Software · head to head
3D-Coat vs Vectorworks
The short version
- 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; Vectorworks the Internet Archive's capture of Vectorworks' products page on 12 December 2019 named seven distinct editions and add-on modules, Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Fundamentals, Designer, Vision, and the Braceworks/ConnectCAD add-ons, each with its own 'Buy Now' link, but no price figure appeared on the page itself.
- They diverge on capability: 3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Vectorworks covers BIM modeling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which 3D-Coat and Vectorworks actually diverge.
| Attribute | 3D-Coat | Vectorworks |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | one-time | subscription |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux | Windows, MacOS |
| Founded | 2007 | 1985 |
Identical on both: starting price ($29/month), free tier (No), 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 Vectorworks
- BIM modeling
- 2D/3D design
- Documentation
- Rendering
- GIS integration
- Entertainment design
- Landscape tools
- Lumion
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 Vectorworks
- Retopology of high-density sculpts into production meshesnot Vectorworks
- UV mapping and PBR texturingnot Vectorworks
- Preparing print-ready models for 3D printingnot Vectorworks
- Node-based material authoring on the GPUnot Vectorworks
Vectorworks
- Building designnot 3D-Coat
- Landscape designnot 3D-Coat
- Stage designnot 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
Vectorworks
- The Internet Archive's capture of Vectorworks' products page on 12 December 2019 named seven distinct editions and add-on modules, Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Fundamentals, Designer, Vision, and the Braceworks/ConnectCAD add-ons, each with its own 'Buy Now' link, but no price figure appeared on the page itself.
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
Vectorworks
$29/month- Architect$2495/month
- BIM
- Architecture tools
- Landmark$2495/month
- Landscape design
- GIS
- Design Suite$3295/month
- All modules combined
Which should you pick?
Choose 3D-Coat if
- You need voxel sculpting.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want surface sculpting.
Choose Vectorworks if
- You need bim modeling.
- You work on Windows, MacOS.
- You also want 2d/3d design.
Questions people ask
- Is 3D-Coat or Vectorworks better?
- Neither clearly leads. 3D-Coat starts at $29/month and Vectorworks at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, 3D-Coat or Vectorworks?
- 3D-Coat starts at $29/month and Vectorworks at $29/month.
- Does 3D-Coat or Vectorworks run on more platforms?
- 3D-Coat runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Vectorworks runs on Windows, MacOS.
- 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 Vectorworks is typically brought in for.
- What can 3D-Coat do that Vectorworks cannot?
- 3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Surface sculpting, Retopology, UV mapping. Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, 2D/3D design, Documentation, Rendering. Both handle Windows support, MacOS support.
Related pages
More on Vectorworks
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