Best Surface Modeling Software for SimLab Composer

SOLIDWORKS is a world-leading 3D design, CAD, and product development platform that has defined innovation for engineers and creators for over three decades. Built by Dassault Systèmes, it delivers a unified environment for design, simulation, documentation, and manufacturing—all with the goal of helping users bring ideas to life faster. The 2026 version marks a major leap forward with AI-powered automation, including selective loading for large assemblies, fastener recognition, and AURA AI, an intelligent design companion that boosts productivity. Deep integration with the 3DEXPERIENCE cloud ecosystem allows teams to collaborate securely, access designs anywhere, and connect real-time data from concept to production. With powerful simulation tools, electrical design integration, and streamlined workflows, SOLIDWORKS reduces manual effort and design iteration time dramatically. Its intuitive interface and broad compatibility make it ideal for both professionals and students. Trusted by innovators like Future Motion, Toyota, and Vermeer, SOLIDWORKS continues to shape the future of design and engineering. Whether you’re creating consumer products, vehicles, or complex machinery, it provides everything you need to go from idea to reality.

Autodesk AutoCAD is a complete computer-aided design and drafting solution that transforms the way professionals conceptualize, document, and deliver projects. Built for precision and creativity, AutoCAD supports 2D drafting and 3D modeling with intelligent tools for solids, surfaces, and meshes. The AutoCAD 2026 release integrates Autodesk AI, automating repetitive tasks like object placement, markup interpretation, and drawing comparisons to save hours of manual effort. Users can collaborate seamlessly using Autodesk Docs, ensuring consistent document management and version control across teams. With built-in AutoLISP, APIs, and the Autodesk App Store, the software is endlessly customizable for specialized workflows. Its seven industry-specific toolsets—including Architecture, MEP, and Plant 3D—optimize productivity and deliver specialized functionality for each discipline. AutoCAD’s cloud connectivity enables real-time co-authoring and access from any device. Whether for buildings, infrastructure, or products, AutoCAD remains the most trusted platform for professional design innovation.

Design delightfully. Collaborate clearly. Build better buildings. The joy of drawing by hands. The ease and sophistication of 3D modeling software. Build sustainable buildings. Change the world. Hundreds of professionally-developed extensions at your fingertips. 3D Design. Document in 2D. Make your work easier. Your team and the 3D community will benefit from efficiency. Technology can make a great idea shine.

Construct vast universes, intricate characters, and breathtaking visual effects seamlessly. Animate realistic characters using advanced animation tools that captivate audiences. Design 3D models and environments effortlessly with the user-friendly modeling features of Maya® software. Produce lifelike effects, ranging from dramatic explosions to detailed cloth simulations. A cutting-edge visual programming workspace equipped with dynamic solvers allows for swift creation of stunning effects suitable for blockbusters. Utilize the Bifrost Graph Editor to assemble personalized graphs tailored to your project's needs. Generate remarkable effects—such as snow, sand, and swirling dust storms—with pre-made graphs at your disposal. Render intricate projects effortlessly with Arnold, a powerful tool designed to tackle challenges related to complex characters, environments, and lighting. With Arnold’s integration into Maya, you can preview high-quality results instantly and make rapid adjustments. Experience time savings through Arnold’s user-friendly interface and straightforward controls, enabling you to focus on your creative vision more effectively. Ultimately, this powerful combination not only enhances productivity but also elevates the quality of your artistic endeavors.

Rhino offers a comprehensive suite for creating, modifying, analyzing, documenting, rendering, animating, and converting NURBS curves, surfaces, solids, subdivision geometry (SubD), point clouds, and polygon meshes. The only limitations on complexity, degree, or size are dictated by your hardware capabilities. Its free-form 3D modeling tools rival those found in expensive software, enabling you to craft any shape you envision. With precision required for designing, prototyping, engineering, analyzing, and manufacturing a wide range of items—from aircraft to jewelry—Rhino ensures compatibility with all your design, drafting, CAM, engineering, analysis, rendering, animation, and illustration applications. It can read and repair intricate meshes and complex IGES files. The software is user-friendly, allowing you to concentrate on design and visualization without the software becoming a distraction. Remarkably efficient, it operates smoothly even on standard laptops without the need for specialized hardware. Furthermore, it serves as a foundational platform for numerous specialized 3D applications, broadening its utility in various fields. This versatility makes Rhino an indispensable tool for both professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Fusion 360 seamlessly integrates design, engineering, electronics, and manufacturing into one cohesive software environment. It offers a comprehensive suite that combines CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB capabilities within a single development platform. Additionally, users benefit from features like EAGLE Premium, HSMWorks, Team Participant, and various cloud-based services, including generative design and cloud simulation. With an extensive range of modeling tools, engineers can effectively design products while ensuring their form, fit, and function through multiple analysis techniques. Users can create and modify sketches using constraints, dimensions, and advanced sketching tools. It also allows for editing or fixing imported geometry from other file formats with ease. Design modifications can be made without concern for time-dependent features, enabling flexibility in the workflow. Furthermore, the software supports the creation of intricate parametric surfaces for tasks such as repairing or designing geometry, while history-based features like extrude, revolve, loft, and sweep dynamically adapt to any design alterations made. This versatility makes Fusion 360 an essential tool for modern engineering practices.

3ds Max provides an extensive and adaptable suite of tools that empowers designers with complete artistic freedom to create exceptional works. You can construct expansive game worlds, visualize stunning architectural projects, and design intricately detailed interiors and objects. Additionally, it allows you to animate characters and features, enhancing them with visual effects. The integrated Arnold renderer enriches your experience by effectively managing complex characters, scenes, and effects. With centralized creative tools, you can save time on interactive light mixing, color correction, and lens effects applied to rendered images. The user-friendly interface and intuitive controls enable you to work more efficiently, producing high-quality renders and variations at a quicker pace. 3ds Max supports workflow scalability through automation, which allows you to dedicate more time to your creative endeavors. Furthermore, it can function as a compute engine to optimize content production and offers extendable workflows through easy-to-use APIs, enhancing overall productivity. By leveraging these features, you can elevate your design projects to new heights.

High-quality 3D CAD software designed for engineering and product design is available through Inventor® CAD software, which offers extensive tools for 3D mechanical design, documentation, and product simulation. This software allows users to operate efficiently by combining various design methods, such as parametric, direct, freeform, and rules-based approaches. Collaborate seamlessly with anyone, regardless of the CAD software they utilize, and leverage cloud-based design reviews to gather insights from important stakeholders wherever they are located. It supports the entire product development process with a unified data model, enabling more effective design through specialized features for sheet metal, frame design, and tube and pipe. Additionally, users can enhance their design, documentation, and process automation efforts using iLogic. The Inventor API allows for the creation of custom add-ins, while the Forge Design Automation API offers the ability to execute job processes in the cloud, providing further flexibility and innovation in design workflows. By utilizing these advanced tools, teams can significantly improve their efficiency and collaboration throughout the design process.

ZBrush is a groundbreaking software for digital sculpting and painting that has transformed the 3D modeling landscape with its robust features and user-friendly design. Featuring a sleek interface, ZBrush equips digital artists with the most sophisticated tools available today. It boasts a suite of functionalities developed to enhance usability, resulting in a creative experience that feels remarkably intuitive and fosters artistic expression. Capable of handling up to a billion polygons, ZBrush empowers you to design without limitations, driven solely by your creativity. The software utilizes a circular design philosophy, enabling its menus to operate in a fluid, non-linear manner that enhances the interaction between 3D models, 2D graphics, and 2.5D Pixols in innovative ways. ZBrush provides everything necessary for swiftly conceptualizing a 2D or 3D idea and seeing it through to completion. Furthermore, users can achieve lifelike renders directly within ZBrush, augmented with dynamic lighting and atmospheric effects, thus enhancing the visual quality of their projects. This comprehensive suite makes ZBrush an essential tool for both amateur and professional artists alike.

Elevate your product design and development process by utilizing Creo, the advanced 3D CAD/CAM/CAE software that enables you to imagine, design, create, and innovate with ease. In today's competitive landscape, product design and manufacturing teams face increasing demands to enhance efficiency and reduce costs while maintaining high standards of creativity and quality. Thankfully, Creo offers a diverse and scalable suite of 3D CAD tools that stand out in the market. The latest version, Creo 7.0, introduces groundbreaking advancements in generative design, real-time simulation, multibody design, additive manufacturing, and more. Transitioning your ideas from initial concept to digital prototype has never been simpler, more accurate, or more intuitive than with Creo, which has been at the forefront of CAD technology for over three decades. With the release of Creo 7.0, PTC showcases its expertise in enriching an already powerful toolset, leveraging strategic partnerships to further enhance its functionalities and meet evolving industry needs. This evolution points to a future where your design capabilities can grow alongside your business aspirations.