Types of Major 3DCG Software from Integrated to Specialized

Types of 3dcg

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Hi there. Today, let me tell you about the major 3DCG software from integrated to specialized.

Types of 3DCG Software

Kikuchiyo

I’m interested in 3DCG, but I don’t know much about the types of software.

Kikuchiyo, there are integrated and specialized software in 3DCG.

Master Wanko

Kikuchiyo

Master Wanko! I don’t know about the difference between integrated and specialized software…

Don’t worry Kikuchiyo. Let’s learn about the types of major 3DCG software.

Master Wanko

Integrated 3DCG Software

There are so many functions in 3DCG software (See the list below), and the integrated software includes almost all functions (The functions included differ for each software).

    • Modeling
    • Retopology
    • UV edit
    • Animation
    • Rigging
    • Rendering
    • 3D painting
    • Sculpting
    • Effects
    • Dynamics

Specialized 3DCG Software

The specialized 3DCG software has some specific functions like modeling, sculpting and so on.

3D CAD is NOT a 3DCG Software

3D CAD is similar to 3DCG but they are different. 3D CAD software is used to draw the blueprint. 3DCG software is used to create illustrations, animations and so on.

FUSION 360 is 3D CAD software but it has functions like 3DCG.

Major Integrated 3DCG Software

Kikuchiyo

Master Wanko, I would like to know more about integrated software.

OK, so we see the integrated 3DCG software.

Master Wanko

Let me tell you about integrated 3DCG. Almost all the 3DCG software has trial and/or educated version and you can try them for free.

Important
The price of the software will change sometimes. You should check the price before purchase.

MEMO
Each software has different type of license. Visit the website of the 3DCG software for more details.

MAYA

Master Wanko

MAYA is very popular 3DCG software. It has high functionality and customizability. MAYA is able to manage the big assets. The price of MAYA is not inexpensive for personal user. But MAYA LT for game developer is reasonable.
  • MAYA: $1,505.00 /year
  • MAYA LT: $245.00 /year
  • Type of license: Subscription only
  • OS: Windows / Mac / Linux (MAYA LT has no Linux version.)

3DS MAX

Master Wanko

3DS MAX is the integrated software like MAYA. The type of license and the price are the same as MAYA. But only for Windows.

  • 3DS MAX: $1,505.00 /year
  • Type of license: Subscription only
  • OS: Windows only

Cinema 4D

MEMO
Maxon announced the new plans and pricing of Cinema 4D at Siggraph 2019. The new plans start from early season of September 2019.

Cinema 4D – Plans & Pricing

Master Wanko

Cinema 4D is famous for its motion graphics function. It is very friendly with Adobe After Effects.

MEMO
The price of STUDIO edition (the highest grade of Cinema 4D) is not inexpensive but they have perpetual license.

If you contract MSA (Maxon Service Agreement) you can always use the latest version of Cinema 4D.

The plans and pricing from the early season of September 2019 is below:

  • Cinema 4D Annual (Annual Subscription): €61.49/month
  • Cinema 4D with Redshift (Annual Subscription): €86.09/month
  • Cinema 4D Perpetual (Perpetual): €3567

The plans and pricing until the early season of September 2019 is below:

  • STUDIO (The highest grade): $3,695.00*
  • VISUALIZE (For product and architectural design): $2,295.00*
  • BROADCAST (For motion graphics): $1,695.00*
  • PRIME (For graphic designer and beginners): $995.00*
  • Type of license: Perpetual / Subscription
  • OS: Windows / Mac

*The price of standalone, perpetual license in US shop.

Blender

Master Wanko

Blender is very powerful open source 3DCG software. It is free for commercial use.

  • Blender: Free
  • Type of license: GPL
  • OS: Windows / Mac / Linux

LightWave 3D

Master Wanko

LightWave 3D is used by many anime companies in Japan. The price is very reasonable.

  • LightWave 3D: $995.00
  • Type of license: Perpetual
  • OS: Windows / Mac

MODO

Master Wanko

MODO has very powerful hard surface modeling function. If you want be a modeler, it’s worth a try.

  • MODO Permanent licence with one year Maintenance: $1,799
  • MODO Annual subscription license agreement paid either monthly or annually : $599 /year
  • Type of license: Perpetual / Subscription
  • OS: Windows / Mac

Houdini

Master Wanko

Houdini enables you to create very realistic effects like explosion, smoke, fire and water and so on.

  • Houdini Apprentice: Free
  • Houdini Indie: $269 /year (Subscription only)
  • Houdini Indie Engine: Free
  • Houdini Core: $1995.00 /year
  • Houdini FX: $4995.00 /year
  • Houdini Engine: $499.00 /annual rental only
  • Type of license: Perpetual / Rental (Annual / Monthly / Weekly) / Subscription
  • OS: Windows / Mac / Linux

Compare | SideFX

Major Specialized 3DCG Software

Kikushiyo

Well there are so many kinds of integrated 3DCG software… But I would like to know about specialized 3DCG software!

There are some essential kinds of software like ZBrush you should know.

Master Wanko

Important
The price of the software will change sometimes. You should check the price before purchase.

ZBrush

Master Wanko

ZBrush is the sculpt based modeling software. Many company uses ZBrush for modeling software.

MEMO
ZBrush is incredibly user friendly. Every user using latest version of ZBrush without any upgrade fee!
  • ZBrush: $895
  • ZBrush CORE: $179.95
  • Type of license: Perpetual / Subscription
  • OS: Windows / Mac

Sculptris

Add: Pixologic ended the development of Sculptis in 2020. At the same time, they released ZBrushCore Mini for free.

Master Wanko

Sculptris is the sculpt based modeling software like ZBrush. It’s free, simple and not complicated but has no high functionality like ZBrush.

  • Sculptris: Free
  • Type of license: Perpetual
  • OS: Windows / Mac

3D-COAT

Master Wanko

3D-COAT is the sculpt based modeling software and famous for its great auto-retopology function.
  • Professional: $379
  • Amature: $99
  • 3DCprinting: $49
  • Type of license: Perpetual
  • OS: Windows / Mac / Linux

MARI

Master Wanko

MARI is the powerful 3D painting & texturing software. It is possible to manage bunch of high resolution textures.
  • Mari: $2,068
  • Type of license: Perpetual / Subscription
  • OS: Windows / Mac / Linux

SUBSTANCE

Master Wanko

There are 3 types of software in SUBSTANCE.
  • SUBSTANCE PAINTER: 3D painting tool
  • SUBSTANCE DESIGNER: Material editing tool
  • SUBSTANCE B2M: PBR (Physically-Based Rendering) map generator

You can buy these tools as one package or an individual software.

  • Type of license: Perpetual / Subscription
  • OS: Windows / Mac / Linux (B2M has no Linux version.)

SUBSTANCE Indie License (Revenue Under $100K)

  • SUBSTANCE(Painter / Designer / B2M and so on.): $239.00/year
  • SUBSTANCE PAINTER: $149
  • SUBSTANCE DESIGNER: $149
  • SUBSTANCE B2M: $99

SUBSTANCE Professional License (Revenue $100K – $100M)

  • SUBSTANCE(Painter / Designer / B2M and so on.): $990.00/year
  • SUBSTANCE PAINTER: $990
  • SUBSTANCE DESIGNER: $990
  • SUBSTANCE B2M: $149

Quixel

Master Wanko

Quixel consist of Mixer, Bridge and Megascans.
  • Mixer: Standalone Material Creation Software
  • Bridge: Asset Management Tool
  • Megascans: 3D and 2D Library

  • Type of license: Subscription(Personal / ArchViz / Business)
  • OS: Windows / Mac / Linux(Not for Mixer)

  • Personal: $9/month to $228 – $468/year
  • ArchViz: $828 – $2,388/year
  • Business: $4,788 – $9,588/year
  • Enterprise: Ask
  • Indie Program: Need to apply
  • Educational Program: Need to apply

Metasequoia

Master Wanko

Metasequoia is the modeling software developed by Tetraface Inc.

  • Metasequoia 4 EX: $150.00
  • Metasequoia 4 Standard: $45.00
  • Type of license: Perpetual
  • OS: Windows / Mac

Try the Software You Want to Learn!

Master Wanko

Do you understand about types of 3DCG software, Kikuchiyo?

Yes, Master Wanko! But there are so many software and very difficult to know about details…

Kikuchiyo

Master Wanko

Yes, so many software in 3DCG world. Check the software you would like to try one by one.