CAD · head to head
Arnold vs TrakSYS
TrakSYS
Manufacturing
Manufacturing execution and plant performance platform
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Arnold the Internet Archive's capture of Autodesk's Arnold overview page on 30 December 2022 stated a subscription can be installed on up to 3 computers or devices, though only the named user may run it on one machine at a time, and includes access to the 3 previous major versions.; TrakSYS configuration is the implementation, so deployment is a project measured in months and needs a partner or trained staff
- They diverge on capability: Arnold covers Ray tracing, TrakSYS covers Real-time production tracking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Arnold and TrakSYS actually diverge.
Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Arnold
- Ray tracing
- GPU rendering
- Production shading
- OSL
- Denoising
- Maya
- 3ds Max
- Cinema 4D
Only in TrakSYS
- Real-time production tracking
- OEE and downtime analysis
- Configurable workflows
- Quality management
- Equipment connectivity
- Reporting
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Arnold
- Film productionnot TrakSYS
- Animationnot TrakSYS
- VFXnot TrakSYS
TrakSYS
- Plants whose processes do not fit a packaged MESnot Arnold
- Attributing downtime to cause rather than reporting an aggregatenot Arnold
- Regulated production needing enforced in-process quality checksnot Arnold
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Arnold
- The Internet Archive's capture of Autodesk's Arnold overview page on 30 December 2022 stated a subscription can be installed on up to 3 computers or devices, though only the named user may run it on one machine at a time, and includes access to the 3 previous major versions.
TrakSYS
- Configuration is the implementation, so deployment is a project measured in months and needs a partner or trained staff
- Quote-only pricing with no published rates
- Flexibility means two TrakSYS installations can look nothing alike, which makes hiring for it harder
- Considerable overkill for a small plant tracking output in a spreadsheet
Pricing, plan by plan
Arnold
$29/month- Arnold$360/month
- Standalone renderer
TrakSYS
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the TrakSYS review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Arnold if
- You need ray tracing.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want gpu rendering.
Choose TrakSYS if
- You need real-time production tracking.
- You work on Windows, Web, Self-hosted.
- You also want oee and downtime analysis.
Questions people ask
- Is Arnold or TrakSYS better?
- Neither clearly leads. Arnold starts at $29/month and TrakSYS at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Arnold or TrakSYS?
- Arnold starts at $29/month and TrakSYS at On request.
- Does Arnold or TrakSYS run on more platforms?
- Arnold runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. TrakSYS runs on Windows, Web, Self-hosted.
- What is Arnold best used for?
- Arnold is most often used for film production, animation, vfx. Of those, film production and animation are not what TrakSYS is typically brought in for.
- What can Arnold do that TrakSYS cannot?
- Arnold covers Ray tracing, GPU rendering, Production shading, OSL. TrakSYS covers Real-time production tracking, OEE and downtime analysis, Configurable workflows, Quality management.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Arnold: How much does Autodesk Arnold cost?
Autodesk Arnold pricing is not published on the vendor website. Arnold is available through Autodesk subscription plans or standalone licensing. Customers should contact Autodesk directly for pricing quotes.
SourceTrakSYS: What does TrakSYS cost?
Quoted per site and not published; implementation is normally a substantial part of the total.
Arnold: Is Arnold free for educational use?
Yes, Autodesk provides free educational licenses for Arnold to students and educators. Educational access allows learning of professional rendering capabilities at no cost.
SourceTrakSYS: Is it a product or a platform?
A platform. Screens and workflows are configured for the plant, which is why it fits unusual processes and why deployment is a project.
Arnold: What does Arnold render?
Autodesk Arnold is an industry-standard photorealistic rendering engine used for visual effects, animation, and design visualization. It supports GPU and CPU rendering with advanced features for film, television, and product design.
SourceTrakSYS: When is it the wrong choice?
When a packaged MES fits your process, or when the plant is small enough that the configuration effort outweighs the gain.
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