10 Popular Alternatives to SketchUp

1. AutoCAD

• Company Name: Autodesk Inc.
• Founders: John Walker and others.
• Founded Year: 1982
• Headquarters: San Rafael, California, USA
• Product Categories: CAD Software, 3D Modeling, Architecture, Engineering
• Description: Autodesk is a global leader in design software. AutoCAD is their flagship product, offering professional-grade drafting and design tools for a variety of industries, including architecture, engineering, and construction.
• Key Features:
  • 2D and 3D drafting
  • Precision modeling tools
  • Customizable user interface
  • Collaboration features with cloud integration
  • Extensive library of templates
  • Advanced rendering tools

2. Blender

• Company Name: Blender Foundation
• Founders: Ton Roosendaal
• Founded Year: 1998
• Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Product Categories: 3D Modeling, Animation, Sculpting, Rendering
• Description: Blender is an open-source 3D creation suite, offering a wide range of tools for modeling, texturing, rendering, and animation. It is widely popular in the animation and game development industries.
• Key Features:
  • Comprehensive 3D modeling tools
  • Sculpting and texture painting
  • Real-time rendering engine (Eevee)
  • Animation tools with rigs and keyframes
  • Powerful physics simulations
  • Open-source and free

3. Rhinoceros (Rhino)

• Company Name: Robert McNeel & Associates
• Founders: Robert McNeel
• Founded Year: 1980
• Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, USA
• Product Categories: 3D CAD, Modeling, Design
• Description: Rhino is a versatile 3D CAD software widely used in industrial design, architecture, jewelry design, and marine design. Known for its powerful NURBS modeling and flexible plugin options, it supports both creative and technical workflows.
• Key Features:
  • NURBS-based 3D modeling
  • Extensive plugin ecosystem
  • Advanced rendering capabilities
  • Parametric modeling
  • Compatibility with multiple file formats
  • Precision in design and detailing

4. Fusion 360

• Company Name: Autodesk Inc.
• Founders: John Walker (Autodesk)
• Founded Year: 2013
• Headquarters: San Rafael, California, USA
• Product Categories: 3D CAD, CAM, CAE, PLM
• Description: Fusion 360 is a cloud-based 3D CAD software by Autodesk, combining industrial and mechanical design, CAD, CAM, and CAE into a single platform. It is designed to streamline product development processes.
• Key Features:
  • Parametric and direct modeling
  • Cloud-based collaboration
  • Integrated CAM and CAE tools
  • Rendering and simulation tools
  • Multi-platform support
  • Strong version control and history tracking

5. Revit

• Company Name: Autodesk Inc.
• Founders: Leonid Raiz, Sergei S. Cheremisinov
• Founded Year: 2000
• Headquarters: San Rafael, California, USA
• Product Categories: BIM (Building Information Modeling), Architecture
• Description: Revit is Autodesk’s BIM software, providing advanced tools for architects, engineers, and construction professionals. It supports designing buildings and infrastructure in a collaborative environment, improving accuracy and efficiency.
• Key Features:
  • Comprehensive BIM tools
  • Parametric components for building design
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Integrated structural, MEP, and architectural tools
  • Detailed construction documentation
  • Built-in analysis tools for performance

6. Tinkercad

• Company Name: Autodesk Inc.
• Founders: Kai Backman, Mikko Rantanen
• Founded Year: 2011
• Headquarters: San Rafael, California, USA
• Product Categories: 3D Modeling, CAD, Education
• Description: Tinkercad is an easy-to-use, online 3D design and 3D printing app that is ideal for beginners. It provides a simple interface for creating digital designs for various industries, including education and product design.
• Key Features:
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
  • 3D printing integration
  • Simple modeling tools
  • Online-based with cloud storage
  • Free to use
  • Educational resources for students and educators

7. SolidWorks

• Company Name: Dassault Systèmes
• Founders: Jon Hirschtick
• Founded Year: 1993
• Headquarters: Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
• Product Categories: CAD, CAM, CAE
• Description: SolidWorks is a powerful CAD tool for 3D mechanical design, widely used in engineering, product design, and manufacturing industries. It’s known for its user-friendly interface and integration with other Dassault products.
• Key Features:
  • Parametric design capabilities
  • Advanced simulation and analysis tools
  • Collaboration with cloud and PDM systems
  • 3D modeling and 2D drawing
  • Extensive design library
  • Integration with CAM tools

8. FreeCAD

• Company Name: Open-source community
• Founders: Werner Mayer
• Founded Year: 2001
• Headquarters: Global (Open Source)
• Product Categories: 3D CAD, Mechanical Design, Engineering
• Description: FreeCAD is a free and open-source parametric 3D CAD modeler. It is highly modular, enabling users to install plugins to extend functionality. It’s aimed at users involved in product design, mechanical engineering, and architecture.
• Key Features:
  • Parametric modeling capabilities
  • Modular architecture with plugins
  • Open-source and free to use
  • Support for 2D drawing and 3D modeling
  • Python scripting for automation
  • Extensive documentation and community support

9. Vectary

• Company Name: Vectary Inc.
• Founders: Timon Kahl, Marius G. Bergh
• Founded Year: 2015
• Headquarters: Berlin, Germany
• Product Categories: 3D Modeling, Web-based Design, Augmented Reality
• Description: Vectary is an easy-to-use, browser-based 3D design tool that is primarily aimed at web designers and beginners. It allows quick 3D modeling, collaboration, and integration with other tools like Unity for AR/VR experiences.
• Key Features:
  • Browser-based with no downloads needed
  • Real-time collaboration features
  • Cloud storage for easy access and sharing
  • AR and VR integrations
  • Extensive material and texture library
  • Simple interface for beginner 3D modeling

10. Cinema 4D

• Company Name: MAXON Computer
• Founders: Harald Egel, Uwe B. Klingner, and others
• Founded Year: 1986
• Headquarters: Friedrichsdorf, Germany
• Product Categories: 3D Animation, Motion Graphics, Rendering
• Description: Cinema 4D is a professional 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software used by graphic designers, animators, and artists. It’s known for its easy-to-learn interface and powerful animation tools, particularly in motion graphics.
• Key Features:
  • High-quality rendering engine
  • Advanced animation tools
  • Motion graphics capabilities
  • Real-time preview
  • Integration with Adobe After Effects
  • Procedural modeling tools