Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) is the latest trend in the tech industry, and today, it is more than just a buzzword.

The best AR and VR design software will help you change the way people interact with the environment around us. Creating digital but life-like objects via smart devices has the potential to transform every industry, from design and gaming to technology.

No matter your requirement, there is a wide variety of AR and VR design software available for every skill and purpose. If you plan to make your mark in the metaverse, you should consider the AR and VR tools listed in this article below.

10+ Best Software for AR and VR Design in 2022

Our list of the top 10 best AR and VR design tools is based on features, price, popularity, and user reviews.

1. Adobe Aero — The best AR design software overall (Editor’s choice)
2. Tvori — The best budget AR design software
3. Masterpiece Studio Pro — The best value VR design software
4. Vuforia Engine — The best AR design software for advanced users
5. Unity 3D — The best free software for AR and VR design
6. Oculus Medium — The best 3D design platform for Oculus headsets
7. Gravity Sketch — The best video effects software for beginners
8. ROAR Editor — The best AR design software for beginners
9. Amazon Sumerian — The best web-based 3D design application
10. Google Tilt Brush — The best VR design software for artists

 

What are augmented and virtual reality?

Before stepping into knowing the best software for AR and VR design, you must understand what it is.

Augmented reality (AR)

Augmented reality is something that combines the physical and virtual worlds. This overlays digital images in your physical view. Augmented reality gives you an enhanced version of the real physical world visualized digitally with the same effects and sensory sounds and elements. 

Virtual reality (VR)

VR technology involves a computer-generated environment with objects and elements that appear to be real and make the user experience the same feeling as immersed in the environment.

Mixed Reality (MR)

This was created to make the user experience both visual and physical content in reality, so a user sees and interacts with the physical and digital world at the same time. 

10+ Best Software for AR and VR Design in 2022 — Free & Paid

1. Adobe Aero

 

The best AR design software overall

It is a known fact that Adobe makes some of the best software for art and design, and Adobe Aero is no exception. You can create immersive augmented reality experiences using assets you’ve designed in other apps without any requirement for coding!

Aero adds a whole new dimension to the way AR experiences are designed. You can use 2D images from Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator or 3D models from Adobe Substance 3D Stager and third-party apps like Cinema 4D to create compelling designs that will leave your users awe-struck.

Its robust yet easy-to-use tools on Adobe Aero also make it a fantastic option for beginners. You can export, publish and share your AR designs on social media with just one click. However, the best part about Aero is that it is compatible with both Mac OS and Windows, and you can also try it out for free on iOS devices.

See our guide on how to download Adobe Aero free and our Adobe discount guide to snag up to 65% off.  Also see our guide on the full list of Adobe software.

 

2. Tvori

 

The best budget AR design software

Whether creating story prototypes, shape XR apps or full-scale animation films, Tvori makes everything possible. You can learn as you go with Tvori, and no prior knowledge in 3D content creation is required before using the app. There is an extensive library of simple shapes, props, and effects to choose from, and you can also import 3D models, images, videos, and sounds to add to your projects.

With Tvori, you also have the option to export your work as videos, 360 videos, photos, 360 photos, VR experiences, and 3D models with animations. It is also very collaboration-based, making it easy to share your creations with colleagues working together on VR projects. Overall, it is one of the best VR design tools for beginners on a budget.

 

3. Masterpiece Studio Pro

The best value VR design software

Masterpiece Studio Pro is one of the best all-around options available for 3D modeling in VR. From concept art to designs, you can draw, model, optimize, rig, skin and animate directly with your hands in 3D and VR with PC and headset. You can also export projects to game engines and animation software for further development.

It boasts some highly advanced features such as the auto-rigger and auto-skin functions that let you create an entire model in just one click. Other functionalities include a simple UI, mesh processing tools, texture painting, retopology, stamps, and kitbashing, making Masterpiece Studio Pro a favorite among artists and designers.

The possibilities are endless with Studio Pro, and it is suitable for all levels of professional as well as personal use.

 

4. Vuforia Engine

The best AR design software for advanced users

Vuforia Engine is at the top of the list of most popular SDKs to develop Augmented Reality applications, and with good reason. First introduced by Qualcomm, Vuforia Engine is a comprehensive software that enables you to create engaging 3D product demonstrations and applications. It connects people to products through an immersive AR experience.

It is the preferred choice of over 800,000+ developers thanks to its incredible performance, advanced computer vision and cross-platform abilities that can be utilized to develop native apps for iOS and Android. If you aren’t as tech-savvy and coding is your kryptonite, you can opt for Vuforia Studio that lets you build robust and immersive 3D augmented reality experiences without programming expertise.

 

5. Unity 3D

The best free software for AR and VR design

Unity 3D is the world’s most popular platform for creating 3D projects and has been the trusted choice of game developers, animators, and visual artists for years. It is a complete VR development tool and has a vast asset store of 2D, 3D designs and templates that you can directly import into the development environment.

It is backed by a large community of developers who are constantly working on improving the quality along with quickening the development process. Combined with a high-optimization rendering pipeline, stereo instancing, spatial audio, authoring tools, and the rapid iteration capabilities of the Editor, it isn’t difficult to see why Unity is one of the world’s best 3D development platforms.

Unity 3D has been used to create games and build 3D solutions for the gaming, automotive, transport, manufacturing, film, animation cinematics industry. It is a testament to the software’s capabilities, and it is highly recommended if you are a professional AR and VR designer.

 

6. Oculus Medium

 

The best VR software for character design

Another great tool by Adobe for VR design is the Oculus Medium. This VR tool is most appealing to character artists. It lets you sculpt, model, paint and create objects in a VR environment using the Oculus Touch controllers alongside the Oculus Rift. That isn’t all; you can also create organic shapes, abstract art and anything in between with this easy-to-use tool.

You can choose from hundreds of prefabricated stamps, including anatomy, letters, numbers, shapes, and various widgets or export high-resolution meshes for 3D modeling and printing. This app has been designed so that you can spend more time being creative rather than spending long hours designing, making it one of our top apps for VR design.

 

7. Gravity Sketch

The best 3D design platform for Oculus headsets

Whether it is creating concept sketches or detailed 3D models, Gravity Sketch is a 3D design platform with a wide variety of digital tools that will help you express any idea in real-time. It started as a sculpting tool used by the auto and shoe industry but has become one of the premier applications for VR design.

Its easy-to-use tools offer a truly intuitive experience. You can draw freehand in 3D space and import 2D sketches to trace over and bring your creations to life. It also allows you to seamlessly communicate and collaborate with your colleagues, synchronize your files across multiple devices, and integrate it with the cloud via LandingPad.

Gravity Sketch previously charged a one-time fee, but since early 2021, it has become free of cost for individual users. It is one of the best free VR design tools around, and it is highly recommended for beginners.

 

8. ROAR Editor

The best AR design software for beginners

If you are new to the world of augmented reality, there isn’t a more beginner-friendly app to learn about AR than the ROAR Editor.

It is designed for non-technical users and lets you create engaging AR experiences by dragging and dropping different elements such as video, images, buttons, text, 3D models and more. ROAR Editor has all the features you need to test, play and deliver incredible AR models.

ROAR Editor makes AR design simple and accessible as it does not require any coding or technical skills. It is compatible with most platforms such as iOS, Windows and Web and supports all major social media platforms. This is why the ROAR Editor is, without any doubt, the most easy-to-use AR design app available.

 

9. Amazon Sumerian

The best web-based 3D design application

Amazon Sumerian makes it easy to create browser-based 3D, AR and VR applications. You can build highly immersive designs without technical skills or 3D graphics expertise. Sumerian is supported by most platforms, including Oculus Go, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, as well as Android and iOS mobile devices.

The Sumerian editor features ready-to-use scene templates and intuitive drag-and-drop tools that enable artists and designers to build interactive scenes. If you are a developer with existing HTML, CSS and JavaScript expertise, you can also write custom scripts to craft more complex experiences.

Integration with AWS also means that you can easily access machine learning, chatbots, code execution and more tools at once. Since it is web-based, all your projects will be accessible via a simple browser URL and can be run on popular hardware for AR/VR.

 

10. Google Tilt Brush

The best VR design software for artists

For professional artists and amateurs alike, Google Tilt Brush is one of the best 3D design tools around. It lets you paint in a 3D space with virtual reality, using various dynamic brushes and shaders, from ink and smoke to snow and fire.

Using Google Tilt Brush, you can create artwork and designs that you can interact with and walk around in for an authentic one-of-a-kind experience. The possibilities are endless with this app, and all you need is a VR headset to get started.

 

What are the advantages of using AR and VR software?

This technology is new but has certain advantages it offers in all fields. The following are a few advantages of using AR software in businesses. 

Product view

This technology makes it possible for potential customers to see and interact with your product or service before buying it. You can educate your customers so they may make more educated decisions about their purchases.

Content Enhancement

This technology allows you to implant various types of perspectives into your content. They will also help people to point at a real-life object to learn the necessary information instead of making them do their research.

Training  

It enables companies to train employees more thoroughly through documentation and meetings. This software makes it easy for the trainees to learn career responsibilities by visualizing them, instead of just reading them and memorizing them.

Performance

 This helps improve workflow and processes of their work by making it easier. Say for example, if a manufacturing company has a long process and steep learning curve to follow, they can make it easier and more understandable with the help of AR and VR technology. This makes their employees work efficiently which in turn improves the performance overall, especially for manufacturing-based companies and businesses. 

Engaging the audience

 Advertisements for various products and services are overrun with print and television advertisements, to the point where consumers don’t pay attention to them.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

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10+ Best Software for AR and VR Design in 2022

Creating powerful customer experiences is crucial for any business, and AR and VR are revolutionizing how we interact with brands by creating unique and immersive experiences. It is the future and can improve the customer experience for every industry.

If you want to leverage this technology of the future to build your brand, you will need powerful software that can turn your creativity into real possibilities. This article has software for every user level, from beginner to experienced, and we hope you found this list helpful.