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3D-Coat vs DragonBones

3D-Coat logo

3D-Coat

Software

Digital sculpting for game artists

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
D

DragonBones

Software

Free 2D skeletal animation solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only DragonBones 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; DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)
  • They diverge on capability: 3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, DragonBones covers Skeletal animation.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where 3D-Coat and DragonBones differ
Attribute3D-CoatDragonBones
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelone-timeopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxEgret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator
Founded20072014

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 DragonBones

  • Skeletal animation
  • Mesh deformation
  • IK system
  • Texture atlas
  • Animation blending
  • Bone constraints
  • FFD
  • Multi-resolution

Both cover

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

DragonBones

  • 2D skeletal animation for JavaScript and TypeScript game enginesnot 3D-Coat
  • Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot 3D-Coat
  • Animation creation with LoongBones editornot 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

DragonBones

  • JavaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)

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

DragonBones

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.

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 DragonBones if

  • You need skeletal animation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
  • You also want mesh deformation.
DragonBones review

Questions people ask

Is 3D-Coat or DragonBones better?
Neither clearly leads. 3D-Coat starts at $29/month and DragonBones at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3D-Coat or DragonBones?
DragonBones has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for 3D-Coat and Free for DragonBones.
Does 3D-Coat or DragonBones run on more platforms?
3D-Coat runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
Can I use DragonBones for free?
Yes. DragonBones 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 DragonBones is typically brought in for.
What can 3D-Coat do that DragonBones cannot?
3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Surface sculpting, Retopology, UV mapping. DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas. Both handle Unity, Windows support.
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