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3D-Coat vs CryEngine

3D-Coat logo

3D-Coat

Software

Digital sculpting for game artists

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
CryEngine logo

CryEngine

Software

Build worlds, break limits. Professional game development engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only CryEngine 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; CryEngine a royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE
  • They diverge on capability: 3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, CryEngine covers Advanced graphics.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where 3D-Coat and CryEngine differ
Attribute3D-CoatCryEngine
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelone-timefree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWindows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux
Founded20071999

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

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 CryEngine

  • Advanced graphics
  • Physics engine
  • AI system
  • Animation tools
  • Flow Graph visual scripting
  • C++ and Lua support
  • Entity component system
  • Sandbox editor

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

CryEngine

  • Building photorealistic first person and open world games with real time global illuminationnot 3D-Coat
  • Developing with full engine source code accessnot 3D-Coat
  • Sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get exportnot 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

CryEngine

  • A royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE
  • Royalties are waived only on the first USD 5,000.00 of Gross Receipts per year per game
  • Royalties are calculated at source on gross receipts before any publisher or platform deductions, so a developer receiving 70% of USD 100,000 still owes USD 4,750
  • Military projects, gambling, simulation, science, architecture and serious games are excluded from the standard licence and are not covered as Games
  • The licence forbids combining CRYENGINE with code from other game engine providers
  • Supported platforms are limited to those Crytek announces at its sole discretion, listed in the agreement as Windows, Linux, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
  • Support is only provided against payment of a separate Support Fee that Crytek may change at its sole discretion
  • Crytek may modify the licence agreement at any time, with the only remedy for disagreement being to stop using CRYENGINE

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

CryEngine

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine access
    • Source code
    • Asset library

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 CryEngine if

  • You need advanced graphics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
  • You also want physics engine.
CryEngine review

Questions people ask

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