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AppGameKit vs Substance 3D Painter

AppGameKit logo

AppGameKit

Software

Create cross-platform 2D games and apps

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 AppGameKit has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: AppGameKit exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target; 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: AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Substance 3D Painter covers 3D painting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AppGameKit and Substance 3D Painter actually diverge.

Attributes where AppGameKit and Substance 3D Painter differ
AttributeAppGameKitSubstance 3D Painter
Starting priceFree$29/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, TvosWindows, MacOS, Linux
Founded20041982

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 AppGameKit

  • BASIC-like scripting
  • Visual sprite editor
  • Physics engine
  • Sound and music
  • Particle effects
  • Tile support
  • Multi-platform export
  • Built-in debugger

Only in Substance 3D Painter

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

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

AppGameKit

  • 2D and 3D game development from a single codebasenot Substance 3D Painter
  • Cross-platform mobile game builds for iOS and Androidnot Substance 3D Painter
  • Learning game programming in a BASIC-derived languagenot Substance 3D Painter
  • Prototyping small games quicklynot Substance 3D Painter

Substance 3D Painter

  • Game texturingnot AppGameKit
  • Film assetsnot AppGameKit
  • Product visualizationnot AppGameKit

Where each one falls short

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

AppGameKit

  • Exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target
  • The price is not shown on the product page and the product is sold through Steam
  • The vendor describes it as their last outing for traditional programming languages before AI-driven development, which is a poor signal for long-term support
  • appgamekit.com now redirects into the darkbasic.com site

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

AppGameKit

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full editor
    • Multi-platform export
    • Built-in IDE

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 AppGameKit if

  • You need basic-like scripting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos.
  • You also want visual sprite editor.
AppGameKit 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 AppGameKit or Substance 3D Painter better?
Neither clearly leads. AppGameKit 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, AppGameKit or Substance 3D Painter?
AppGameKit has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for AppGameKit and $29/month for Substance 3D Painter.
Does AppGameKit or Substance 3D Painter run on more platforms?
AppGameKit runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos. Substance 3D Painter runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
Can I use AppGameKit for free?
Yes. AppGameKit has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Substance 3D Painter starts at $29/month.
What is AppGameKit best used for?
AppGameKit is most often used for 2d and 3d game development from a single codebase, cross-platform mobile game builds for ios and android, learning game programming in a basic-derived language, prototyping small games quickly. Of those, 2d and 3d game development from a single codebase and cross-platform mobile game builds for ios and android are not what Substance 3D Painter is typically brought in for.
What can AppGameKit do that Substance 3D Painter cannot?
AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Visual sprite editor, Physics engine, Sound and music. Substance 3D Painter covers 3D painting, Smart materials, Generators, PBR workflow. Both handle Windows support, Linux support.
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