Best 3D Rendering Software in 2021: TOP-7 Tools

When searching for your perfect contractor for CG imagery, you expect them to be the best 3D artists on the market who can deliver projects of any scale. In fact, these must be the most skilled professionals who use the best 3D rendering software to provide you with photorealistic 3D visualizations. 

Therefore, to make sure you work with a top 3d rendering company, ask what software they use. But first, take note of what cutting-edge 3D rendering tools will be on the market in 2021 so that you are well informed in advance.

#1. 3ds Max

OS: Windows

Price: $1620/year

Autodesk 3ds Max is a legendary 3D program that provides first-class visualization for architectural and interior projects, product imagery, game and movie industries. In a 2021 software version, Autodesk added retopology modifiers such as ReForm and Quadriflow algorithms and Instant Mesh tool to make 3D modeling and rendering much faster than in previous versions of the soft.

#2. Autodesk Maya

OS: mac OS, Windows, Linux

Price: $ 1620/year

Autodesk Maya has been in the industry for nearly two decades, and it is widely regarded as one of the best 3D rendering software on the market. Maya provides CG experts with plenty of tools for 3D modeling and rendering, texturing, sculpting, implementing various plug-ins, as well as making animation. Thanks to its versatility and a rich toolbox, Maya has stood the test of time and takes pride of place in competition between the best 3D programs.

#3. Blender

OS: mac OS, Windows, Linux

Price: $0

Many CG specialists consider Blender the best 3D rendering software because it’s easy to learn and use, and, most importantly, it’s free. Using Blender, you can do 3D product rendering, modeling, animation, simulation, video editing... the list goes on. Because this software is open and free of charge, it has one of the best international community of CG artists who gladly share their experiences and support each other.

#4. ZBrush

OS: mac OS, Windows

Price: $895 lifetime license $39.95/month

ZBrush is known as the best 3D rendering software for digital sculpting, with good reason — you can do 3D modeling, painting, and texturing using just this one platform. ZBrush allows CG artists to sculpt any shape out of more than a billion polygons in a very natural way that is close to a real-life sculpting experience. Also, every brush tool has its own control settings so it’s easy and convenient to use for every 3D artist.

#5. V-Ray 

OS: mac OS, Windows, Linux

Price: $470/year for 3ds Max

V-Ray is a powerful CGI plug-in that is compatible with the best 3D rendering software such as 3ds Max, Rhino, Maya, Cinema 4D, Blender, Revit, etc. This software has impressive texturing and lighting tools, advanced camera settings, post-production elements, and so on. Thus, it enhances 3D visualizations and takes them to a whole new level. 

#6. Cinema 4D

OS: mac OS, Windows, Linux

Price: $880/year

Cinema 4D is 3D modeling and rendering software with a stellar reputation. It allows creating stunning static 3D visualization, animation, and provides perfect real-life dynamic simulation rendering. Also, one of the best features that all users mention about Cinema 4D is its user-friendly and intuitive interface that works perfectly for both CG professional artists and beginners. 

#7. KeyShot

OS: mac OS, Windows

Price: $995 - 3995

Some CG artists call KeyShot one of the best 3d rendering software out there. The main reason is that it’s a robust real-time 3D rendering platform that delivers visualizations instantly and has highly-realistic textures and light settings. Besides, KeyShot has a huge library of over 750 quality materials and even more than a thousand textures on KeyShot Cloud. On top of that, this software supports over the 30 most popular 3D file formats, so it’s compatible with most of the CG tools.

Surely, every individual project requires a personal approach and can be made in different software. For example, some 3D programs work bеtter with 3D sculpting, while others are perfect for animation. So when it comes to professional CG artists, they must be skilled in all of the best 3D rendering software so they can tackle any type of project.