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Game Development · head to head

DragonBones vs Lumion

D

DragonBones

Game Development

Free 2D skeletal animation solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Lumion logo

Lumion

3D & CAD

Architectural visualization made easy

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only DragonBones has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator); Lumion enterprise tier is priced by quote only, labelled Let's talk in the vendor's own pricing data, alongside otherwise self-serve tiers with published dollar and pound figures
  • They diverge on capability: DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Lumion covers Real-time rendering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DragonBones and Lumion actually diverge.

Attributes where DragonBones and Lumion differ
AttributeDragonBonesLumion
Starting priceFree$29/month
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsEgret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos CreatorWindows
CategoryGame Development3D & CAD
Founded20141998

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 DragonBones

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

Only in Lumion

  • Real-time rendering
  • Content library
  • Effects
  • Video animation
  • VR export
  • LiveSync
  • Revit
  • SketchUp

Both cover

  • 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 Lumion
  • Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot Lumion
  • Animation creation with LoongBones editornot Lumion

Lumion

  • Architectural visualizationnot DragonBones
  • Client presentationsnot 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)

Lumion

  • Enterprise tier is priced by quote only, labelled Let's talk in the vendor's own pricing data, alongside otherwise self-serve tiers with published dollar and pound figures

Pricing, plan by plan

DragonBones

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.

Lumion

$29/month
  • Standard$1499/month
    • Core features
  • Pro$2999/month
    • Full features
    • More content

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.
DragonBones review

Choose Lumion if

  • You need real-time rendering.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want content library.
Lumion review

Questions people ask

Is DragonBones or Lumion better?
Neither clearly leads. DragonBones starts at Free and Lumion at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DragonBones or Lumion?
DragonBones has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for DragonBones and $29/month for Lumion.
Does DragonBones or Lumion run on more platforms?
DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator. Lumion runs on Windows.
Can I use DragonBones for free?
Yes. DragonBones has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Lumion starts at $29/month.
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 Lumion is typically brought in for.
What can DragonBones do that Lumion cannot?
DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas. Lumion covers Real-time rendering, Content library, Effects, Video animation. Both handle Windows support.
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