Softwr

3D & CAD · head to head

3D-Coat vs Clip Studio Paint

3D-Coat logo

3D-Coat

3D & CAD

Digital sculpting for game artists

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Clip Studio Paint logo

Clip Studio Paint

Animation

Professional illustration and animation software

From
$4.49/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; Clip Studio Paint monthly subscription pricing becomes expensive over multiple years compared to one-time licenses
  • They diverge on capability: 3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Clip Studio Paint covers Natural drawing feel.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3D-Coat and Clip Studio Paint actually diverge.

Attributes where 3D-Coat and Clip Studio Paint differ
Attribute3D-CoatClip Studio Paint
Starting price$29/month$4.49/month
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, iPad
Category3D & CADAnimation
Founded20071991

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 Clip Studio Paint

  • Natural drawing feel
  • Comic/manga tools
  • Animation features
  • 3D reference
  • Vector support
  • Photoshop files
  • 3D models
  • Graphics tablets

Both cover

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

Clip Studio Paint

  • Manga creationnot 3D-Coat
  • Comic illustrationnot 3D-Coat
  • 2D animationnot 3D-Coat
  • Character designnot 3D-Coat
  • Digital paintingnot 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

Clip Studio Paint

  • Monthly subscription pricing becomes expensive over multiple years compared to one-time licenses
  • Limited built-in photo manipulation features compared to general-purpose image editors

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

Clip Studio Paint

$4.49/month
  • PRO Perpetual License$54/one-time
    • Full brush engine
    • 3D model integration
    • Basic animation (24 frames)
  • PRO Monthly Subscription$4.49/month
    • All PRO features
    • Desktop and mobile access
    • Continuous updates
  • PRO Annual Subscription$26.99/year
    • All PRO features
    • Desktop and mobile access
    • Continuous updates
  • EX Perpetual License$237/one-time
    • All PRO features
    • Unlimited animation frames
    • Multi-page management

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 Clip Studio Paint if

  • You need natural drawing feel.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, iPad.
  • You also want comic/manga tools.
Clip Studio Paint review

Questions people ask

Is 3D-Coat or Clip Studio Paint better?
Neither clearly leads. 3D-Coat starts at $29/month and Clip Studio Paint at $4.49/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3D-Coat or Clip Studio Paint?
3D-Coat starts at $29/month and Clip Studio Paint at $4.49/month.
Does 3D-Coat or Clip Studio Paint run on more platforms?
3D-Coat runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Clip Studio Paint runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, iPad.
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 Clip Studio Paint is typically brought in for.
What can 3D-Coat do that Clip Studio Paint cannot?
3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Surface sculpting, Retopology, UV mapping. Clip Studio Paint covers Natural drawing feel, Comic/manga tools, Animation features, 3D reference. Both handle Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Clip Studio Paint: What are the differences between Clip Studio Paint PRO and EX?

PRO includes basic animation (24 frame limit) and is best for digital painting. EX includes unlimited animation frames, multi-page management for publishing, LT conversion, and professional animation timelines.

Source
Clip Studio Paint: Can I use Clip Studio Paint on mobile?

Yes. Clip Studio Paint offers monthly and annual plans that cover both desktop and mobile access. Desktop-only perpetual licenses are available but do not include mobile access.

Source
Clip Studio Paint: What payment options does Clip Studio Paint offer?

Clip Studio Paint offers one-time perpetual licenses for desktop ($54 PRO, $237 EX), monthly subscriptions ($4.49 PRO, $9.99 EX), and annual subscriptions ($26.99 PRO, $75.99 EX) that include mobile access.

Source
Clip Studio Paint: Does Clip Studio Paint include 3D model integration?

Yes. Both PRO and EX versions include 3D model integration for digital artists to use as reference or directly in compositions.

Source
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on 3D-Coat

More on Clip Studio Paint

Keep looking

Other head to heads