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Flax Engine vs DragonBones

Flax Engine logo

Flax Engine

Software

Modern 3D game engine with visual editor

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
D

DragonBones

Software

Free 2D skeletal animation solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Flax Engine flax charges a 4% royalty on game earnings above $250,000, assessed per calendar quarter; DragonBones javaScript/TypeScript runtime limited to specific game engines (Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator)
  • They diverge on capability: Flax Engine covers 3D graphics rendering, DragonBones covers Mesh deformation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Flax Engine and DragonBones actually diverge.

Attributes where Flax Engine and DragonBones differ
AttributeFlax EngineDragonBones
Pricing modelfreeopen-source
PlatformsWindows, Linux, Playstation, XboxEgret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator
Founded20172014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Flax Engine

  • 3D graphics rendering
  • Visual editor
  • C# scripting
  • Physics engine
  • Audio system
  • Particle effects
  • Material system
  • Lighting system

Only in DragonBones

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

Both cover

  • Skeletal animation
  • Local deployment
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Flax Engine

  • Building 3D games in C# and C++ with full engine source accessnot DragonBones
  • Multi-platform deployment from one editornot DragonBones
  • Prototyping with the bundled Flax Samples projectsnot DragonBones

DragonBones

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

Where each one falls short

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

Flax Engine

  • Flax charges a 4% royalty on game earnings above $250,000, assessed per calendar quarter
  • Free use is granted for non-commercial or educational usage; commercial releases fall under the royalty
  • Users must accept the Flax Engine End-User License Agreement before using the engine or its tools, so it is not an OSI open source licence despite the source being on GitHub
  • Non-game uses such as in-house tools or SaaS products need a custom licence negotiated with the vendor, and no rate card is published for per-seat or flat-fee options

DragonBones

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Flax Engine

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • Visual editor
    • C# scripting

DragonBones

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DragonBones review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Flax Engine if

  • You need 3d graphics rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox.
  • You also want visual editor.
Flax Engine review

Choose DragonBones if

  • You need mesh deformation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
  • You also want ik system.
DragonBones review

Questions people ask

Is Flax Engine or DragonBones better?
Neither clearly leads. Flax Engine starts at Free and DragonBones at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Flax Engine or DragonBones?
Flax Engine starts at Free and DragonBones at Free.
Does Flax Engine or DragonBones run on more platforms?
Flax Engine runs on Windows, Linux, Playstation, Xbox. DragonBones runs on Egret, PixiJS, Phaser, Hilo, Cocos Creator.
Can I use Flax Engine for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Flax Engine best used for?
Flax Engine is most often used for building 3d games in c# and c++ with full engine source access, multi-platform deployment from one editor, prototyping with the bundled flax samples projects. Of those, building 3d games in c# and c++ with full engine source access and multi-platform deployment from one editor are not what DragonBones is typically brought in for.
What can Flax Engine do that DragonBones cannot?
Flax Engine covers 3D graphics rendering, Visual editor, C# scripting, Physics engine. DragonBones covers Mesh deformation, IK system, Texture atlas, Animation blending. Both handle Skeletal animation, Local deployment, Windows support.
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