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description: 3D Modeling using tools such as Alibre Atom 3D, Blender, and Plasticity
---

# 3D Modeling

Since CAD programs were first created, there have been a number of different approaches. The most common ones, and example implementations may be:

* Mechanical modeling --- Alibre Atom 3D, Dune 3D
* Mesh sculpting --- Blender
* NURBS --- Plasticity 3D

This page will consider these three concepts and ways in which they might be used.

Dune 3D is an opensource application:

{% embed url="https://dune3d.org/" %}

and is available as an installable download for Windows: [https://github.com/dune3d/dune3d/releases/tag/v1.1.0](https://github.com/dune3d/dune3d/releases/tag/v1.1.0) and as source code with instructions for building in Mac OS X and Linux.

When first launched, it appears as a small window:

<figure><img src="https://235206304-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M2NwCQrLAFxezOUTC9_%2Fuploads%2FT01SozxzqbkQR9eDpkIH%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f1d82668-007b-4193-b9aa-99b2488f5aaf" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

with a list of recent files (if applicable) and buttons for creating a new document or opening an existing one, as well as standard window controls and interface elements for other commands such as maximizing:

<figure><img src="https://235206304-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M2NwCQrLAFxezOUTC9_%2Fuploads%2FKjpgqIuwdQVpPmUso4bp%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=48bfa050-22fd-4923-bf5e-2dfc9463ecae" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Creating a new document brings up a window:

<figure><img src="https://235206304-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M2NwCQrLAFxezOUTC9_%2Fuploads%2FvX2M3a37yewdaFPRhyFH%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9088d9ef-e995-4bb6-872f-b3d616f1eb45" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

which along with basic commands is discussed at: [https://docs.dune3d.org/en/latest/usage.html](https://docs.dune3d.org/en/latest/usage.html)
