacRenderMan - its the software made by Pixar for their very early films and if you want to make a pre-toystory style animation this would be the real deal!
  • BlobSculptor - a lil program for old mac that allows you to crate blob creatures!
  • Tree Pro 4.0 - makes trees (for Mac Classic)
  • Sculptris - made by the same people who made ZBrus
  • Plant Studio - an older program that lets you design and evolve plants
  • Asset Forge - newer, and it's a bit like kit bashing, but in 3d
  • Anim8or - good for making old 90's cheap goofy CGI looking characters

Landscapes

  • World Machine - this ones still updated but its been around for years - generates 3D landscapes! (Free version is fine)
  • LandSculptor3D - a lil landscape maker for classic mac made by a student, useful for small landscapes!
  • Vertex Meadow - tool that turns 2D .png files into explorable 3D environments

Engines

  • MelonEngine - mini Three.js game engine
  • Bitsy 3D - fork of the tiny adventure game engine bitsy that adds a 3D scene editor
  • Godot - probably the most powerful free, open-source game engine

Level Editors