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3D & CAD · head to head

Alibre Design vs GameMaker Studio 2

Alibre Design logo

Alibre Design

3D & CAD

Affordable professional CAD

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GameMaker Studio 2 logo

GameMaker Studio 2

Game Development

The fastest way to create games. For everyone.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only GameMaker Studio 2 has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Alibre Design perpetual licences do not include updates; maintenance is a separate yearly plan starting at $50 per year for CAD support and updates; GameMaker Studio 2 the free tier is a non-commercial licence; selling a game requires the Professional licence at $99.99
  • They diverge on capability: Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Alibre Design and GameMaker Studio 2 actually diverge.

Attributes where Alibre Design and GameMaker Studio 2 differ
AttributeAlibre DesignGameMaker Studio 2
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelone-timefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindowsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch
Category3D & CADGame Development
Founded19971999

Identical on both: 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 Alibre Design

  • Parametric modeling
  • Assemblies
  • Sheet metal
  • 2D drawings
  • BOM
  • Rendering
  • CAM software
  • PDM

Only in GameMaker Studio 2

  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • GML programming language
  • Sprite editor
  • Animation frames
  • Sound editor
  • Room editor
  • Particle effects
  • Physics system

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Alibre Design

  • Parametric 3D solid modelling for mechanical partsnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Producing 2D manufacturing drawings from 3D modelsnot GameMaker Studio 2
  • Designing parts for 3D printing and small shop machiningnot GameMaker Studio 2

GameMaker Studio 2

  • Building 2D games for desktop, web and mobilenot Alibre Design
  • Indie game development with a drag and drop and GML scripting workflownot Alibre Design
  • Publishing to consoles under an Enterprise subscriptionnot Alibre Design

Where each one falls short

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

Alibre Design

  • Perpetual licences do not include updates; maintenance is a separate yearly plan starting at $50 per year for CAD support and updates
  • Sheet metal, PDM data management and rendering are Design Expert only at $1,999
  • Scripting is excluded from the $199 Atom3D edition
  • CAM capability is sold as separate EZ-Mill, EZ-Turn and EZ-EDM products costing up to $2,999
  • A dedicated account manager is excluded from Atom3D

GameMaker Studio 2

  • The free tier is a non-commercial licence; selling a game requires the Professional licence at $99.99
  • Console exports are available only on the Enterprise subscription, which is billed at $79.49 per month
  • Source code access is limited to the Enterprise tier
  • Older Creator and Indie subscriptions are no longer renewed when the licence expires
  • Owners of a permanent GameMaker Studio 2 licence get no discount toward current licences

Pricing, plan by plan

Alibre Design

$29/month
  • Atom3D$199/month
    • Basic modeling
  • Design$999/month
    • Professional CAD
  • Expert$1999/month
    • Full features

GameMaker Studio 2

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Desktop game creation
    • Community support
    • Standard export options
  • Pro$99/year
    • All Free features
    • Advanced export modules
    • Mobile platforms

Which should you pick?

Choose Alibre Design if

  • You need parametric modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want assemblies.
Alibre Design review

Choose GameMaker Studio 2 if

  • You need drag-and-drop interface.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
  • You also want gml programming language.
GameMaker Studio 2 review

Questions people ask

Is Alibre Design or GameMaker Studio 2 better?
Neither clearly leads. Alibre Design starts at $29/month and GameMaker Studio 2 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Alibre Design or GameMaker Studio 2?
GameMaker Studio 2 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for Alibre Design and Free for GameMaker Studio 2.
Does Alibre Design or GameMaker Studio 2 run on more platforms?
Alibre Design runs on Windows. GameMaker Studio 2 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
Can I use GameMaker Studio 2 for free?
Yes. GameMaker Studio 2 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Alibre Design starts at $29/month.
What is Alibre Design best used for?
Alibre Design is most often used for parametric 3d solid modelling for mechanical parts, producing 2d manufacturing drawings from 3d models, designing parts for 3d printing and small shop machining. Of those, parametric 3d solid modelling for mechanical parts and producing 2d manufacturing drawings from 3d models are not what GameMaker Studio 2 is typically brought in for.
What can Alibre Design do that GameMaker Studio 2 cannot?
Alibre Design covers Parametric modeling, Assemblies, Sheet metal, 2D drawings. GameMaker Studio 2 covers Drag-and-drop interface, GML programming language, Sprite editor, Animation frames. Both handle Windows support.
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