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DragonBones vs Gravity Sketch

D

DragonBones

Software

Free 2D skeletal animation solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Gravity Sketch logo

Gravity Sketch

Software

VR 3D design tool

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator); Gravity Sketch free plan limited to 150MB cloud storage and 3 simultaneous users per room
  • They diverge on capability: DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Gravity Sketch covers VR design.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DragonBones and Gravity Sketch actually diverge.

Attributes where DragonBones and Gravity Sketch differ
AttributeDragonBonesGravity Sketch
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
PlatformsEgret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos CreatorVR (Meta Quest, Steam, Web)

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2014).

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 DragonBones

  • Skeletal animation
  • Mesh deformation
  • IK system
  • Texture atlas
  • Animation blending
  • Bone constraints
  • FFD
  • Multi-resolution

Only in Gravity Sketch

  • VR design
  • Desktop app
  • Surface modeling
  • Collaboration
  • Import/export
  • Presentation mode
  • Rhino
  • Alias

Both cover

  • Unity
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

DragonBones

  • 2D skeletal animation for JavaScript and TypeScript game enginesnot Gravity Sketch
  • Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot Gravity Sketch
  • Animation creation with LoongBones editornot Gravity Sketch

Gravity Sketch

  • Spatial 3D design and conceptualisation in VRnot DragonBones
  • Collaborative product design sessionsnot DragonBones
  • Conceptual model generationnot DragonBones
  • Engineering and design team collaboration in immersive environmentnot DragonBones

Where each one falls short

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

DragonBones

  • JavaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)

Gravity Sketch

  • Free plan limited to 150MB cloud storage and 3 simultaneous users per room
  • File format support limited to OBJ and STL on free plan; other formats require paid plan
  • Evaluation tools (surface contours, viewpoints, section tool) not available on free tier
  • VR access requires Meta Quest, Steam, or web app; limited to specific platforms
  • Data localisation only available on Enterprise plan

Pricing, plan by plan

DragonBones

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.

Gravity Sketch

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Gravity Sketch review.

Which should you pick?

Choose DragonBones if

  • You need skeletal animation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
  • You also want mesh deformation.

Choose Gravity Sketch if

  • You need vr design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on VR (Meta Quest, Steam, Web).
  • You also want desktop app.

Questions people ask

Is DragonBones or Gravity Sketch better?
Neither clearly leads. DragonBones starts at Free and Gravity Sketch at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DragonBones or Gravity Sketch?
DragonBones starts at Free and Gravity Sketch at Free.
Does DragonBones or Gravity Sketch run on more platforms?
DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator. Gravity Sketch runs on VR (Meta Quest, Steam, Web).
Can I use DragonBones for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is DragonBones best used for?
DragonBones is most often used for 2d skeletal animation for javascript and typescript game engines, cross-engine animation library for indie game development, animation creation with loongbones editor. Of those, 2d skeletal animation for javascript and typescript game engines and cross-engine animation library for indie game development are not what Gravity Sketch is typically brought in for.
What can DragonBones do that Gravity Sketch cannot?
DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas. Gravity Sketch covers VR design, Desktop app, Surface modeling, Collaboration. Both handle Unity, Windows support.

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