Softwr

CAD · head to head

3D-Coat vs e-Builder

3D-Coat logo

3D-Coat

CAD

Digital sculpting for game artists

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
e-Builder logo

e-Builder

Construction

Construction project management and accounting software

From
$400/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 3D-Coat specific pricing not disclosed on website; e-Builder product was rebranded to Trimble Unity Construct and no pricing figures are published on the current product page, only a compare plans link
  • They diverge on capability: 3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, e-Builder covers Project management.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where 3D-Coat and e-Builder differ
Attribute3D-Coate-Builder
Starting price$29/month$400/month
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryCADConstruction
Founded20072002

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 e-Builder

  • Project management
  • Document control
  • Accounting
  • RFI management
  • Collaboration
  • QuickBooks
  • Sage
  • Microsoft 365

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

e-Builder

  • Project managementnot 3D-Coat
  • Document controlnot 3D-Coat
  • Financial managementnot 3D-Coat
  • Collaborationnot 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

e-Builder

  • Product was rebranded to Trimble Unity Construct and no pricing figures are published on the current product page, only a compare plans link

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

e-Builder

$400/month
  • Professional$400/month
    • Project management
    • Document control
    • Accounting
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Advanced reporting
    • Custom workflows
    • API access

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 e-Builder if

  • You need project management.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want document control.
e-Builder review

Questions people ask

Is 3D-Coat or e-Builder better?
Neither clearly leads. 3D-Coat starts at $29/month and e-Builder at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3D-Coat or e-Builder?
3D-Coat starts at $29/month and e-Builder at $400/month.
Does 3D-Coat or e-Builder run on more platforms?
3D-Coat runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. e-Builder runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 e-Builder is typically brought in for.
What can 3D-Coat do that e-Builder cannot?
3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Surface sculpting, Retopology, UV mapping. e-Builder covers Project management, Document control, Accounting, RFI management.

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
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
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
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