Blender is the free and open-source 3D creation suite. Model, sculpt, animate, simulate, render and edit video — all in one application.
| Version | Size | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 4.5 LTS | ~350 MB | Stable — official channel |
Download only from blender.org/download — pick the installer for your OS (~350 MB). The Microsoft Store version is also official but updates slower.
Yes — 100% free and open source under GPL, including commercial use. No subscriptions or in-app purchases.
Minimum 8 GB RAM and 2 GB VRAM. For smooth work use 16 GB RAM, a discrete GPU (RTX series) and an SSD.
Blender is free with a full pipeline, great for individuals and small teams; C4D leads in motion graphics, Maya in film animation.
Follow the official Donut Tutorial — most people finish a first complete scene in 1-2 weeks and work independently after 1-3 months.
Switch Cycles to GPU (CUDA/OptiX), disable high-subdivision modifiers in viewport, and use Solid viewport shading.
| Maya | Industry-standard animation suite |
|---|---|
| 3ds Max | Modeling for games/archviz |
| Cinema 4D | Motion graphics favorite |
| Houdini | Procedural VFX powerhouse |
License: Free · open source (GPL)
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