Software · head to head
3D-Coat vs DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve
Software
Professional video editing, color correction, visual effects and audio post production
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only DaVinci Resolve 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; DaVinci Resolve free version limits noise reduction to CPU-only processing, significantly slower than Studio's GPU acceleration
- They diverge on capability: 3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, DaVinci Resolve covers Multi-user collaboration.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which 3D-Coat and DaVinci Resolve actually diverge.
| Attribute | 3D-Coat | DaVinci Resolve |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $29/month | Free |
| Pricing model | one-time | Unknown |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Founded | 2007 | 2008 |
Identical on both: platforms (Windows, MacOS, Linux), 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 DaVinci Resolve
- Multi-user collaboration
- 8K editing
- Color correction
- Visual effects
- Motion graphics
- Audio post production
- Fairlight audio
- Fusion VFX
Both cover
- Windows support
- Linux 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 DaVinci Resolve
- Retopology of high-density sculpts into production meshesnot DaVinci Resolve
- UV mapping and PBR texturingnot DaVinci Resolve
- Preparing print-ready models for 3D printingnot DaVinci Resolve
- Node-based material authoring on the GPUnot DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve
- Professional video editingnot 3D-Coat
- Color gradingnot 3D-Coat
- Visual effectsnot 3D-Coat
- Audio post productionnot 3D-Coat
- Film productionnot 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
DaVinci Resolve
- Free version limits noise reduction to CPU-only processing, significantly slower than Studio's GPU acceleration
- Free version caps export resolution at 4K without 8K support
- No multi-GPU support in free version, limiting rendering speed on powerful workstations
- AI tools and features like Super Scale AI only available in $295 Studio version
- Users report random issues requiring restart suggesting architectural stability concerns
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
DaVinci Resolve
Free- FreeFree
- Professional editing tools
- Color correction
- Visual effects
- Studio$295/one-time
- All free features
- AI tools and Super Scale AI
- 8K editing support
Which should you pick?
Choose 3D-Coat if
- You need voxel sculpting.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want surface sculpting.
Choose DaVinci Resolve if
- You need multi-user collaboration.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
- You also want 8k editing.
Questions people ask
- Is 3D-Coat or DaVinci Resolve better?
- Neither clearly leads. 3D-Coat starts at $29/month and DaVinci Resolve at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, 3D-Coat or DaVinci Resolve?
- DaVinci Resolve has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for 3D-Coat and Free for DaVinci Resolve.
- Does 3D-Coat or DaVinci Resolve run on more platforms?
- 3D-Coat runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. DaVinci Resolve runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Can I use DaVinci Resolve for free?
- Yes. DaVinci Resolve 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 DaVinci Resolve is typically brought in for.
- What can 3D-Coat do that DaVinci Resolve cannot?
- 3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Surface sculpting, Retopology, UV mapping. DaVinci Resolve covers Multi-user collaboration, 8K editing, Color correction, Visual effects. Both handle Windows support, Linux support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
DaVinci Resolve: What is the pricing for DaVinci Resolve?
DaVinci Resolve has a completely free version with professional editing tools and no watermark. DaVinci Resolve Studio adds AI-powered features, 8K support, and multi-user collaboration as a one-time $295 purchase.
SourceDaVinci Resolve: What features are only in DaVinci Resolve Studio?
Studio version adds AI tools like Super Scale AI, noise reduction with GPU acceleration, 8K editing support, HDR color grading, multi-user collaboration, and advanced codec support.
SourceDaVinci Resolve: What are the hardware requirements for DaVinci Resolve?
For optimal performance with modern RAW footage, an NVMe SSD is required for cache and scratch files. Multi-GPU configurations benefit only specific effects workloads, while most users achieve better performance with a single high-VRAM GPU.
SourceRelated pages
More on DaVinci Resolve
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