Software · head to head
3D-Coat vs Shapr3D
The short version
- Only Shapr3D 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; Shapr3D the free Basic plan is limited to 2 projects
- They diverge on capability: 3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Shapr3D covers Direct modeling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which 3D-Coat and Shapr3D actually diverge.
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 Shapr3D
- Direct modeling
- Parametric history
- Visualization
- 2D drawings
- Apple Pencil support
- Import/export
- Annotations
- Fusion 360
Both cover
- Windows support
- MacOS 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 Shapr3D
- Retopology of high-density sculpts into production meshesnot Shapr3D
- UV mapping and PBR texturingnot Shapr3D
- Preparing print-ready models for 3D printingnot Shapr3D
- Node-based material authoring on the GPUnot Shapr3D
Shapr3D
- Direct modelling CAD on iPad with Apple Pencilnot 3D-Coat
- Producing manufacturable solid models and technical drawingsnot 3D-Coat
- Sharing CAD projects with collaborators on desktop and tabletnot 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
Shapr3D
- The free Basic plan is limited to 2 projects
- Free plan exports only basic resolution 3MF and STL, so no STEP or IGES output
- Free plan caps generative renders at 3 per day; Pro raises this to 50 per day and only Enterprise is unlimited
- Importing SLDPRT and SLDASM SolidWorks files requires Pro
- Importing NX, JT, CREO, Solid Edge and Rhino files requires Enterprise
- Exporting ACIS, FBX, Parasolid and PRC requires Enterprise
- On premises and single tenant data storage is Enterprise only
- Enterprise pricing is by quote with no published rate
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
Shapr3D
Free- FreeFree
- 2 active designs
- Basic features
- Pro$25/month
- Unlimited designs
- All export formats
- Business$199/month
- Team features
- Visualization
Which should you pick?
Choose 3D-Coat if
- You need voxel sculpting.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want surface sculpting.
Choose Shapr3D if
- You need direct modeling.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on IPadOS, MacOS, Windows.
- You also want parametric history.
Questions people ask
- Is 3D-Coat or Shapr3D better?
- Neither clearly leads. 3D-Coat starts at $29/month and Shapr3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, 3D-Coat or Shapr3D?
- Shapr3D has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for 3D-Coat and Free for Shapr3D.
- Does 3D-Coat or Shapr3D run on more platforms?
- 3D-Coat runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Shapr3D runs on IPadOS, MacOS, Windows.
- Can I use Shapr3D for free?
- Yes. Shapr3D 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 Shapr3D is typically brought in for.
- What can 3D-Coat do that Shapr3D cannot?
- 3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Surface sculpting, Retopology, UV mapping. Shapr3D covers Direct modeling, Parametric history, Visualization, 2D drawings. Both handle Windows support, MacOS support.
Related pages
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