3D Coat

Active

Country: Ukraine (UA)
Founded: 2007
Developer: Pilgway (based in Ukraine)
Pricing: Paid with 30-day free trial
Open source: No
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux

Indexes

3D Modelling

Overview

3DCoat is a software application for 3D model creation, covering sculpting, voxel modeling, retopology, UV editing, PBR texture painting, and rendering in an integrated pipeline.¹²³ It supports users from concept artists to production workflows, allowing progression from digital clay to fully textured models without topology constraints in early stages.¹³ The app stands out by combining multiple specialized tasks into one tool, unlike competitors focused on single areas like sculpting or texturing.¹²

Key Features

Voxel Sculpting - Topology-free sculpting for rapid, detailed model construction favored by concept artists.
Retopology Tools - Auto-retopology and manual tools for creating optimized low-poly meshes.
PBR Texture Painting - Smart materials library and hand-painted textures for photorealistic results.
UV Mapping - Tools to create, edit, and paint directly on UV maps.
Rendering - GPU-based rendering for stills, movies, or turntables with Renderman integration.
Paint Room - Multi-channel texture creation including albedo, glossiness, and depth maps.
Photogrammetry - Integration with RealityCapture for importing scanned data.
Surface Array - Tool to array objects on surfaces or selected faces.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Commercial License	Paid (purchase via account)	Full access to all features post-trial.
Free Trial	Free for 30 days	Complete software functionality.

Platforms & Requirements

3DCoat runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with per-user installation setups available, including specific Linux instructions.⁸⁹ It supports drawing tablets from major brands and requires activation via login.³¹⁰ No notable platform-specific limitations mentioned beyond standard setup needs.

Integrations & Ecosystem

AppLinks for data exchange with other 3D apps (send models with color, normal, displacement)
Pixar Renderman (basic integration)
RealityCapture (photogrammetry)
Export formats including PTEX, OBJ, FBX
UV and texture baking to external hosts
Import from external apps via AppLinks

Alternatives

App	Difference
ZBrush	Specializes in high-detail digital sculpting but lacks integrated retopology and texturing.
Substance Painter	Focused on PBR texturing and materials, without sculpting or voxel modeling.
Blender	Free and open-source with broad tools, but less specialized in voxel sculpting and integrated pipeline.
Mudbox	Emphasizes sculpting and painting, owned by Autodesk with tighter ecosystem integration.

Reputation

3DCoat is recognized for its all-in-one approach combining sculpting, retopology, UVs, and texturing, appealing to users seeking a streamlined workflow over specialized tools.¹²⁴ Strengths include voxel modeling for topology-free creation and strong retopology tools, with active development adding features like photogrammetry.³ Criticisms may involve a learning curve due to its room-based structure and less polish compared to industry giants, though it maintains a dedicated user base including concept artists.¹⁴⁶

Sources (10)