3D Studio Max
Developed by Autodesk, 3Ds Max is a professional 3D software for animations, rendering and modelling. Some of its features include:
- character animation and rigging tools
- animated deformers
- shader effects
- mesh and surface modelling
- texture assignment and editing
- material design
- many different cameras
- dynamics and effects
- lighting simulation and analysis
Maya
Also developed by Autodesk, maya is a 3D software for animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering. Some of its features include:
- dynamics and effects
- deformers
- general animation tools
- natural looking character creation
- sculpting tool sets and polygonal modelling
- UV tool set
- surface modelling
- many rendering options
LightWave
LightWave 3D combines a state-of-the-art renderer with powerful, intuitive modeling, and animation tools. Tools that may cost extra in other professional 3D applications are part of the product package, including 999 free cross-platform render nodes, support for Windows and Mac UB 64 and 32-bit operating systems, free technical support and more. https://www.lightwave3d.com/overview/
Cinema 4D
CINEMA 4D Studio is the very best that MAXON has to offer for professional 3D artists. If you want to create advanced 3D graphics but need a helping hand to ensure you create jaw-dropping graphics quickly and easily, then this is the choice for you.
As well as containing all of the features found in CINEMA 4D Prime, Visualize and Broadcast, CINEMA 4D Studio adds advanced character tools, hair, a physics engine and an unlimited client network for rendering. The result is that CINEMA 4D Studio can tackle any project you throw at it with ease.http://www.maxon.net/products/cinema-4d-studio/who-should-use-it.html
Blender
Blender is the free and open source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, even video editing and game creation. https://www.blender.org/about/
Some of its features include:
- photorealistic rendering
- fast modelling
- realistic materials
- fast rigging
- animation toolset
- sculpting
- fast UV unwrapping
- full compositor
Sketchup
Sketchup is a 3D software for architects, designers, builders, makers and engineers, but isn't limited just for that. It allows designing buildings and architecture, but also furniture and convert all of that into 2D documents. Models are made by making and extruding shapes. http://www.sketchup.com/
ZBrush
Created by pixologic, ZBrush is a digital sculpting and painting program that has revolutionized the 3D industry with its powerful features and intuitive workflows. ZBrush offers the world’s most advanced tools for today’s digital artists. With an arsenal of features that have been developed with usability in mind, ZBrush creates a user experience that feels incredibly natural while simultaneously inspiring the artist within. http://pixologic.com/zbrush/features/overview/
Signature features in ZBrush 4R7 include: ArrayMesh, NanoMesh and ZModeler with QMesh.
http://pixologic.com/zbrush/features/ZBrush4R7/