3D printing is now going mobile and can be done using various 3D modeling devices and apps that help designers transform their thoughts into excellent 3D models and prototypes. These are broadly used in areas like 3D printing, animation, gaming, engineering, and industrial designs. Clearly, in today’s world, these 3D sketch software and devices play a crucial role.
Be that as it may, as it is with every other device going mobile, 3D modeling apps are rapidly releasing for smartphones and tablets. And so, with so many apps in the market, it can be difficult to find the one suiting your needs. In today’s post, we are going to present the best mobile apps for 3D designing and sketching, developed by top app development companies, to enable you to make awesome 3D manifestations. For students, experts, and enthusiasts, there is a 3D sketch app for everybody.
1. AutoCAD
AutoCAD 360 is a helpful and easy-to-use 3D engineering drawing Android application that allows users to draw, edit, and make 3D models directly on their mobile device or tablet. With this app, you can save your projects and view and edit them at a later point in time.
The application also allows you to open 2D and 3D drawings in DWG format, transfer them from the network storage, work with them in standalone mode, and check all their parts.
Key Features:
- Convenient and intuitive interface.
- For navigation in giant drawings, you’ll be able to zoom and use panning gestures.
- Orientation within the drawing using GPS.
- Create and edit precise designs in a snap.
- Add and edit text annotations directly within the drawing.
- Save changes within the AutoCAD 360 space on the web.
2. uMake
If you want to express your design intuitively into a 3D model, download uMake, an award-winning 3D sketch app that’s easy-to-use, yet powerful. It is available at a yearly subscription for $149.99.
The most amazing feature of uMake is that it helps you define a certain point in space while sketching in 3D. This is all possible due to Sketch Planes, which are relative to the position of the camera.
Key Features:
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- Importing the photograph, managing curve-weigh and color, and quickening the creation by live symmetry and mirroring.
- Exporting your 3D style in OBJ, STEP, and IGES format.
- Dragging your project files into a cluster style to organizing them. You can also duplicate these files for numerous styles.
Download for iOS.
The app is not yet available for Android.
3. 3DC.io
3DC.io is the most easy-to-use and intuitive 3D sketch app with a simplistic user interface, thus making it the ideal choice for children and beginner designing enthusiasts. The unique aspect of the app is that it is majorly made for education purposes in that it offers discounts to teachers and schools if they integrate the app in their curriculum.
While the app is free to use, it can be upgraded to get more features for $2.99 per month or $14.99 per year. As mentioned before, it has uncomplicated features with a gallery of all your designs. Moreover, it also has some templates that you can take inspiration from if you’re new to the business. To edit an image, you can upload it in .OBJ format and print it in .STL format.
Key Features:
- Easy to use app.
- Simplistic features with a great user interface.
- Allows editing and viewing an image.
- Files can be uploaded in .OBJ and .STL formats.
- Ideal for beginners and students.
4. Verto Studio 3D
Desktop studio programs are a thing of the past as Verto Studio 3D has taken its toll on the 3D sketch software industry. It is incredibly innovative and fully functional. The app is meant for all who want to take a dive in the 3D design industry and can be used by professional 3D modelers, game developers, and even beginners. What makes it different from the others is the fact that it connects designing with testing.
Apart from editing, importing, and exporting 3D models of all sizes, Verto Studio 3D also allows users to create precise shading effects using the built-in shaders or the GLSL shader editor. It also has an Auto-Tool that allows you to tap, swipe, pinch, and twirl to edit the scene.
Key Features:
- Built-in GLSL shader-editor
- File import/export (DAE, OBJ, STL, .X, 3DS).
- Verto Studio file format support and exchange via email
- Dropbox import of Verto Studio and OBJ files
- Mesh generation using quads and triangular faces
- Camera view with a 4-view split screen.
- Orthographic projection mode for 3D engineering drawing and CAD
- Fly-through mode to fly through the scene using FPS-game-style controls.
- Fully supports the retina display of the new iPad for maximum screen usage.
Download for iOS.
The app is not yet available for Android.
5. Shapr3D
Exclusively created for iPad, Shapr3D is a 3D sketch app offering desktop-quality expertise in a mobile format. Just like you do on paper, you would be able to design your own characters with the help of this app seamlessly. While there is a free version of the app that provides a complete set of modeling tools, it is recommended that you buy the pro version for $8.25 per month for a wholistic workspace and more export choices.
Key Features:
- Design manipulation with incredible modeling tools.
- Import 2D and 3D designs from other CAD apps.
- Import hand-drawn sketches and blueprints.
- Export to other CAD tools.
- Share the screenshots of your images with your client.
Download for iOS.
Final Thoughts
Mentioned above are the 5 best mobile apps for 3D designing and sketching. Some are for Android, some for iOS, and others for both. These apps will help you a lot while designing and sketching your idea into a somewhat realistic form and make your work easier due to the interactive UI and easy functionality of these apps.
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