Softwr

CAD · head to head

3D-Coat vs ArchiCAD

3D-Coat logo

3D-Coat

CAD

Digital sculpting for game artists

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ArchiCAD logo

ArchiCAD

Construction

BIM software for architects

From
$177/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 3D-Coat specific pricing not disclosed on website; ArchiCAD available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support
  • They diverge on capability: 3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where 3D-Coat and ArchiCAD differ
Attribute3D-CoatArchiCAD
Starting price$29/month$177/month
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWindows, macOS
CategoryCADConstruction
Founded20071982

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 ArchiCAD

  • BIM modeling
  • Design tools
  • Documentation
  • Rendering
  • Energy analysis
  • IFC support
  • Teamwork collaboration
  • Library parts

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

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 ArchiCAD
  • Retopology of high-density sculpts into production meshesnot ArchiCAD
  • UV mapping and PBR texturingnot ArchiCAD
  • Preparing print-ready models for 3D printingnot ArchiCAD
  • Node-based material authoring on the GPUnot ArchiCAD

ArchiCAD

  • Architectural design with BIM capabilitiesnot 3D-Coat
  • Real-time team collaboration via BIMcloudnot 3D-Coat
  • Automated documentation generation from design changesnot 3D-Coat
  • Mixed Windows and macOS team environmentsnot 3D-Coat

Where each one falls short

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

3D-Coat

  • Specific pricing not disclosed on website
  • 3DCoatPrint free version limited to 40K triangles on export
  • Requires contacting sales or visiting store for pricing details

ArchiCAD

  • Available on Windows and macOS only, no native Linux support
  • Subscription-only licensing model with no perpetual licence option
  • Studio tier does not include MEP Designer - requires Collaborate tier at $208/month

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

ArchiCAD

$177/month
  • Archicad Studio$177/month
    • Archicad Windows & macOS
    • BIMx Pro
    • BIMcloud Basic
  • Archicad Collaborate$208/month
    • Archicad Windows & macOS
    • MEP Designer
    • BIMx Pro

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 ArchiCAD if

  • You need bim modeling.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want design tools.
ArchiCAD review

Questions people ask

Is 3D-Coat or ArchiCAD better?
Neither clearly leads. 3D-Coat starts at $29/month and ArchiCAD at $177/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3D-Coat or ArchiCAD?
3D-Coat starts at $29/month and ArchiCAD at $177/month.
Does 3D-Coat or ArchiCAD run on more platforms?
3D-Coat runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. ArchiCAD runs on Windows, macOS.
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 ArchiCAD is typically brought in for.
What can 3D-Coat do that ArchiCAD cannot?
3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Surface sculpting, Retopology, UV mapping. ArchiCAD covers BIM modeling, Design tools, Documentation, Rendering. Both handle Windows support, MacOS support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

3D-Coat: Is there a free version of 3D Coat?

Yes, 3D Coat offers multiple free options. 3DCoatPrint is a special free version designed for 3D print-ready models, limited to 40K triangles on export. Additionally, a 30-day unlimited trial is available for the full version.

Source
ArchiCAD: What is the cost of Archicad's subscription plans?

Archicad Studio starts at $177/month or $2,123 upfront annually. Archicad Collaborate, the most popular tier, is $208/month or $2,497 upfront annually. Both include local and cloud teamworking capabilities.

Source
3D-Coat: What is the 30-day trial period for 3D Coat?

3D Coat provides a 30-day trial with unlimited learning resources. The trial grants full access to all tools needed to create production-ready, fully textured 3D models.

Source
ArchiCAD: What is the difference between Archicad Studio and Archicad Collaborate?

Studio includes architectural modeling and BIMcloud Basic for local teamwork. Collaborate adds MEP Designer for MEP modeling and BIMcloud SaaS for cloud-based global teamwork, and costs $31 more per month.

Source
3D-Coat: Does 3D Coat offer specialized versions?

Yes, 3D Coat offers 3DCoatTextura as a specialized version focused on texturing and rendering at a more affordable price than the full 3DCoat version.

Source
ArchiCAD: Is Archicad free for students?

Yes, Archicad offers free educational licenses for students, educators, and academic institutions. Archicad Studio is available free for 30 days as a trial.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on 3D-Coat

More on ArchiCAD

Keep looking

Other head to heads