Softwr

3D & CAD · head to head

3D-Coat vs A-Frame

3D-Coat logo

3D-Coat

3D & CAD

Digital sculpting for game artists

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
A-Frame logo

A-Frame

AR/VR & Metaverse

Web framework for building VR experiences

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only A-Frame has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 3D-Coat split into separate products, so 3DCoatTextura covers texturing only and the full sculpting toolset needs the complete 3DCoat licence; A-Frame requires WebXR-capable browser; not supported on older browsers or devices without WebXR implementation
  • They diverge on capability: 3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, A-Frame covers Declarative HTML.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3D-Coat and A-Frame actually diverge.

Attributes where 3D-Coat and A-Frame differ
Attribute3D-CoatA-Frame
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelone-timeopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWeb (via WebXR), VR headsets, AR-capable mobile devices
Category3D & CADAR/VR & Metaverse
Founded20072015

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 3D-Coat

  • Voxel sculpting
  • Surface sculpting
  • Retopology
  • UV mapping
  • Texture painting
  • PBR materials
  • Smart materials
  • Baking

Only in A-Frame

  • Declarative HTML
  • Entity-component system
  • WebXR support
  • Cross-platform
  • Three.js
  • AR.js
  • Physics engines
  • Networking

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

3D-Coat

  • Voxel sculpting from a digital clay blocknot A-Frame
  • Retopology of high-density sculpts into production meshesnot A-Frame
  • UV mapping and PBR texturingnot A-Frame
  • Preparing print-ready models for 3D printingnot A-Frame
  • Node-based material authoring on the GPUnot A-Frame

A-Frame

  • Virtual reality web experiencesnot 3D-Coat
  • Augmented reality applicationsnot 3D-Coat
  • 3D web visualisationsnot 3D-Coat
  • Interactive 3D content for web browsersnot 3D-Coat

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

3D-Coat

  • Split into separate products, so 3DCoatTextura covers texturing only and the full sculpting toolset needs the complete 3DCoat licence
  • Pricing is not published on the product pages
  • Licences are sold node-locked or floating, so moving a seat between machines depends on which was bought

A-Frame

  • Requires WebXR-capable browser; not supported on older browsers or devices without WebXR implementation

Pricing, plan by plan

3D-Coat

$29/month
  • Amateur$99/month
    • Non-commercial use
  • Professional$379/month
    • Full commercial license
  • Floating$568/month
    • Network licensing

A-Frame

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the A-Frame review.

Which should you pick?

Choose 3D-Coat if

  • You need voxel sculpting.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want surface sculpting.
3D-Coat review

Choose A-Frame if

  • You need declarative html.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web (via WebXR), VR headsets, AR-capable mobile devices.
  • You also want entity-component system.
A-Frame review

Questions people ask

Is 3D-Coat or A-Frame better?
Neither clearly leads. 3D-Coat starts at $29/month and A-Frame at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3D-Coat or A-Frame?
A-Frame has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for 3D-Coat and Free for A-Frame.
Does 3D-Coat or A-Frame run on more platforms?
3D-Coat runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. A-Frame runs on Web (via WebXR), VR headsets, AR-capable mobile devices.
Can I use A-Frame for free?
Yes. A-Frame has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. 3D-Coat starts at $29/month.
What is 3D-Coat best used for?
3D-Coat is most often used for voxel sculpting from a digital clay block, retopology of high-density sculpts into production meshes, uv mapping and pbr texturing, preparing print-ready models for 3d printing. Of those, voxel sculpting from a digital clay block and retopology of high-density sculpts into production meshes are not what A-Frame is typically brought in for.
What can 3D-Coat do that A-Frame cannot?
3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Surface sculpting, Retopology, UV mapping. A-Frame covers Declarative HTML, Entity-component system, WebXR support, Cross-platform.
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