Recommended Desktop
Recommended Laptop
Recommended 2nd Monitor

• OS: Windows 11 (64bit)
• CPU: Intel Core i9
• GPU: Nvidia Geforce RTX 3080
  
• VRAM: 16GB
• RAM: 64GB
• Hard drive: SSD type with 100GB of free space
• Mouse: 3 button (required for Maya)
• Monitors: Dual Monitor Support

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Recommended Desktop
Recommended Laptop
Recommended 2nd Monitor

• Model: Mac Pro or MacBook Pro 2022+
• OS: Mac OS 12 (Monterey)
• CPU: Apple M1 Pro Max
• RAM: 64GB
• Hard drive: SSD type with 100GB of free space
• Mouse: 3 button (required for Maya)
• Monitors: Dual Monitor Support
  
  

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Blender is a multifaceted open-source 3D creation software offering an array of tools for modeling, sculpting, animation, rendering, compositing, motion tracking, and video editing. Its capabilities cater to a wide range of industries, from animation and gaming to architectural visualization and visual effects. Blender's features include advanced sculpting brushes, a node-based material editor, a comprehensive animation system with rigging and keyframing tools, as well as a robust rendering engine capable of producing photorealistic images and animations. Its integrated workflow allows users to seamlessly move between different tasks within the same software, making it a preferred choice for both individual artists and studios seeking an all-in-one solution for 3D content creation.

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Free Forever

Maya is a leading 3D computer graphics software widely used in industries such as film, animation, gaming, and visual effects. It offers a robust set of tools for modeling, animation, rigging, rendering, and simulation, allowing artists and designers to create highly detailed and realistic 3D content. With its flexible workflow and extensive plugin support, Maya enables professionals to tackle complex projects and achieve stunning visual results with precision and efficiency.

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30 Day Free Trial (Recommended)
Student Version 1yr Free *
Indie (Recommended) $305/yr**
Professional $1875/yr

*.edu email required
** must meet qualifications

ZBrush is a digital sculpting and painting software renowned for its innovative approach to 3D modeling. It empowers artists to sculpt highly detailed and organic characters, creatures, and environments using dynamic brushes and intuitive tools. With its unique features like DynaMesh, ZRemesher, and ZSpheres, ZBrush allows for fluid and creative exploration of form, texture, and composition. It's widely used in industries such as gaming, film, and 3D printing for its ability to produce intricate and lifelike digital sculptures with unparalleled fidelity and realism.

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14 Day Free Trial
Standard License (Recommended) $39/mt
Student License $60/yr*

*.edu email required

Substance Painter is a cutting-edge 3D painting software tailored specifically for texture artists and game developers. It revolutionizes the texture painting process by offering a non-destructive workflow and a range of advanced tools for creating highly detailed and realistic textures. Utilizing a physically based rendering (PBR) approach, Substance Painter allows artists to paint directly onto 3D models, seamlessly integrating materials, masks, and effects in real-time. Its intuitive interface and smart materials streamline the creation process, while its extensive library of presets and procedural textures empowers artists to achieve complex surface details with ease. Substance Painter's compatibility with popular game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine makes it an indispensable tool for creating immersive and visually stunning game assets.

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Substance Suite (Recommended) $19.99/mt

Substance Designer is an industry-leading node-based texturing tool designed for creating complex procedural materials. It empowers texture artists, game developers, and visual effects professionals to generate a wide variety of realistic textures with unparalleled flexibility and control. Using a node graph interface, users can construct intricate material networks that define the characteristics of their textures, such as color, roughness, and displacement. Substance Designer's procedural approach allows for non-destructive editing and infinite variation, enabling artists to generate unique textures efficiently. With its powerful set of nodes and generators, as well as the ability to import custom scripts and assets, Substance Designer is capable of producing highly detailed and customizable materials for use in games, films, architectural visualization, and more.

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Substance Suite (Recommended) $19.99/mt

Photoshop is a premier raster graphics editing software developed by Adobe, widely utilized in various creative industries such as graphic design, photography, and digital art. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for manipulating and enhancing digital images, including but not limited to retouching, compositing, and color correction. Its non-destructive editing capabilities enable users to make changes to their images without altering the original source, providing a flexible and iterative workflow. Additionally, Photoshop supports a wide range of file formats and integrates seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications, facilitating a cohesive and efficient creative process.

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Photoshop $19.99/mt
Adobe Suite Student $19.99/mt*

*.edu email required

Adobe After Effects is a powerful motion graphics and visual effects software widely used in the film, television, and advertising industries. It enables users to create captivating animations, dynamic motion graphics, and stunning visual effects through a combination of animation, compositing, and visual effects tools. After Effects' timeline-based interface allows for precise control over keyframes, enabling users to animate elements with precision and finesse. Its extensive array of effects and presets provides creative flexibility, allowing users to achieve a wide range of looks and styles, from subtle enhancements to elaborate composites. With features like motion tracking, 3D rendering, and integration with Adobe's Creative Cloud ecosystem, After Effects offers a comprehensive solution for professionals looking to create compelling motion graphics and visual effects for their projects.

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After Effects $22.99/mt
Adobe Suite Student $19.99/mt*


*.edu email required

Marvelous Designer is a specialized 3D clothing design software used primarily in the fashion, gaming, and animation industries. It allows users to create realistic virtual garments with dynamic cloth simulation, enabling designers to visualize how clothing behaves and drapes on virtual characters. Marvelous Designer's intuitive interface and powerful simulation engine make it easy to design, simulate, and iterate on clothing designs, from basic shirts and pants to intricate dresses and costumes. With features like pattern creation, sewing, and fabric presets, users can quickly prototype and refine their designs, adjusting parameters such as fabric weight, elasticity, and friction to achieve the desired look and feel. Additionally, Marvelous Designer integrates seamlessly with other 3D software, enabling users to export their garments for further refinement.

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14 Day Free Trial
Personal License $39/mt

Unreal Engine is a cutting-edge real-time 3D creation platform developed by Epic Games, widely known for its versatility and power in creating interactive experiences across various industries. Primarily used in game development, Unreal Engine offers a comprehensive suite of tools and features for designing, building, and deploying high-fidelity interactive content. Its robust rendering capabilities, including advanced lighting, materials, and effects, enable developers to create stunningly realistic environments and characters. Unreal Engine's Blueprints visual scripting system allows for rapid prototyping and iteration, empowering designers and programmers of all skill levels to bring their ideas to life without writing code.

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Epic Game Launcher Free

Wacom tablets offer digital artists unparalleled precision and sensitivity, mimicking traditional drawing tools for a seamless transition into the digital realm. With features like pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition, artists can achieve natural, expressive strokes and shading effects. The medium size strikes a balance between portability and workspace, while extensive software compatibility and customizable settings enhance efficiency and creativity, making Wacom tablets indispensable tools for artists.

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Wacom Intuos S
Wacom Intuos Pro S
Wacom Intuos Pro M (Recommended)
Wacom Intuos Pro L

Wacom's Cintiq line redefines digital art by offering artists an immersive canvas to directly draw on the screen, bridging the gap between traditional and digital mediums. Its high-resolution display ensures clarity and color accuracy for professional-grade work, while its ergonomic design and seamless integration with industry-standard software enhance comfort and streamline workflows. In essence, the Cintiq empowers artists to realize their visions with unparalleled immediacy and fidelity.

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Wacom Cintiq 22HD (Recommended)
Wacom Cintiq Pro 24
Wacom Cintiq Pro 27

The iPad with Procreate is a portable powerhouse for digital artists, providing a seamless and intuitive platform for creative expression. Procreate's versatile tools and the iPad's responsive touch interface enable precise control and vibrant visuals, while its portability allows for on-the-go creativity. With seamless workflow integration across devices, artists can effortlessly bring their visions to life wherever they are.

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iPad Pro 11-inch
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (Recommended)
Apple Pencil 2nd Gen (Recommended)