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Pygame vs Substance 3D Painter

Pygame logo

Pygame

Software

Python library for game development

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Substance 3D Painter logo

Substance 3D Painter

Software

3D texture painting software

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Pygame has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Pygame licensed under GNU LGPL v2.1, free to use even in closed-source and commercial games, no paid tier; 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: Pygame covers Graphics rendering, Substance 3D Painter covers 3D painting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Pygame and Substance 3D Painter actually diverge.

Attributes where Pygame and Substance 3D Painter differ
AttributePygameSubstance 3D Painter
Starting priceFree$29/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, AndroidWindows, MacOS, Linux
Founded20001982

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 Pygame

  • Graphics rendering
  • Audio playback
  • Input handling
  • Sprite system
  • Collision detection
  • Font rendering
  • Animation support
  • Event system

Only in Substance 3D Painter

  • 3D painting
  • Smart materials
  • Generators
  • PBR workflow
  • Baking
  • Export presets
  • Scripting
  • Maya

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

Pygame

  • 2D game developmentnot Substance 3D Painter
  • Game prototypingnot Substance 3D Painter
  • Educational gamesnot Substance 3D Painter
  • Learning game developmentnot Substance 3D Painter

Substance 3D Painter

  • Game texturingnot Pygame
  • Film assetsnot Pygame
  • Product visualizationnot Pygame

Where each one falls short

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

Pygame

  • Licensed under GNU LGPL v2.1, free to use even in closed-source and commercial games, no paid tier

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

Pygame

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full library
    • Python support
    • Graphics rendering

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 Pygame if

  • You need graphics rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android.
  • You also want audio playback.
Pygame review

Choose Substance 3D Painter if

  • You need 3d painting.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want smart materials.
Substance 3D Painter review

Questions people ask

Is Pygame or Substance 3D Painter better?
Neither clearly leads. Pygame 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, Pygame or Substance 3D Painter?
Pygame has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Pygame and $29/month for Substance 3D Painter.
Does Pygame or Substance 3D Painter run on more platforms?
Pygame runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Android. Substance 3D Painter runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
Can I use Pygame for free?
Yes. Pygame has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Substance 3D Painter starts at $29/month.
What is Pygame best used for?
Pygame is most often used for 2d game development, game prototyping, educational games, learning game development. Of those, 2d game development and game prototyping are not what Substance 3D Painter is typically brought in for.
What can Pygame do that Substance 3D Painter cannot?
Pygame covers Graphics rendering, Audio playback, Input handling, Sprite system. Substance 3D Painter covers 3D painting, Smart materials, Generators, PBR workflow. Both handle Windows support, Linux support.
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