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3D & CAD · head to head

Lumion vs Shapr3D

Lumion logo

Lumion

3D & CAD

Architectural visualization made easy

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shapr3D logo

Shapr3D

3D & CAD

CAD software for iPad and Mac

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Shapr3D has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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; Shapr3D the free Basic plan is limited to 2 projects
  • They diverge on capability: Lumion covers Real-time rendering, Shapr3D covers Direct modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Lumion and Shapr3D actually diverge.

Attributes where Lumion and Shapr3D differ
AttributeLumionShapr3D
Starting price$29/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindowsIPadOS, MacOS, Windows
Founded19982015

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (3D & CAD).

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 Lumion

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

Only in Shapr3D

  • Direct modeling
  • Parametric history
  • Visualization
  • 2D drawings
  • Apple Pencil support
  • Import/export
  • Annotations
  • Fusion 360

Both cover

  • Rhino
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Lumion

  • Architectural visualizationnot Shapr3D
  • Client presentationsnot Shapr3D

Shapr3D

  • Direct modelling CAD on iPad with Apple Pencilnot Lumion
  • Producing manufacturable solid models and technical drawingsnot Lumion
  • Sharing CAD projects with collaborators on desktop and tabletnot Lumion

Where each one falls short

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

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

Shapr3D

  • The free Basic plan is limited to 2 projects
  • Free plan exports only basic resolution 3MF and STL, so no STEP or IGES output
  • Free plan caps generative renders at 3 per day; Pro raises this to 50 per day and only Enterprise is unlimited
  • Importing SLDPRT and SLDASM SolidWorks files requires Pro
  • Importing NX, JT, CREO, Solid Edge and Rhino files requires Enterprise
  • Exporting ACIS, FBX, Parasolid and PRC requires Enterprise
  • On premises and single tenant data storage is Enterprise only
  • Enterprise pricing is by quote with no published rate

Pricing, plan by plan

Lumion

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

Shapr3D

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 active designs
    • Basic features
  • Pro$25/month
    • Unlimited designs
    • All export formats
  • Business$199/month
    • Team features
    • Visualization

Which should you pick?

Choose Lumion if

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

Choose Shapr3D if

  • You need direct modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on IPadOS, MacOS, Windows.
  • You also want parametric history.
Shapr3D review

Questions people ask

Is Lumion or Shapr3D better?
Neither clearly leads. Lumion starts at $29/month and Shapr3D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Lumion or Shapr3D?
Shapr3D has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for Lumion and Free for Shapr3D.
Does Lumion or Shapr3D run on more platforms?
Lumion runs on Windows. Shapr3D runs on IPadOS, MacOS, Windows.
Can I use Shapr3D for free?
Yes. Shapr3D has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Lumion starts at $29/month.
What is Lumion best used for?
Lumion is most often used for architectural visualization, client presentations. Of those, architectural visualization and client presentations are not what Shapr3D is typically brought in for.
What can Lumion do that Shapr3D cannot?
Lumion covers Real-time rendering, Content library, Effects, Video animation. Shapr3D covers Direct modeling, Parametric history, Visualization, 2D drawings. Both handle Rhino, Windows support.
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