Best 3D Modeling Software for Mac: 3D Printing with Mac OS
Not all 3D modeling software is available for every operating system. That’s why we compiled a list of the most popular 3D design programs for Mac users. Read on to discover the top 20!
The list of the most used 3D design software for Mac (see below) is based upon our list of the 25 most popular 3D modeling programs. However, we excluded software that is not available or not suitable for the Mac OS. This leaves us with the ultimate 3D modeling list for Macintosh users.
Cinema Tools, Free Download by Apple Inc. Log in / Sign up. Labels and Databases - advanced mac labels design software with DB support. Red Player by Red Digital. Related stories See all. The best free photo-editing tools for Mac. Top 4 free video-editing tools for Mac. Introduced in 2002, Cinema Tools was initially a $1000 standalone application designed for tracking and managing digital intermediates for film assets. It also included a quick and easy tool for removing pulldown patterns and conforming frame rates on Quicktime files with Intra-frame codecs.
The Ranking: 3D Modeling Software for Mac Users
The two most used 3D modeling software programs for Macintosh devices are freeware program Blender (score: 80) and freemium software SketchUp (75). Blender is known for its enormous design freedom and its endless number of tools and functions – however, it’s also known for its steep learning curve. SketchUp, on the other hand, is said to be rather beginner-friendly and great for architectural and geometric objects. However, it’s not suited for creating organic structures.
Next come three programs from the Autodesk family: its professional high-end programs AutoCAD (59) and Maya (59) as well as its beginner-friendly free-to-use online app Tinkercad (51) all score well with Mac users. ZBrush (49), a professional 3D sculpting software, comes in 6th. Its free light version, named Sculptris (19), made it to rank 15.
After ZBrush, Cinema 4D (43), 123D Design (42), OpenSCAD (38), and Rhinoceros (36) complete the list of the top 10.
Screenshot of SketchUp, a popular 3D modeling software with Mac users.
The Popularity Score for 3D Modeling Programs
We calculated the popularity of a 3D modeling software for Mac based on their ‘popularity score’ in the 3D printing community. The popularity score consists of mentions and fans on social media, page authority, forum mentions, video mentions, 3D printing database mentions, and Google results. This score is especially helpful if you’re looking for a modeling software for Mac that is widely used for 3D printing, so you can be assured of an online community to brainstorm with and help you out if you get stuck.
3D Design Programs that Won’t Run on Apple’s Mac
Most 3D design programs are available for Windows and Mac users alike. However, some 3D design software that is not available for Mac OS includes Solidworks (62), 3DS Max (55), and Inventor (55). While these are not many, they still represent quite popular 3D modeling software packages. In our original list which includes all platforms, these programs ranked 3rd, 6th, and 7th among the most popular.
Some good news to end with: there are more and more options for Mac users. For example, Rhino 5 is available for Mac. Since many 3D design apps run online now (browser-based), programs like Tinkercad and 3DTin are also accessible from any device. With Cheetah3D there’s also a 3D design software which is exclusively available for Mac OS.
Are you new to the world of 3D modeling and 3D printing? Make sure to avoid these 5 common mistakes in order to create stunning designs. Do you already know how to create printable 3D files? Then simply upload them to our website, choose from more than 100 materials and finishes, and let us take care of printing your object.
Two different outcomes for older software and the recent update to macOS Sierra. Cinema Tools dies, but FCP7 keeps going with a tweak.
UPDATED - CINEMA TOOLS CAN RUN ON SIERRA!
When we first published this article, we stated off with Cinema Tools not working on macOSierra, as described by Garrett Sergeant from Simple DCP. (Who are a provider of theatrical, broadcast, and digital deliverables.)
However a Twitter conversation with Scott Simmonds got us thinking why doesn't Cinema Tools run on macOS Sierra? So we thought we would do a bit of detective work to find out why.
And we cracked it!
After a bit of Googling for versions and updates, we found out that If you install the Pro Applications Update 2010-02 this will give Cinema Tools with the right components. This was an update to get it to run on Lion. ( You will have to follow this procedure.)
Then you can open Cinema Tools whist running the new OS! Maybe that update should be saved off for future use.
Right click for larger image
Here is the original post from Garrett:
With each passing operating system update, we seem to wait with bated breath to find if Apple’s latest tinkering won’t somehow be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for Final Cut 7 and friends. So far, we’ve been in the clear and macOS Sierra didn’t seem to pose as grave a threat as previous OS updates have with most of the upgrades being related to the iOS-ification of our Macs rather than making major changes under the hood. The good news seems to be that if you’ve upgraded to macOS Sierra you’re likely in the clear, barring the obvious exception of Motion, which fortunately has an affordable path to upgrade.
However, if you took advantage of the new OS upgrade to do a clean install of your Mac, you’ll find that there are a few things missing under the hood that kept some components of the Final Cut Studio suite humming along without issue. While we’re not done with the search yet, we can report that one relatively inconspicuous tool has bitten the dust: Cinema Tools. Introduced in 2002, Cinema Tools was initially a $1000 standalone application designed for tracking and managing digital intermediates for film assets. It also included a quick and easy tool for removing pulldown patterns and conforming frame rates on Quicktime files with Intra-frame codecs.
![Cinema Cinema](/uploads/1/1/8/3/118355342/994506675.jpg)
While most users will probably scratch their heads trying to remember if they have ever even heard of Cinema Tools let alone used it, many online editors, AEs, and Post PAs will sorely miss this little gadget. Granted, most of the features of Cinema Tools have been rendered obsolete by advancements in technology and the transition to digital filmmaking, and others can be easily accomplished in other tools nowadays, but nothing was quite as quick and effortless as Cinema Tools for certain tasks.
Cinema Tools Mac Download
The question now remains what tools will be rendered unusable next for Final Cut Studio faithfuls? Despite being discontinued with the release of Final Cut Pro X in 2011, FCP7 continues to be the NLE of choice for many editors. Reasons vary, and while many will simply cite familiarity or speed in using the system, the fact remains that above all else, it just works. FCP X just doesn’t quite cut it for many of the fateful and while Adobe Premiere provides the nearest approximation to the old FCP toolset, many professionals are still put off by the Creative Cloud subscription pricing model.
Better news for Final Cut Pro 7 as this video from Will Moindrot shows.
Cinema Tools For Mac Os
So you might say 'Why bother about these old tools?' As Garrett mentioned, we have to remember that there is still a large number of editors and corporations that use these products. There is also a large back catalogue of FCP7 projects at broadcasters and the like that keep being dipped into for material. Yes, There is 7toX, but you have to export the XML first.
Without doubt, there will come a day when all the 'pre FCPX' ProApps stop working. However for this recent OS update, it looks like FCP7 has had a stay of execution.
Cinema Tools For Macbook Pro
For more info on what works and doesn't in macOS Sierra, take a look at the informative thread on our Forum