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Mari vs OpenSCAD

Mari logo

Mari

Software

3D painting for film and games

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenSCAD logo

OpenSCAD

Software

The programmers solid 3D CAD modeler

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only OpenSCAD has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Mari the full annual licence is $1,289 paid annually, and a short term quarterly rental is $949 per quarter; OpenSCAD script-based workflow, not interactive design interface
  • They diverge on capability: Mari covers High-resolution painting, OpenSCAD covers Script-based modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mari and OpenSCAD actually diverge.

Attributes where Mari and OpenSCAD differ
AttributeMariOpenSCAD
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, MacOS, LinuxWindows, macOS, Linux, WebAssembly
Founded19962009

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 Mari

  • High-resolution painting
  • UDIM support
  • Procedural layers
  • Baking
  • Node graph
  • Color management
  • Maya
  • Nuke

Only in OpenSCAD

  • Script-based modeling
  • CSG operations
  • 2D to 3D extrusion
  • Parameterization
  • STL export
  • Preview
  • 3D printers
  • Slicers

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • MacOS support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

Mari

  • Painting textures directly onto high complexity 3D assets for film and gamesnot OpenSCAD
  • Handling very large multi-UDIM texture sets in a look development pipelinenot OpenSCAD

OpenSCAD

  • Parametric 3D design for manufacturing and 3D printingnot Mari
  • Technical design with scripted control over geometrynot Mari
  • Procedural model generationnot Mari

Where each one falls short

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

Mari

  • The full annual licence is $1,289 paid annually, and a short term quarterly rental is $949 per quarter
  • The cheap $299 per year or $35 per month subscription is restricted to a single licence for people working alone or in small companies
  • Node-locked and floating are separate licence types you must choose between
  • All listed prices are before applicable taxes
  • A separate non-commercial licence exists, so commercial use requires a paid tier

OpenSCAD

  • Script-based workflow, not interactive design interface
  • Limited to constructive solid geometry and 2D extrusion modelling
  • Not suitable for artistic 3D modelling or computer animation
  • Complex build dependencies (Qt, CGAL, Boost)

Pricing, plan by plan

Mari

$29/month
  • Mari$1906/month
    • Full features

OpenSCAD

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OpenSCAD review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Mari if

  • You need high-resolution painting.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want udim support.
Mari review

Choose OpenSCAD if

  • You need script-based modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, WebAssembly.
  • You also want csg operations.
OpenSCAD review

Questions people ask

Is Mari or OpenSCAD better?
Neither clearly leads. Mari starts at $29/month and OpenSCAD at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Mari or OpenSCAD?
OpenSCAD has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for Mari and Free for OpenSCAD.
Does Mari or OpenSCAD run on more platforms?
Mari runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. OpenSCAD runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, WebAssembly.
Can I use OpenSCAD for free?
Yes. OpenSCAD has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Mari starts at $29/month.
What is Mari best used for?
Mari is most often used for painting textures directly onto high complexity 3d assets for film and games, handling very large multi-udim texture sets in a look development pipeline. Of those, painting textures directly onto high complexity 3d assets for film and games and handling very large multi-udim texture sets in a look development pipeline are not what OpenSCAD is typically brought in for.
What can Mari do that OpenSCAD cannot?
Mari covers High-resolution painting, UDIM support, Procedural layers, Baking. OpenSCAD covers Script-based modeling, CSG operations, 2D to 3D extrusion, Parameterization. Both handle Windows support, MacOS support, Linux support.
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