3D modeling is the process of creating 3D objects and scenes, which is now widely used in various fields such as architecture, product design, and game development. Typically, 3D modeling is done using CAD software. However, more and more people today are looking for tools that do not require downloading and installation, leading to the emergence of 3D modeling websites.
These browser-based platforms offer tools and resources for online creation, editing, sharing, and collaboration on 3D models. If you’re wondering which is the best 3D modeling website for you, don’t close the webpage just yet. We’ll bring you 6 3D modeling websites you should not miss in 2024. Keep reading and learn about their features!
Top 1. Tinkercad
Best for beginners and educational use
Tinkercad is a free 3D modeling website developed by Autodesk. Whether you’re an adult or a child, if you want to learn 3D modeling, Tinkercad is the top choice. It offers rich modeling tutorials and project examples that can be used for teaching 3D modeling, electronic circuits, and programming.
Additionally, it has a simple and user-friendly interface. You can simply create 3D models using the various preset elements provided by Tinkercad, such as cubes, spheres, and cylinders, through dragging, dropping, and adjusting shapes. Once the modeling is complete, you can export the design in formats like STL, OBJ, etc., for 3D printing. Since this tool is primarily developed for education, it may lack some features that traditional CAD programs have.
Features:
- Multiple editing tools for precise model adjustments.
- Build Minecraft structures within Tinkercad.
- Step-by-step tutorials for foundational knowledge of 3D modeling.
- Support importing 3D files such as STL, OBJ, and SVG.
- Provide options for collaborative work on projects.
Top 2. 3D Slash
Best for beginners and educational use
3D Slash is a highly unique 3D modeling website. Its design philosophy is to make your 3D modeling experience as fun as building a game. Therefore, it is extremely friendly for beginners or those not accustomed to traditional 3D modeling tools.
3D Slash provides various tools such as hammers, shovels, chisels, etc., allowing users to add and remove cubes in a manner similar to building with blocks. You can also use a wide color palette to color your models or create 3D logos or text on them. What’s even better is that 3D Slash has introduced a new feature that allows users to project photos onto models and then sculpt shapes.
Features:
- Project photos or text onto models and sculpt.
- View your models in VR.
- Import STL or OBJ files.
- Easy-to-use UI, no training required.
- 3D modeling with high precision.
- Send your creations for 3D printing.
Top 3. Figuro
Best for beginners
Figuro is a 3D modeling website online that caters to game development, 3D printing, architectural design, and more. It requires no registration or installation. Figuro is often described as a combination of entry-level and professional software, being powerful yet not too complicated.
Figuro has a highly intuitive interface. There are various shape categories provided on the left side, such as cubes, rectangles, cylinders, etc. Simply select the desired shape and draw its size on the grid by dragging the mouse, then you can create your 3D model. You can also adjust the model’s color, textures, etc., to meet your specific needs. After completing the design, you can export the file in STL or OBJ format for 3D printing.
Features:
- Gallery provides many free 3D models that can be downloaded or imported into your designs.
- UV editing for adding colors to models.
- Comprehensive video tutorial resources to help you learn how to create various models.
- Active community for discussing and sharing your creations.
- Support for importing STL and OBJ files.
Top 4. SketchUp Free
Best for users with basic skills
If you’ve had some exposure to 3D modeling before, chances are you’ve heard of SketchUp. It is one of the best 3D modeling tools which offers multiple versions. SketchUp Free is the web-based 3D modeling tool we’re going to talk about today.
As its name suggests, SketchUp Free is a 3D modeling website free to use without registration. It integrates a vast model library: 3D Warehouse, which is the largest 3D model library globally, allowing you to access and import models into your projects. But you can’t import other 3D files.
Its Trimble Connect feature allows you to view, share, and access your projects from anywhere. With 10GB of cloud storage, you can collaborate on projects with others seamlessly.
Features:
- Provides basic modeling tools such as extrude, push/pull, scale, etc.
- Use the SketchUp Viewer app to view 3D models on mobile devices.
- Clean and intuitive interface, making modeling quick and easy to grasp.
- Import SKP, JPG, and PNG file types, and export SKP, PNG, and STL file types.
Top 5. Vectary
Best for consumer product design
Vectary is one of the most reliable 3D modeling websites for consumer product design and marketing. With Vectary, you can use grid modeling or primitives to design and create your own 3D objects. By simply dragging and dropping, you can import various files or models from Vectary’s library.
One of its main features is real-time 3D rendering. You can add custom textures or use preset PBR materials, lighting, HDR, etc., to optimize rendering effects. However, Vectary is not entirely free to use. It offers a free trial for 30 days, after which a subscription is required to continue using it.
Features:
- Suitable for consumer product design, allowing you to add stickers and logos.
- Create realistic 3D rendering by setting up environments, lighting, materials, etc.
- Supports various 3D file formats such as OBJ, STL, GLTF, etc.
- Incorporate animations, transition effects, and interactivity into 3D models without coding or APIs.
Top 6. Onshape
Best for professionals
Last but not least, Onshape is a professional 3D modeling website developed by the founding team of SolidWorks. It’s well-suited for various engineering professionals involved in the product development process from concept to manufacturing, as it offers comprehensive CAD functionalities, including sketching tools, 3D modeling tools, real-time communication and collaboration tools, PDM management, and more. Additionally, it’s an ideal choice for educational institutions for CAD teaching.
What’s even better is Onshape’s strong security measures. It ensures data security and ease of management through encryption, permission controls, data protection, etc. Onshape offers both free and paid versions. The free version has more basic features. Compared to the previous software, Onshape requires more time to learn.
Features:
- Comprehensive 3D modeling tools for designing parts, assemblies, etc.
- Team members collaborate on a project simultaneously.
- Built-in analysis and simulation tools.
- Provides comprehensive data management capabilities.
- Has a steep learning curve.
A Comparison of the 6 3D Modeling Websites
We have provided a detailed introduction to 6 3D modeling websites above. To give you a clearer view of their differences, we have summarized a table below. Check it out!
Best for | Pricing | Stability | Supported File Formats | Supports 3D Printing | |
Tinkercad | Beginners and educational use | Free | Average | STL, OBJ, SVG | Yes |
3D Slash | Beginners and educational use | Free | Moderate | Stl, obj | Yes |
Figuro | beginners | Free | Moderate | Stl, obj | Yes |
SketchUp Free | Users with basic skills | Free
|
Moderate | SKP, JPG, PNG, STL | Yes |
Vectary | Product design | $180/year | High | OBJ, STL, GLTF | Yes |
Onshape | Professionals | Standard: $1500/year
Professional: $2500/year |
High | SolidWorks, STL, OBJ, DWG, DXF | Yes |
Bonus: Best 3D Modeling Software Recommended – ZW3D
The biggest advantage of 3D modeling websites is their convenience, as they do not require any downloads or installations. However, they are highly dependent on internet stability. For beginners, most 3D modeling websites are great as they meet basic needs, and the learning curve is relatively low. However, if you have already gained some experience, you may find them lacking advanced features. Therefore, if you want to further enhance your modeling skills, professional 3D modeling software ZW3D is here for you.
Developed by ZWSOFT, ZW3D is an integrated 3D CAD/CAM/CAE software. Its 3D modeling capabilities are very powerful, featuring unique hybrid modeling technology that combines solid and surface modeling, providing more possibilities for design. It performs well in handling complex and large-scale models.
ZW3D offers intelligent assembly and motion simulation, which can effectively help engineers avoid issues during the production process. In addition, its 3D design process is automated and intelligent because it embeds various toolsets to simplify repetitive tasks, making design work easier and more efficient.
Besides the robust 3D modeling capability, it is also powerful in CAM and CAE functionalities. ZW3D provides solutions from design to simulation analysis to manufacturing. These are capabilities that 3D modeling websites cannot offer. Additionally, it provides an API that allows developers to write programs to integrate, extend, or automate operations with ZW3D CAD/CAM software.
ZWSOFT recently released the ZW3D 2025, which has optimized and added some new features. If you want to try 3D software, don’t miss it. You can download it and try it free for 30 days. |
FAQs About 3D Modeling Websites
Are There Any Websites for 3D Model Downloads?
Yes. Sketchfab and Printables are websites with 3D model downloads. Both websites support STL files for 3D printing.
Sketchfab is a leading platform for 3D & AR on the web. You can showcase your work, as well as buy and sell 3D models. It supports multiple model formats, including FBX, OBJ, 3DS, Blender, and more. Its categories include cars, characters, architecture, and more.
Printables is a platform focused on sharing 3D printing models. You can upload, download, and share various 3D printing models. It offers many free and high-quality models across categories such as toys, tools, and decorations. It’s important to note that if you want to import models into a 3D modeling website, you need to ensure that the file formats are supported by the website.
Do 3D Modeling Websites Support 3D Printing?
All 6 3D modeling websites we introduced above can export STL file formats. After exporting the 3D printing file, you can open it in slicer software to set up the slicing parameters. This step converts the file into instructions that a 3D printer can understand so that you can print the model.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve introduced 6 3D modeling websites worth trying in 2024. Some are ideal for beginners, such as Tinkercad and 3D Slash, which let you start 3D modeling as if you’re playing a game. Some are best for professionals, like Vectary and Onshape, requiring some prior knowledge to operate effectively.
If you find that 3D modeling websites do not meet your design needs, you can also try the professional software ZW3D. It offers a wealth of features lacking in web-based tools and is more stable and powerful. We hope that you can find the tool that best suits your needs after reading this article.