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CAD · head to head

3D-Coat vs Buildxact

3D-Coat logo

3D-Coat

CAD

Digital sculpting for game artists

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Buildxact logo

Buildxact

Construction

Estimating and construction management for builders, remodelers and material dealers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Buildxact has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 3D-Coat specific pricing not disclosed on website; Buildxact 15% discount applied only to annual billing

Where they differ

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

Attributes where 3D-Coat and Buildxact differ
Attribute3D-CoatBuildxact
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWeb
CategoryCADConstruction
Founded2007Unknown

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 Buildxact

Nothing recorded that 3D-Coat does not also cover.

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

Buildxact

  • Reducing estimation time from 30-40 hoursnot 3D-Coat
  • Managing projects from lead to invoicenot 3D-Coat
  • Generating estimates with digital signaturesnot 3D-Coat
  • Integrating material dealers into workflownot 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

Buildxact

  • 15% discount applied only to annual billing
  • Advanced AI add-ons require additional per-month fees

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

Buildxact

Free
  • GoFree
    • 5 complimentary credits
    • AI Estimating
    • Professional Proposals
  • Foundation$199/month
    • Unlimited users
    • Lead management
    • Digital takeoffs
  • Pro$399/month
    • All Foundation features
    • Blu Estimate Generator
    • Job management
  • Master$599/month
    • All Pro features
    • Blu Takeoff Assistant
    • Blu Estimate Reviewer

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 Buildxact if

  • You want to start without paying.
Buildxact review

Questions people ask

Is 3D-Coat or Buildxact better?
Neither clearly leads. 3D-Coat starts at $29/month and Buildxact at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3D-Coat or Buildxact?
Buildxact has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for 3D-Coat and Free for Buildxact.
Does 3D-Coat or Buildxact run on more platforms?
3D-Coat runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Buildxact runs on Web.
Can I use Buildxact for free?
Yes. Buildxact 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 Buildxact is typically brought in for.
What can 3D-Coat do that Buildxact cannot?
3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Surface sculpting, Retopology, UV mapping.

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
Buildxact: Does Buildxact offer a free tier?

Yes, Buildxact's Go plan is free and includes 5 complimentary credits for AI Estimating and Professional Proposals, plus access to Home Depot Material Ordering.

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
Buildxact: What is the price difference between monthly and annual billing?

Annual plans include a 15% discount. For example, Foundation costs $199/month on monthly billing but $169/month ($2,030/year) on annual billing, saving $358 per year.

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
Buildxact: How many users can access Buildxact?

Foundation, Pro, and Master plans include unlimited users. The free Go plan does not specify user limits.

Source
Buildxact: What add-on costs are available?

Additional AI tools cost $99/month for Blu Takeoff Assistant and $149/month for Blu Estimate Reviewer, available on Pro and Master plans.

Source
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