Cross-platform open-source 3D modeling software
Dust3D 1.0 is finally released — about 10 years after the first commit in December 2016. I posted a preview version here in April 2018 and a beta in December 2018. Back then I thought 1.0 was just around the corner, but I kept adding new features that I could barely find time to finish as a weekend side project. I finally got it done with GitHub Copilot, using models including Claude Opus 4.6, Raptor mini (Preview), Claude Haiku 4.5, and Claude Sonnet 4.6. It's a cross-platform low-poly 3D modeling app focused on making it fast to create game-ready characters and objects from scratch. Source…
Cross-platform open-source 3D modeling software launched on December 1, 2018 with 290 votes, #40 of 2,148 launches that month and more than 95% of that year's launches. The site was still online in September 2026, 7 years on.
In plain words
Dust3D is a free, open-source 3D modeling software for creating low-poly models for video games and 3D printing. It streamlines character creation by automating UV unwrapping, rigging, and animation through a sketch-based workflow on a 2D canvas. Users sketch a skeleton, generate a mesh in real time, assign bone names, adjust animation parameters, and export directly to GLB or FBX format. The software runs cross-platform and includes example files to help users get started quickly.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
Dust3D is a free, open source low poly 3D modeling tool for video games and 3D printing. Features sketch-to-mesh, auto-rigging, procedural animation, and single-tool GLB/FBX export.
Cross-platform 3D modeling software for video games, 3D printing, and more — free and open source. Dust3D automates the tedious parts of 3D character creation — UV unwrapping, rigging, and animation. Sketch a skeleton on a 2D canvas, get a mesh in real time, assign bone names, tune animation parameters, and export. Once Dust3D is running, try the example .ds3 models to get started quickly — open any file via File → Openfrom dust3d.org
In the maker’s words, at launch
Dust3D 1.0 is finally released — about 10 years after the first commit in December 2016. I posted a preview version here in April 2018 and a beta in December 2018. Back then I thought 1.0 was just around the corner, but I kept adding new features that I could barely find time to finish as a weekend side project. I…
Does a similar job
all alternatives →- WAWrite a 3D modeling software from scratch2018 · dust3d.readthedocs.io · ▲34
Dust3D is a free, open source low poly 3D modeling tool for video games and 3D printing. Features sketch-to-mesh, auto-rigging, procedural animation, and single-tool GLB/FBX export.
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