Free 3D model editor

Blockbench is a design application that allows users to create low-poly 3D models. It provides a wide variety of tools for making custom models, applying textures, and even animating them. The app is free to use for any type of project and is open-source under the GPL license.

Blockbench uses cuboids to get that Minecraft aesthetic, making it a good model editor for the popular sandbox game. It even comes with dedicated formats for Minecraft Java and Bedrock Edition. Moreover, you can directly export to Minecraft. Even better, you can use it outside Minecraft, although its uses will be limited.

What does Blockbench offer?

Blockbench is a 3D modeling app that allows you to create Minecraft models using your own textures. As mentioned, it puts all the tools at your disposal to make the low-poly model creation as easy as possible. You start by entering the file name, parent model, texture size, and description tag. You can create regular and entity models and even export blockmodels, Optifine entities, OBJ models, and save JSON models.

As far as editing features go, the app lets you add cubes and set the cube angle, origin, and orientation. You can edit and paint texture right inside the app using the 3D space or the 2D texture editor. Moreover, you can load textures from local PNGs. You can even use an external image editor or pixel art app since the editor supports plugins.

The program also offers a powerful animation editor and a graph editor to fine-tune your projects and bring them to life. Later, you can export your animations to Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, render them in Blender or Maya or share them on Sketchfab. While it mainly uses cuboids, users can also add curves to their models. However, doing so is harder and can bring animation difficulties.

Should you use it?

Taking things into account, Blockbench is surely an app that can make your Minecraft gaming more fun. With this, you can create 3D models for the game using easy-to-use tools. Moreover, you can bring more to your projects by adding animation and texture features. Even better, you can use it for other applications, not only Minecraft. Just note that uses outside Minecraft models will be limited.