3D & CAD · head to head
Vectorworks vs Mudbox
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Vectorworks the Internet Archive's capture of Vectorworks' products page on 12 December 2019 named seven distinct editions and add-on modules, Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Fundamentals, Designer, Vision, and the Braceworks/ConnectCAD add-ons, each with its own 'Buy Now' link, but no price figure appeared on the page itself.; Mudbox a Mudbox subscription license may be installed on up to 3 computers (Internet Archive capture, 12 November 2023)
- They diverge on capability: Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, Mudbox covers Digital sculpting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Vectorworks and Mudbox actually diverge.
| Attribute | Vectorworks | Mudbox |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS | Windows, MacOS, Linux |
| Founded | 1985 | 1982 |
Identical on both: starting price ($29/month), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 Vectorworks
- BIM modeling
- 2D/3D design
- Documentation
- Rendering
- GIS integration
- Entertainment design
- Landscape tools
- Lumion
Only in Mudbox
- Digital sculpting
- Texture painting
- Retopology
- PTEX support
- Layer system
- Stencils
- Stamps
- GPU tessellation
Both cover
- License management
- Windows support
- MacOS support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Vectorworks
- Building designnot Mudbox
- Landscape designnot Mudbox
- Stage designnot Mudbox
Mudbox
- Character sculptingnot Vectorworks
- Texture creationnot Vectorworks
- Asset detailingnot Vectorworks
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Vectorworks
- The Internet Archive's capture of Vectorworks' products page on 12 December 2019 named seven distinct editions and add-on modules, Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Fundamentals, Designer, Vision, and the Braceworks/ConnectCAD add-ons, each with its own 'Buy Now' link, but no price figure appeared on the page itself.
Mudbox
- A Mudbox subscription license may be installed on up to 3 computers (Internet Archive capture, 12 November 2023)
- Sold as monthly, annual or 3-year subscription terms with no perpetual license option offered on the pricing page (Internet Archive capture, 12 November 2023)
Pricing, plan by plan
Vectorworks
$29/month- Architect$2495/month
- BIM
- Architecture tools
- Landmark$2495/month
- Landscape design
- GIS
- Design Suite$3295/month
- All modules combined
Mudbox
$29/month- Mudbox$85/month
- Full sculpting
- Texture painting
- M&E Collection$2390/month
- Mudbox + Maya + 3ds Max + more
Which should you pick?
Choose Vectorworks if
- You need bim modeling.
- You work on Windows, MacOS.
- You also want 2d/3d design.
Choose Mudbox if
- You need digital sculpting.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want texture painting.
Questions people ask
- Is Vectorworks or Mudbox better?
- Neither clearly leads. Vectorworks starts at $29/month and Mudbox at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Vectorworks or Mudbox?
- Vectorworks starts at $29/month and Mudbox at $29/month.
- Does Vectorworks or Mudbox run on more platforms?
- Vectorworks runs on Windows, MacOS. Mudbox runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- What is Vectorworks best used for?
- Vectorworks is most often used for building design, landscape design, stage design. Of those, building design and landscape design are not what Mudbox is typically brought in for.
- What can Vectorworks do that Mudbox cannot?
- Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, 2D/3D design, Documentation, Rendering. Mudbox covers Digital sculpting, Texture painting, Retopology, PTEX support. Both handle License management, Windows support, MacOS support.