Open-source 3D for illustrators

Today’s open-source software (OSS) isn’t your Dad’s. Many of today’s top open-source programs have caught up and are every bit as good as the commercial-ware they compete with. Their main cost is the time it takes to learn them, as they can sometimes be a bit more idiosyncratic than commercial tools. But even that’s getting better. Plus, all but one package discussed here is available on all major platforms, Mac, Windows and Linux.

As an illustrator, keeping costs down is important. OSS tools don’t have purchase or upgrade costs. They won’t hit you with monthly subscriptions, and their subscription won’t expire in the middle of a major project. Plus, you can load them onto as many computers as you like.

And OSS means you don’t have to worry quite as much about software choices. Even if your client’s