{"id":3492,"date":"2020-12-24T12:57:57","date_gmt":"2020-12-24T12:57:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/?p=3492"},"modified":"2026-05-19T12:44:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T12:44:29","slug":"3d-ui-design-inspiration-tools-free-resources","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/3d-ui-design-inspiration-tools-free-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"3D UI Design &#8211; Inspiration, Tools &#038; Free Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Flat-design is out this year. The latest trend in UI design is 3D elements and dynamic looks. Here&#8217;s a collection of 3D UI inspiration, tools, and free resources.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may also be interested in my last article about UI trends: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/weekly-design-inspiration-x3-_-voice-control-face-masks-smart-homes\/\">Voice Control, 3D Illustrations &amp; Face Masks in Current UI Trends<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-table-of-contents uagb-toc__align-left uagb-toc__columns-1  uagb-block-04b10707      \"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-scroll= \"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-offset= \"30\"\n\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTable Of Contents\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__list-wrap \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#common-3d-elements\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Common 3D elements<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#inspiration-for-3d-ui-design\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Inspiration for 3D UI Design<\/a><ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#3d-in-ui-mockups\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">3D in UI mockups<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#ar-vr\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">AR &amp; VR<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#3d-ui-illustration\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">3D UI Illustration<\/a><ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#3d-humans-floating-ui-cards\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">3D Humans &amp; Floating UI cards<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#logo\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Logo<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#tools\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Tools<\/a><ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#the-best-3d-ui-tools\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">The Best 3D UI Tools<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#read-this-next\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Read this next<\/a><\/ul><\/ul><\/ul><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common 3D elements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trending dynamic\/3D elements in user interface design are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>3D humans &amp; hand gestures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Floating UI cards &amp; widgets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gradient spheres<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weather icons<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>3D logo &amp; favicons<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>3D blocks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>UI mockups in real-life footage (AR\/VR)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Inspiration for 3D UI Design <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">UI design in 3D is mostly used for social media content and marketing material. It creates a &#8220;wow&#8221; effect. But it is also used for illustrating futuristic concepts of AR and VR products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s a list of 3D UI design inspiration, with credits in the image description.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3D in UI mockups<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Designs where there&#8217;s a UI screen, but elements in the screen have been made into 3D objects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dribbble.com\/shots\/14326161-Dashboard-Dark-Mockup-for-Unity\">Tran Mau Tri tram<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dribbble.com\/shots\/14310353-Mobile-application-Weather-App\">Imran Hosen<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AR &amp; VR<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Combining real-life footage with 3d UI mockups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Carl Hauser<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dribbble.com\/shots\/1282514-Loading-anim\">Nicolas Girard<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dribbble.com\/shots\/2893882-Augmented-Reality-Focus-Mode\">Josh Ackerman<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3D UI Illustration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Illustrations with 3D humans, logos, and floating cards have been especially popular. Here is the inspiration for 3D illustrations that were made for user interfaces<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3D Humans &amp; Floating UI cards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dribbble.com\/shots\/8172256-Blueprint-landing-page\">Vikiiing<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dribbble.com\/shots\/7805744-Dashboard-Illustration\">Peter Tarka<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Logo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3D logos and related<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dribbble.com\/shots\/12910101-Apple-not-flat\">David Kovalev<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dribbble.com\/shots\/13532757-Figma-3D-Icon-for-Mac-OS-Big-Sur\">Tran Mau Tri Tam<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dribbble.com\/shots\/9413689-Design-Tools\">Dash<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want to create your own 3D UI elements, there are a lot of 3D UI Tools that you can use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The common 3D software Blender and Octane work as well. But they may not be the best suited for UI elements. See the list below for some tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Best 3D UI Tools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vectary.com\/\">Vectary<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/Spline.design\">Spline<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adobe.com\/se\/products\/aftereffects.html?sdid=8JD95K3M&amp;mv=search&amp;ef_id=Cj0KCQiAlZH_BRCgARIsAAZHSBlCpXM2XG0AazXG50k8NueJt1Nyu9ThzxECEsFVCkNubLbm9xSvpBoaAqEuEALw_wcB:G:s&amp;s_kwcid=AL!3085!3!340867592615!e!!g!!after%20effects!1469952887!58520275833&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAlZH_BRCgARIsAAZHSBlCpXM2XG0AazXG50k8NueJt1Nyu9ThzxECEsFVCkNubLbm9xSvpBoaAqEuEALw_wcB\">After Effects <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naker.io\/\">Naker.io<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/Drama.app\">Drama.app<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/boxshot.com\/\">Box Shot<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/the-best-free-figma-community-files-and-plugins\/\">Figma plugins\/files<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some of the resources were found on this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=bFeZ7OlmoZc\">video by Punit Chawla on YouTube<\/a>. Check it out below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<p class=\"responsive-video-wrap clr\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"3D UI Mockup Tools You Must Try | Design Essentials\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bFeZ7OlmoZc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thanks for reading! I hope this was helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Read this next<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you enjoyed this article, I also think you&#8217;ll like these:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/the-best-free-figma-community-files-and-plugins\/\">The Best Free Figma Community Files and Plugins<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/ux-ui-design-programs-and-applications\/\">6 Best UX\/UI Design Software for 2021<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/learn-ux-ui-design-books\/\">Best 4 Books to Learn UX\/UI Design for Beginners<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The latest trend in UI design is 3D  elements and dynamic looks. Here&#8217;s a collection of 3D UI inspiration, tools, and free resources.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3858,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[175,177],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3492","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ui-design","category-ui-kits","entry","has-media"],"gutentor_comment":2,"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/3d-ui-design-inspiration-and-tools.png",1280,720,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/3d-ui-design-inspiration-and-tools-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/3d-ui-design-inspiration-and-tools-300x169.png",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/3d-ui-design-inspiration-and-tools-768x432.png",768,432,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/3d-ui-design-inspiration-and-tools-1024x576.png",1024,576,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/3d-ui-design-inspiration-and-tools.png",1280,720,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/3d-ui-design-inspiration-and-tools.png",1280,720,false],"ocean-thumb-m":["https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/3d-ui-design-inspiration-and-tools.png",600,338,false],"ocean-thumb-ml":["https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/3d-ui-design-inspiration-and-tools.png",800,450,false],"ocean-thumb-l":["https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/3d-ui-design-inspiration-and-tools.png",1200,675,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Wendy Zhou","author_link":"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/author\/wendy1111live-se\/"},"uagb_comment_info":2,"uagb_excerpt":"The latest trend in UI design is 3D elements and dynamic looks. Here's a collection of 3D UI inspiration, tools, and free resources.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3492","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3492"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3492\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8983,"href":"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3492\/revisions\/8983"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3858"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3492"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3492"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wendyzhou.se\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3492"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}