Blender
Blender is free to use and open source 3D modelling software. It supports modelling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, motion tracking, video editing and game creation.
Blender is cross-platform, including the popular Linux, Windows and Macintosh using OpenGL to provide a consistent interface experience across each platform.
The public can make additions to blender because it is open source. This allows for quick bug fixes and community wanted additions to be quickly created and implemented.
3D Studio Max
3D Studio Max can be used on the Windows operating system. It is used a lot for creating video, such as movie effects and TV, because it supports modelling, animating, particle systems, dynamic simulation, radiosity, global illumination, normal map creation and shaders. It also has a customisable user interface and has its own scripting language.
It is also used by game developers to create models and animations.
Maya
Autodesk Maya, commonly called Maya, is currently developed by Autodesk, but originally was made by Alias Systems Corporation. Maya is used to create interactive 3D applications such as video games, animations for film and TV, and visual effects.
Lightwave
Lightwave is used to create and render animated and static 3D images. It has a rendering engine with advanced features such as realistic reflection and refraction, radiosity and caustics.
When animating the user is given access to features such as reverse and forward kinematics for animation, particle systems and dynamics.
If the user is comfortable with programming they have access to the SDK offering Lscript (proprietary scripting language) and C language interfaces.
Cinema 4D
Developed by MAXON Computer GmbH of Friedrichsdorf, Germany and runs on Windows and Macintosh operating systems. Cinema 4D can use procedural and polygonal/subdivision modelling, animating, lighting, texturing and rendering as well as other commonly found features in 3D modelling software.
There are 4 variants of the application from MAXON. There is the 'Prime' version offering the basic features, a 'Broadcast' version with motion-graphic features, a 'Visualize' version which adds architectural designing features, and 'Studio' which has everything.
ZBrush
ZBrush is a digital sculpting program combining 3D with 2.5D modelling, texturing and painting. ZBrush uses proprietary technology to store information on lighting, colour, material, and depth for all objects on the screen. ZBrush is more like sculpting than other 3D modelling software.
It can be used to create very detailed models with up to 10 million polygons to be used in games, film, and animation. It is well known for being able to create high frequency details which were normally made using bump maps. The finished, very detailed mesh can be exported as a normal map to be used on a low polygon count version of the same model.
Sketchup
Sketchup is 3D modelling software usable in a variety of ways to fit a range of industries. It is useful in archecture, mechanical, film and video games. It has two versions, a free and a professional version.
Sketchup advertises its ease of use, and gives the user access to an online depository of free models. The user can download, edit and contribute to the free models accessed by what is called the 3D warehouse. It accommodates third-party plug in programs. This allows for new capabilities (near photo-realistic renders), and can enable placement of models in Google Earth.