The Best 3D Mockup Software (8 Top Tools)
There are quite a few types of mockups that designers frequently use. Most people settle for wireframes or some other kind of simple mockup. But for the designers who genuinely understand the need to be exceptional, 3D mockups are usually the way to go.
3D mockups will bring your design to life in a way that nothing else can. You must have seen viral videos on the internet of bold 3D ads on billboards, so we are sure that you understand the wow effect that's added simply by the ads being 3D rather than 2D. While it's not the same process with mockups, the impact and feeling are just the same!
So, how do you go about creating these? Thankfully, you do not need an art school degree or a $1,000 tool to create 3D mockups. If you only need a quick mockup, you can easily buy one on Yellowimages—an online marketplace for varying design elements, from 3D models to stock photos, creative templates, and other features you'll need in the design process.
8 Best 3D Mockup Software Options
You can use some free or cheap software to create mind-blowing 3D mockups. Here are the best 8:
ProVisual
ProVisual is one of the best places to create 3D mockups online. It is a top-rated general design tool with which you can create exciting, professional 3D mockups.
Essentially, all you have to do is upload your design and select your desired 3D format. ProVisual has over a thousand different forms on which the design can then be displayed to show how it would look in the real world.
Some of these features are entirely free. But as you would expect, if you want the whole experience of this design tool, you'll need to buy the premium package.
Canva
Canva is another very popular software for designers. Its primary advantage is its accessibility and ease of use. Anyone can download the Canva app on mobile devices and create a professional-looking design in minutes.
However, while most people use Canva for simple flyers, videos, and other 2D content, the software also has 3D mockup capabilities.
First, you must drag and drop your images to create your 2D design as expected. Then, click “Edit Photo” on the white ribbon above the workspace. On the sidebar that comes up, scroll down to find “Mockups” and follow the instructions.
This software is also mostly free to use. However, you'll need to upgrade to the premium version to access some of its best and most professional features.
Smart Mockups
Smart Mockups is another online tool for creating realistic 3D mockups and other product visualisations.
It allows you to produce 3D models of various products, from phones, tablets, and computers to t-shirts, home decor, and even mugs.
It is also free but for just about 200 basic mockups. You'll need to pay a subscription fee to access the more professional-looking mockups with more complete features.
Mockuuups Studio
Mockuuups is a free software for 3D mockup generation, with both MacOS & Windows compatibilities.
Mockuuups Studio's advantage is that, while most other software requires users to build designs piece by piece, with Mockuuups, you can upload your design, and the software will automatically apply it to hundreds of mockup templates. You can then choose whichever ones you think appropriate, and voila! You have your 3D mockup.
Also, Mockuuups has offline usage capabilities that enable designers to keep working without an internet connection.
The software offers a free plan with limited features and just ten mockups. To access a more in-depth experience, you'll need to pay for the premium version.
Magic Mockups
Magic Mockups is another excellent design tool for creating 3D mockups online. It offers various design possibilities across phone and computer representations, flyers and other physical ad media, and outdoor advertising.
Unlike most other online software, Magic Mockups does not require designers to go through a lengthy account creation process. You can just open the website and immediately create great 3D mockups.
The software is also mostly free, so you'll get complete freedom to be as creative as you want.
Shotsnapp
Shotsnapp is a niche tool for generating 3D mockups of phones, computers, and other digital devices. All you have to do is select your preferred template, add your design, and customise the design to your preferences.
This tool also has a free version. However, this free plan has a significant limitation: you cannot simultaneously work on multiple mockup screens. You cannot generate different mockups for phones, tablets, and computers, as is the norm, at once. You would have to create each model individually. And, as you would expect, this can be quite a hassle.
Instead, you can pay a small subscription fee for a more robust experience.
Threed.io
Threed.io is another design tool that lets you create 3D device mockups. However, they currently only provide one template — a phone template; although they have announced plans to expand on that in the future. The software is also now completely free to use.
Mockupsjar
Mockupsjar allows you to create 3D designs for various uses — devices, apparel, books, home decor, etc.
All you have to do is upload your design, select your preferred format and resolution, click “Generate”, and voila! Your high-quality, professional-looking 3D design is ready.
The software is also free to use, providing access to more than 500 mockups. However, you must upgrade to the paid version to access more mockups and other features.
Conclusion
Who needs to pay $1,800 for professional software to create 3D mockups? Well, not you, now that you know 8 of the best free or almost free mockup generation applications on the internet. With most of these, you can use them without paying a dime. And even when you need to pay to use premium features, they don't cost too much.
Finally, suppose you want the absolute best of everything—design elements, creative templates, design quality, resolution, and everything else you need to create mockups on your preferred design tool. In that case, your number one choice should be Yellowimages. On there, you'll find the broadest range of mockups and design tools, more than you'll ever need. Head on over to the website now at yellowimages.com to see for yourself.
