Software · head to head
DragonBones vs Substance 3D Painter
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); 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: DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Substance 3D Painter covers 3D painting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which DragonBones and Substance 3D Painter actually diverge.
| Attribute | DragonBones | Substance 3D Painter |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $29/month |
| Pricing model | open-source | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator | Windows, MacOS, Linux |
| Founded | 2014 | 1982 |
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 DragonBones
- Skeletal animation
- Mesh deformation
- IK system
- Texture atlas
- Animation blending
- Bone constraints
- FFD
- Multi-resolution
Only in Substance 3D Painter
- 3D painting
- Smart materials
- Generators
- PBR workflow
- Baking
- Export presets
- Scripting
- Maya
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 Substance 3D Painter
- Cross-engine animation library for indie game developmentnot Substance 3D Painter
- Animation creation with LoongBones editornot Substance 3D Painter
Substance 3D Painter
- Game texturingnot DragonBones
- Film assetsnot DragonBones
- Product visualizationnot 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)
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
DragonBones
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.
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 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 Substance 3D Painter if
- You need 3d painting.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want smart materials.
Questions people ask
- Is DragonBones or Substance 3D Painter better?
- Neither clearly leads. DragonBones 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, DragonBones or Substance 3D Painter?
- DragonBones has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for DragonBones and $29/month for Substance 3D Painter.
- Does DragonBones or Substance 3D Painter run on more platforms?
- DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator. Substance 3D Painter runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- Can I use DragonBones for free?
- Yes. DragonBones has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Substance 3D Painter 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 Substance 3D Painter is typically brought in for.
- What can DragonBones do that Substance 3D Painter cannot?
- DragonBones covers Skeletal animation, Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas. Substance 3D Painter covers 3D painting, Smart materials, Generators, PBR workflow. Both handle Unity, Windows support.
Related pages
More on DragonBones
More on Substance 3D Painter
Keep looking
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