Voxel Builder

Voxel Builder is a free voxel-based 3D modeling app for people who want to create block-based scenes or convert existing models and images into voxels. It suits makers comfortable with a tablet-and-pen workflow and willing to move dense projects out of the browser. Its breadth of modeling, rendering, and export tools is compelling, but scene size and unsupported GLB animation narrow its fit.

Overview

Voxel Builder brings scene creation and asset conversion together: users can start from generated shapes or terrain, work with voxel drawing and painting tools, and render or export the result. Its project is released under GPL-3.0 and describes the app as ad-free, without trackers or logging. It can be used online or offline.

There is a Blender importer script, and baked GLB meshes can also be used in Blender and other 3D software. That makes the app useful as part of a modeling handoff, though it has no animation tools.

Key features

Modeling and conversion

Terrain, cube, sphere, and isometric generators offer different starting points, while interactive modeling, symmetric drawing and painting, voxel transforms, and color groups support further editing. Texture painting is supported. Together these tools make Voxel Builder more than a format converter, though users needing animation authoring will need another application.

Voxelization accepts GLB, OBJ, STL, and PLY models, plus images and Unicode or emoji text. This range is useful when source material is not already a voxel scene. GLB geometry animations are unsupported during voxelization; if mesh merging errors occur, the project recommends merging meshes with matching properties before export.

Rendering and project handoff

A Three.js sandbox, GPU path tracer, basic PBR rendering, and post-process effects give users several ways to present a scene. Dense scenes can raise GPU load, and the project reports lower frame rates at higher voxel volumes. Electron is the recommended choice for work involving many voxels.

Projects save and load as JSON or MagicaVoxel VOX files and export as GLB, GLTF, OBJ, STL, or PLY. Local storage, snapshots, quicksave, undo and redo, and ZIP snapshot backups offer several ways to preserve or share project states. Browser storage remains limited, so Electron is the better fit when storage capacity matters.

Pricing

Voxel Builder is free, with no paid plan described. That makes the full toolset accessible without a subscription, but it does not remove practical limits: large scenes can affect frame rates and GPU load, and browser storage can constrain projects.

Platforms

Voxel Builder supports web use in Chrome and Firefox on desktop and mobile, and is PWA add-to-home-screen ready. Electron downloads are provided for Linux x64 and Windows x64. The project recommends a tablet with a pen or a Wacom tablet for the best experience, a sensible consideration for drawing and painting work.

Who it's for

Voxel Builder is a strong fit for artists and makers who want to build or paint voxel scenes, convert varied source assets, and export into common 3D formats without paying for the editor. It is less suitable for users who need animation tools, must voxelize animated GLB geometry, or expect consistently smooth performance and ample storage in a browser with dense projects.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Supports several generators, symmetric editing, transforms, color groups, and texture painting, giving users options for both scene creation and refinement.
• Pros: Imports multiple 3D formats as well as images and text, then exports to GLB, GLTF, OBJ, STL, and PLY for handoff to other software.
• Pros: Free, GPL-3.0, and described as ad-free with no trackers or logging.
• Cons: High voxel volumes can reduce frame rates and dense scenes can increase GPU load, so large projects favor Electron.
• Cons: Browser storage is limited, making it a less comfortable option for storage-heavy projects unless using Electron.
• Cons: GLB geometry animations cannot be voxelized, and there are no animation tools for creating animated scenes.

Alternatives

Goxel is worth considering for users who want a free desktop voxel editor with an unlimited scene size described for its desktop version; it also supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its iOS price is unstated.

Crocotile 3D may suit users who specifically want a paid voxel editor with a free trial; its registration code costs $29.99 a month, billed per person.

Vengi VoxEdit is another free, open-source option for Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, but it is under development.

Blockhammer is a free voxel editor for macOS, Windows, and Linux downloads, currently in early access.

Mega Voxels is a mobile alternative for Android and iOS with a free download and free content licenses; its Weekly Premium plan is $1.99 a month, billed weekly.

MagicaVoxel and The Sandbox Game Maker are free alternatives for Windows and macOS. Facet is a freemium alternative for web and Windows.

Browse the Voxel Editors list to compare more options.

Verdict

Choose Voxel Builder if you want a free, flexible voxel workspace that combines modeling, conversion, rendering, and export across common 3D formats. Its strongest case is breadth without a subscription; look elsewhere if your work depends on animation, animated GLB voxelization, or large scenes running smoothly with browser storage.