6 Best 3D Painting Software in 2024

The best 3D painting software provides you with all the necessary tools to complement 3D objects with color, texture and detail. You can take advantage of an array of paintbrush tools and colors to give your projects a unique and professional look.

It is also possible to use sculpting and texturing features to enhance details and add depth to the objects. The best 3D painting software caters to the needs of animators and graphic designers, who want to use their works on games, animations, movies and 3D rendering.

Top 6 3D Painting Software

  1. Maya - For powerful professional use
  2. Autodesk 3ds Max - For Windows users
  3. Modo - Texturing and rendering software
  4. Lightwave 3D - Production-proven software
  5. ZBrush - Incredible sculpting toolset
  6. Houdini - Industry-leading software

3D painting tools are usually incorporated in 3D modeling software, but you can always use them as standalone instruments. The most popular 3D model texturing software suites include dedicated 3D texture painting tools, 2D map generation software, 3D texture baking software, 3D texture coordinate software and feature-rich 3D packages with an extensive number of tools.

1. Maya - Our Choice

For powerful professional use
  • Comprehensive toolset
  • Complete 3D package
  • Easy to build workflow
  • Expensive

Verdict: Maya 3D is an open source program that can be used for various things ranging from designing to prepping and even printing. The software has a built in grid system that allows for you to design and place objects into the scene before giving them the color value and texture that are desired.

The program itself comes complete with several pre-loaded digital brushes that you can use to paint in any type of style or pattern that you desire. Another nice feature is that there are several light effects that you can tweak so that the end results are as realistic as possible. The lighting options allow you to change the color of the sky, the ground, and even the different textures that are featured in the scene.

maya3d painting software interface

2. Autodesk 3ds Max

For Windows users
  • Substantial feature set
  • Easy to learn for beginners
  • User-created scripts and plugin
  • Edit poly modifier
  • Takes time to learn

Verdict: Autodesk 3ds Max is considered by many professionals to be one of the best 3D modeling software available. It is revolutionary and will change the way you look at digital art for years to come. This software will enable you to create realistic and complex paintings that you can share with your friends and family.

This software was built to be user friendly, easy to use, and most importantly it allows the artist and architect the freedom to design as complicated or as simple a piece as they want. Unlike conventional software, the Max package comes with a large number of tools that are meant to do specific things.

autodesk 3ds max 3d painting software interface

3. Modo

Texturing and rendering software
  • Excellent modeller
  • Impressive workflow
  • Script in Perl and Python languages
  • Works on tablets
  • Troublesome in the texturing process

Verdict: Modo is a popular 3D animation software. It allows the user to create realistic and life like scenes using a variety of special effects and tools. A great part of this program is that it is easy to use for the beginner and advanced artist.

It also allows the user to create airbrushing effects. This program can do a lot of things such as adding texture, sharpen images, blend colors, and remove red eye. It also allows you to change the way in which the image is captured from a distance. If there are any problems with your camera then the program will fix them for you.

modo 3d painting software interface

4. Lightwave 3D

Production-proven software
  • Easy to get to grips with
  • Works as two separate apps
  • Powerful animation tools
  • Better alternatives

Verdict: Lightwave 3D has quickly become one of the most popular brands of computer application software for artists and photographers. There are many different reasons for this, but the biggest reason is that the software is easy to use and it lets you work from home.

This means that even if you don't have access to a computer you can still create some amazing renderings and images. This type of computer program is what is known as "open source". This means that it is available to everyone, but it is licensed so that you can do what you want with it.

lightwave 3d 3d painting software interface

5. ZBrush

Incredible sculpting toolset
  • Incredible VFX simulations
  • New Viscous Fluid tools
  • Onion skinning
  • Complex workflow

Verdict: The reason that ZBrush is so great is because it has a very intuitive interface, and the tutorials that are available are easy to follow. Once you begin using this software, you will realize that nothing else on the market can compare to it. It's best to download ZBrush from the website because you want to make sure you are getting the highest quality product.

One of the best features that you will be able to take advantage of with ZBrush is the Intense Detail setting. This feature takes your painting to the next level. If you are simply trying to create a basic image then you will not be able to tell the difference between this and other programs.

zbrush 3d painting software interface

6. Houdini

Industry-leading software
  • Automatic backups
  • Notifications if backups fail
  • Easy restore process
  • Weak functionality

Verdict: Houdini 3D is an application that allows people to create illusions with the use of three dimensional objects. It is considered to be a more realistic 3D sculpting software than other similar applications in the market because it creates the illusion of being intangible. This means that the objects created are three dimensional when in fact they are not.

One of the most important features that Houdini offers its users is the ability to create special effects using reflections and light. With the help of this program you can achieve a variety of lighting effects that will make your paintings much more realistic looking. The application has the ability to create reflections at any location on the image plane and it uses the Baryonic Divide which divides the image into four quadrants.

houdini3d painting software interface
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