AC3D is used to create 3D models for games; virtual-reality/simulation software; scientific, medical, and general-data visualizations; high-resolution 3D renderings and rapid prototyping of 3D designs. Features include a simple click-and-drag user interface; Texture co-ordinate editor (UV Mapper);powerful boolean functions; unlimited polygon and line editing down to the vertex level; subdivision surface modeling; Boolean operations; and a TrueType font 2D and 3D text generator.

The software supports many 3D file-formats including POV-Ray, VRML, RenderMan, 3D Studio, LightWave, DXF, OBJ, DirectX, MilkShape, MD2, Quake BSP, Unreal Tournament T3D, and more.