Spline 3D—how creatives are using Spline in the wild

For many, 3D design has always felt intimidating. Traditional programs like Maya or Cinema 4D are powerful but come with complex interfaces that can overwhelm newcomers. Spline is different. It is designed to let you (yes, you) create intricate 3D models and animations quickly—even if you’ve never touched a 3D design tool before.

Its drag-and-drop interface, prebuilt materials, and simple controls make it incredibly user-friendly. So, whether you’re working on branding, web design, or animated graphics, Spline lets you create high-quality results quickly, turning 3D from a challenge into an opportunity.

You can craft stunning 3D elements with just a few clicks, choosing from a library of pre-designed models or building your own. Excitingly, 3D assets that can be used in Spline are now available directly on Envato, giving designers even more options to expand their creative toolkits!

Spline is great for both minimalistic design elements and more complex shapes. But you can go even further and create scenes or detailed animated characters. Just take a look at this amazing 3D character designed, textured, and animated entirely in Spline by Lisa Odette!

Spline’s real-time collaboration feature is a game-changer for creative teams. Multiple users can work on the same project simultaneously, allowing for seamless collaboration. Whether you’re working in a distributed team across time zones or you’re a solo creator who loves getting feedback, Spline makes it incredibly easy to keep projects moving forward without the back-and-forth of file-sharing.

It’s more than just a productivity booster—imagine being able to brainstorm, tweak, and finalize a design all in one go, in real time! This feature is particularly useful for agencies, freelance teams, and anyone involved in web and UI design.

Animating in 3D can be seriously intimidating, but not with Spline. One of its standout features is its built-in animation tools that allow you to animate your 3D models effortlessly. You can create complex animations with simple keyframes—no need for heavy coding or advanced knowledge. Spline handles the difficult part, giving you the flexibility to focus on creativity.

You can create animations ranging from simple transitions to complex, multi-step sequences. These animations can be exported and embedded directly into websites, apps, presentations, and even games! And it’s all possible without needing deep technical expertise.

Speaking of games, check out this animated 3D game made in Spline by the talented Joren Peters!

Another reason Spline stands out is the high-quality materials and textures that are built right in. Designers can create trendy, polished renders with smooth gradients, realistic shadows, and dynamic lighting—all without the usual headaches of setting up complex environments.

In 2024, visual appeal is everything. Users and brands alike demand design that not only looks good but feels fresh, and Spline delivers that aesthetic. The growing popularity of sleek, colorful, and tactile 3D designs across websites, mobile apps, and digital marketing makes this tool a must-have for any creative looking to stay ahead of the curve.

Spline doesn’t just make creation easy—it makes sharing and exporting just as seamless. Once you’ve finished your design, export your work in multiple formats, embed it directly into your web projects, or share it across social media with just a few clicks. This fast, flexible export capability lets you take your 3D creations from concept to live in no time.

But why is Spline gaining popularity now? The answer lies in the demand for more engaging, interactive content. As websites and apps evolve, flat designs no longer have the same impact. Users want experiences that feel immersive, and 3D icons, animations, and interactive visuals meet that need. Spline is at the heart of this shift, providing a platform that allows designers to easily integrate 3D elements into their work.

The visual quality of the renders and materials available in Spline is not just high-end; it’s also on-trend with what’s dominating the design landscape in 2024. Consumers and brands are gravitating toward bright, colorful designs with smooth gradients, realistic textures, and polished lighting effects.

In a world where attention spans are short, having eye-catching, beautiful visuals is more important than ever, and Spline helps designers stay ahead of the curve.

From glossy product mockups to sleek interface animations, Spline’s materials and rendering engine make it easy to create designs that look like they were made in complex software without the steep learning curve.

In today’s digital world, engaging visuals are no longer optional—they’re essential! Brands and websites are competing for attention in crowded spaces, and 3D design has become one of the most effective ways to stand out.

One of Spline’s most exciting aspects is its diverse applications. Designers around the world are using Spline for everything from animated logos and product mockups to interactive website elements and 3D illustrations. A quick glance through platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Dribbble, and Spline’s community will give you a sense of how versatile and powerful the tool really is.

Here are some popular ways people are using Spline:

Designers are using Spline to integrate interactive 3D elements into websites. Imagine a product page where you can rotate and inspect a 3D model of an item or animated buttons that respond to user interaction. These small touches can make a website feel more dynamic and engaging, improving user experience. For instance, you can integrate 3D objects into your website, app, or game to add personality and motion to otherwise static design elements.

Spline makes the process of adding animated 3D elements to your website designs super easy! For example, trendy widgets that turn any flat or static design into a fun interactive experience.

Many designers are turning to Spline for product mockups and visualizations. Brands are using 3D renders to showcase their products from every angle, providing customers with a more realistic view of what they’re purchasing. This approach is particularly popular in e-commerce, where 3D product views can make a huge difference in customer engagement and sales.

With the growing demand for more immersive user interfaces, Spline is being used to create interactive 3D icons for web and mobile apps. Imagine a fun animation of some popular apps that you’re using on a daily basis. For example, this Notion icon was made by Michał Sambora entirely in Spline.

Or a “likes counter” 3D icon that pops with a smooth effect, adding hearts with every click. These micro-interactions enhance user engagement and add a fun, dynamic touch to digital designs.

Brands are now leveraging Spline to bring their visual identities to life in three dimensions. Whether it’s 3D logos or full animations for social media campaigns, Spline allows designers to elevate branding in ways that feel modern and engaging. Let’s take a look at creative brand campaigns that have been built entirely in Spline.

Forbes used Spline to create and integrate on their website these shiny Legacy Passes for web and marketing initiatives. Such neat and stylish design makes it really attractive for their new clients.

Polaroid created a very detailed 3D model of their Polaroid I-2 Instant Camera fully in Spline, creating an immersive user experience where users can observe it from all angles, making it easy to imagine what the product looks like in real life.

Another great example of creating an interactive and eye-catching UI 3D design for their brand is Luma, a service that helps you plan and host fun Zoom events. Both light and dark versions of their design look great!

The growing popularity of 3D design in marketing, web development, and UI/UX design is one reason why now is the best time to explore Spline. The demand for engaging, interactive visuals is skyrocketing, and brands are looking for designers who can create experiences that stand out. With Spline, you have a chance to break into the 3D space without needing to master complex software.

Another reason to get started with Spline now is its learning curve. The tool is designed for ease of use, making it possible to produce professional-quality 3D designs without an intimidating and exhausting experience.

Watch how Envato instructor Adi Purdila was able to open Spline for the first time and start creating straight away:

Spline runs directly in your browser, meaning you don’t need a high-end computer to get started—anyone with an internet connection can jump right into 3D design.

For those who prefer desktop applications, Spline offers a downloadable version, too. The desktop app provides smoother and more stable performance for more complex projects just because it’s not overloaded with other tabs opened like your browser might be. Otherwise, both the browser and desktop versions are identical and offer the same intuitive interface.

If you’re looking to take your designs to the next level, now is the perfect time to explore what Spline has to offer. This makes it even easier to experiment with 3D design and integrate it into your projects, regardless of your level of experience.

Check out its growing collection of assets and projects on Envato and start your 3D design journey today!