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 :^)

• 3D Studio (1992-1994) DOS
  • the original 3D modeling program for DOS - still good for low poly work!
• MacRenderMan (1994) Classic Mac
  • 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!
• Cilgari/MS Truespace (1994) Windows
  • modeling, animation, rendering
• Blender (1994-) Windows, Linux, MacOS
  • probably the most powerful free and open source computer graphics software
  • TODO: MelonLand Blender resources page
• StrataVision 3D (1995) Classic Mac
  • the program Myst was made with
  • Guide: Making Myst-ish worlds on your site
• BlobSculptor (1997) Classic Mac
  • a lil program for old mac that allows you to create blob creatures!
• Poser 3 (1998) Windows 95/98/NT, Power Macintosh
  • 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!
• Teddy (1999) Web (requires Java)
  • 3D drawing applet
• Anim8or (1999-2017) Windows
  • good for making old 90's cheap goofy CGI looking characters
• Bryce 5 (2005) Windows
  • only outputs 2D images I think, but the images are very cool 3D renders of weird spaces
  • The newest version is 7.1 from 2010 and you can still buy it - often on sale for around 4 euro from DAZ
  • Getting started videos on YouTube
• Sweet Home 3D (2006) Windows
  • for interior design
• Sculptris (2010)
  • made by the same people who made ZBrush
• Asset Forge (2017-) Windows, Linux, MacOS
  • newer, and it's a bit like kit bashing, but in 3d
• Blockbench (2018-) Windows, Linux, MacOS, Web
  • modern open-source low poly editor that does minecraft-style models!

• LandSculptor3D (1995) Classic Mac
  • a lil landscape maker made by a student, useful for small landscapes!
• Tree Pro 4.0 (1995) Classic Mac
  • makes trees!
• Plant Studio (1997) Windows, MacOS
  • design and evolve plants
• Vue d'Espirit 4 (2004) Windows, MacOS
  • natual scenery generator
• World Machine (2005-) Windows
  • this ones still updated but its been around for years - generates 3D landscapes! (Free version is fine)
• Vertex Meadow (2015-2018) Web
  • tool that turns 2D .png files into explorable 3D environments

• Godot (2014-) Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, Web
  • probably the most powerful free, open-source game engine
• sok-worlds (2020) Windows, MacOS
  • make and explore 3d collage worlds
  • the worlds can't be exported, so they're stuck in the sok-worlds ecosystem, which costs $3 USD
• MelonEngine (2021) JavaScript
  • mini Three.js game engine
• Bitsy Color 3D (2021) Web
  • fork of the tiny adventure game engine bitsy that adds more colors and a 3D scene editor
• Eldiron (2024-) Windows, Linux, MacOS
  • 2D & 3D retro RPG engine
• raylib (2014-) Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, iOS, Web, Switch, N64, Dreamcast, PS1
  • only for programmers - but is very indie and very powerful with support for retro exports

• Doom Engine
• Valve Hammer Editor (Source Engine)