Alternatives to SketchUp: Check out 10 free programs

1

SketchUp

Like SketchUp, Revit is known for interior design and architecture, making the software one of SketchUp’s biggest competitors. Owned by AutoDesk since 2002, this software has had updates every year, which makes it a complete package for the area. Unlike SketchUp, this program is more technical and isn’t a CAD but a BIM (Building Information Modeling). On that note, Revit is a much more complex software and requires more computer power to run. The program is available for Windows and macOS and costs between $320 and $2,550 per year.

#3D #Architecture #3D Modeling 5 social mentions

2

SolidFace

A CAD software, it is known for its characteristic reach, which includes very familiar features, including native .dwg applications. It is similar to the 2008 version of AutoCAD and comes with an interface with certain similarities and other features ideal for 2D design and 3D direct modeling. Compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux, and several hundreds of third-party applications based on .dwg., SolidFace is one of the best alternatives to SketchUp.

#3D #Architecture #CAD

3

Autodesk Fusion 360

Created by software giant AutoDesk, Fusion 360 is a cloud-based program. It integrates Computer-Aided Drawing (CAD), Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM), and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) softwares, which makes it a unified platform. Regarding the CAD software, Fusion 360 is a parametric modeling system that allows some more powerful tools, being one of the greatest alternatives to SketchUp. With 3D rendering and animation, the program runs simulations, fabricates, and renders objects. The AutoDesk product also provides post-modeling features.

#Architecture #3D #CAD

4

Blender

Even though the software wasn’t, at first, intended for architectural design, it is one of the best alternatives to SteckUp since it allows you to use more organic shapes and provides enhanced polygon editing tools. Not to mention that Blender has a larger amount of polygons in a single scene than SketchUp does. Thanks to its capacity to map textures over surfaces and the built-in Cycles and Eevee rendering engines, Blender provides a better-looking visualization than SketchUp.

#3D #Game Development #Game Engine 137 social mentions

5

Autodesk Tinkercad

#3D #Architecture #3D Modeling 74 social mentions

6

Shapr3D

Made exclusively for iPads and the Apple Pencil and now available for Mac computers, Shapr3D is the first portable CAD program. Released in 2016 alongside iPad Pro, all you need to navigate through this software is an Apple Pencil.

#3D #Architecture #Online Services 1 social mentions

7

Sculptris

The subject has a more organic, sculptural nature, so it’s mostly used to sculpt characters and create organic models. Sculptris also supports symmetry mode, which allows you to sculpt from only one side and turn it into a full symmetrical model. Another great feature from Sculptris is the dynamic tesselation tool, which divides the area under the brush and helps when you don’t have enough triangles, making your project more detailed.

#3D #Digital Drawing And Painting #Illustration

8

Inventor

Seen as a rich-featured system, Inventor has both 2D and 3D mechanical design software and provides a large amount of post-modeling tools for rendering, simulation, visualization, and documentation of projects. The program works with direct, parametric, and free-form modeling, meeting the needs of professionals in the area. Even though it doesn’t have SketchUp’s simplicity, requiring more knowledge and skills, Inventor is also great for those looking to enhance their 3D skills. Running on Windows, Inventor is free for students and educational purposes. If you’re looking for a software for industrial applications and are willing to invest some training time, Inventor might be the best alternative to SketchUp for you.

#Photos & Graphics #3D #Technical Computing

9

LibreCAD

Just like Blender, you can help develop and enhance the platform by editing the code base and adding even more features to the software. So, if you’re looking for a more simple, perfect for beginners program, LibreCAD can be the best out of the alternatives to SketchUp for you. Being a fully free system, you can only gain.

#3D #Architecture #3D Modeling 19 social mentions

10

Art of Illusion

Besides that, a feature that sets Art of Illusion apart is extensions, like scripting, plug-ins, and translator. Through Plug-in Manager, you can make the program compatible with various scripts and plug-ins. The free program also has built-in image rendering, a great number of lighting options, and great sculpture and primitive modeling. Now providing an extensive documentation section, Art of Illusion has many tutorials and even a user manual available. The software is completely free and runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

#3D #3D Modeling #Game Development 2 social mentions

11

Sweet Home 3D

Like Sculptris, Sweet Home 3D is a more specific program than SketchUp, aimed at interior design and house planning. With great visualization, Sweet Home 3D helps you bring your dream house to life, even allowing you to add furniture and visiting it in 3D.

#3D #Architecture #CAD 6 social mentions

12

Revit

Like SketchUp, Revit is known for interior design and architecture, making the software one of SketchUp’s biggest competitors. Owned by AutoDesk since 2002, this software has had updates every year, which makes it a complete package for the area. Unlike SketchUp, this program is more technical and isn’t a CAD but a BIM (Building Information Modeling). On that note, Revit is a much more complex software and requires more computer power to run. The program is available for Windows and macOS and costs between $320 and $2,550 per year.

#Project Management #Construction Project Management #CAD

13

MicroStation

Following Revit’s steps, MicroStation also focuses on architecture and civil engineering. Developed by Bentley Systems, it is also a BIM software. MicroStation features 2D and 3D parametric modeling systems and is one of the most well-rounded programs in the architecture field, combining development and construction in a single platform. On the other hand, MicroStation is a complex software that costs around $2,560 per year.

#CAD #3D #Project Management

14

Rhino 3D

#3D #3D Modeling #Architecture 4 social mentions