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Software · head to head

Shapr3D vs Houdini

Shapr3D logo

Shapr3D

Software

CAD software for iPad and Mac

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Houdini logo

Houdini

Software

Procedural 3D animation and VFX

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Shapr3D the free Basic plan is limited to 2 projects; Houdini houdini Indie at $299 per year requires annual gross revenue under $100K USD
  • They diverge on capability: Shapr3D covers Direct modeling, Houdini covers Procedural modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Shapr3D and Houdini actually diverge.

Attributes where Shapr3D and Houdini differ
AttributeShapr3DHoudini
PlatformsIPadOS, MacOS, WindowsWindows, MacOS, Linux
Founded20151987

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (subscription), 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 Shapr3D

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

Only in Houdini

  • Procedural modeling
  • VFX
  • Simulations
  • Particle systems
  • Pyro FX
  • Ocean tools
  • Rigging
  • Rendering

Both cover

  • MacOS support
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Shapr3D

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

Houdini

  • Procedural 3D modelling and environment generationnot Shapr3D
  • Visual effects simulation for pyro, fluids, cloth and rigid bodiesnot Shapr3D
  • Building reusable procedural assets for a studio pipelinenot Shapr3D

Where each one falls short

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

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

Houdini

  • Houdini Indie at $299 per year requires annual gross revenue under $100K USD
  • Houdini Indie cannot be used in the same pipeline as commercial versions of Houdini
  • Houdini Indie and Apprentice save to their own .hipnc file format, which commercial Houdini pipelines do not share
  • The free Apprentice edition is non commercial, caps render resolution at 1920x1080 and watermarks output images
  • Houdini Indie ships with only 2 render tokens
  • Full DOP level simulation node access requires Houdini FX at $4,495 per workstation; Core at $1,995 exposes only SOP level pre built simulation assets
  • Extra render tokens cost $195

Pricing, plan by plan

Shapr3D

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

Houdini

Free
  • ApprenticeFree
    • Learning version
    • Non-commercial
  • Indie$269/month
    • Revenue limit $100K
  • Core$1995/month
    • Full commercial
  • FX$4495/month
    • Full + simulations

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Houdini if

  • You need procedural modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want vfx.
Houdini review

Questions people ask

Is Shapr3D or Houdini better?
Neither clearly leads. Shapr3D starts at Free and Houdini at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Shapr3D or Houdini?
Shapr3D starts at Free and Houdini at Free.
Does Shapr3D or Houdini run on more platforms?
Shapr3D runs on IPadOS, MacOS, Windows. Houdini runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
Can I use Shapr3D for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Shapr3D best used for?
Shapr3D is most often used for direct modelling cad on ipad with apple pencil, producing manufacturable solid models and technical drawings, sharing cad projects with collaborators on desktop and tablet. Of those, direct modelling cad on ipad with apple pencil and producing manufacturable solid models and technical drawings are not what Houdini is typically brought in for.
What can Shapr3D do that Houdini cannot?
Shapr3D covers Direct modeling, Parametric history, Visualization, 2D drawings. Houdini covers Procedural modeling, VFX, Simulations, Particle systems. Both handle MacOS support, Windows support.
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