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A-Frame vs Substance 3D Painter

A-Frame logo

A-Frame

Software

Web framework for building VR experiences

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Substance 3D Painter logo

Substance 3D Painter

Software

3D texture painting software

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only A-Frame has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: A-Frame requires WebXR-capable browser; not supported on older browsers or devices without WebXR implementation; Substance 3D Painter the Internet Archive's capture of Adobe's Substance 3D Painter page on 23 June 2021 priced the Substance 3D Collection plan (which bundles Painter, Stager, Sampler, Designer and Modeler) at US$39.99/month for the first year.
  • They diverge on capability: A-Frame covers Declarative HTML, Substance 3D Painter covers 3D painting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which A-Frame and Substance 3D Painter actually diverge.

Attributes where A-Frame and Substance 3D Painter differ
AttributeA-FrameSubstance 3D Painter
Starting priceFree$29/month
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb (via WebXR), VR headsets, AR-capable mobile devicesWindows, MacOS, Linux
Founded20151982

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 A-Frame

  • Declarative HTML
  • Entity-component system
  • WebXR support
  • Cross-platform
  • Three.js
  • AR.js
  • Physics engines
  • Networking

Only in Substance 3D Painter

  • 3D painting
  • Smart materials
  • Generators
  • PBR workflow
  • Baking
  • Export presets
  • Scripting
  • Maya

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

A-Frame

  • Virtual reality web experiencesnot Substance 3D Painter
  • Augmented reality applicationsnot Substance 3D Painter
  • 3D web visualisationsnot Substance 3D Painter
  • Interactive 3D content for web browsersnot Substance 3D Painter

Substance 3D Painter

  • Game texturingnot A-Frame
  • Film assetsnot A-Frame
  • Product visualizationnot A-Frame

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

A-Frame

  • Requires WebXR-capable browser; not supported on older browsers or devices without WebXR implementation

Substance 3D Painter

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Adobe's Substance 3D Painter page on 23 June 2021 priced the Substance 3D Collection plan (which bundles Painter, Stager, Sampler, Designer and Modeler) at US$39.99/month for the first year.

Pricing, plan by plan

A-Frame

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the A-Frame review.

Substance 3D Painter

$29/month
  • Substance 3D Texturing$19.99/month
    • Painter + Sampler
  • Substance 3D Collection$49.99/month
    • All Substance apps

Which should you pick?

Choose A-Frame if

  • You need declarative html.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web (via WebXR), VR headsets, AR-capable mobile devices.
  • You also want entity-component system.
A-Frame review

Choose Substance 3D Painter if

  • You need 3d painting.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want smart materials.
Substance 3D Painter review

Questions people ask

Is A-Frame or Substance 3D Painter better?
Neither clearly leads. A-Frame starts at Free and Substance 3D Painter at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, A-Frame or Substance 3D Painter?
A-Frame has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for A-Frame and $29/month for Substance 3D Painter.
Does A-Frame or Substance 3D Painter run on more platforms?
A-Frame runs on Web (via WebXR), VR headsets, AR-capable mobile devices. Substance 3D Painter runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
Can I use A-Frame for free?
Yes. A-Frame has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Substance 3D Painter starts at $29/month.
What is A-Frame best used for?
A-Frame is most often used for virtual reality web experiences, augmented reality applications, 3d web visualisations, interactive 3d content for web browsers. Of those, virtual reality web experiences and augmented reality applications are not what Substance 3D Painter is typically brought in for.
What can A-Frame do that Substance 3D Painter cannot?
A-Frame covers Declarative HTML, Entity-component system, WebXR support, Cross-platform. Substance 3D Painter covers 3D painting, Smart materials, Generators, PBR workflow.
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