Rhino 3D vs 3DCoat

Last Updated:

Our analysts compared Rhino 3D vs 3DCoat based on data from our 400+ point analysis of 3D Design Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Rhino 3D Software Tool
3DCoat Software Tool

Product Basics

Rhino 3D excels in creating intricate 3D models with precision, making it ideal for professionals in architecture, industrial design, and jewelry design. Its robust capabilities include NURBS modeling, which allows for the creation of complex surfaces and curves. Users appreciate its versatility and the ability to handle large projects without compromising performance. Rhino 3D's standout features include its extensive plugin ecosystem and compatibility with various file formats, enhancing its adaptability across different workflows. Compared to similar products, users often highlight its affordability and the one-time purchase model, which can be more cost-effective in the long run. For specific pricing details, it's advisable to contact SelectHub to tailor a quote to individual needs. Rhino 3D's unique blend of power and flexibility makes it a favored choice for those seeking detailed and accurate 3D modeling solutions.
read more...
3DCoat is a versatile software designed for intricate 3D modeling tasks, offering robust tools for digital sculpting, texturing, and rendering. It is particularly well-suited for artists and designers in industries such as gaming, film, and animation, where detailed and high-quality 3D models are essential. The software's unique voxel sculpting capabilities allow for the creation of complex shapes without topological constraints, making it a powerful choice for creative professionals. Users appreciate its intuitive interface and comprehensive feature set, which includes UV mapping, PBR texture painting, and retopology tools. Compared to similar products, 3DCoat is praised for its flexibility and efficiency in handling detailed models. Pricing details can vary, so it's advisable to contact SelectHub for a tailored quote based on specific requirements. Overall, 3DCoat stands out for its ability to streamline the 3D modeling process while maintaining high-quality output.
read more...
$995 One-Time
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
$25 Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Versatile Modeling: Rhino 3D supports a wide range of modeling techniques, from NURBS to mesh and subdivision surfaces, allowing designers to create complex and precise models for various industries, including architecture, automotive, and jewelry design.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: With support for both Windows and macOS, Rhino 3D ensures that users can work seamlessly across different operating systems, enhancing collaboration and flexibility in diverse work environments.
  • Extensive File Support: Rhino 3D can import and export over 30 file formats, including DWG, DXF, OBJ, and STL, making it easy to integrate with other software and streamline workflows across different stages of a project.
  • Customizability: Users can tailor Rhino 3D to their specific needs through scripting and plugins, enabling the automation of repetitive tasks and the extension of core functionalities to suit unique project requirements.
  • Precision and Accuracy: Rhino 3D excels in creating highly accurate models, which is crucial for industries like engineering and manufacturing where precision is paramount for prototyping and production.
  • Robust Community Support: A vibrant community of users and developers provides a wealth of resources, including forums, tutorials, and plugins, facilitating learning and problem-solving for both beginners and advanced users.
  • Cost-Effective Solution: Compared to other high-end 3D modeling software, Rhino 3D offers a competitive pricing model without compromising on capabilities, making it accessible to small businesses and freelancers.
  • Advanced Rendering Capabilities: With integrated rendering tools and support for third-party render engines, Rhino 3D allows users to produce photorealistic visualizations, enhancing presentations and client communications.
  • Scalability: Rhino 3D can handle projects of varying scales, from small product designs to large architectural models, ensuring that users can grow their projects without needing to switch software.
  • Interoperability with Grasshopper: The integration with Grasshopper, a visual programming language, enables parametric design and algorithmic modeling, empowering users to explore complex geometries and design variations efficiently.
  • Continuous Development: Regular updates and improvements ensure that Rhino 3D remains at the forefront of technology, incorporating user feedback and industry trends to enhance functionality and user experience.
  • Educational Resources: A wealth of educational materials, including online courses and workshops, are available to help users of all skill levels master Rhino 3D, fostering professional development and skill enhancement.
  • Global Reach: Rhino 3D is used worldwide, making it easier for international teams to collaborate on projects, share expertise, and maintain consistency across global operations.
read more...
  • Intuitive Interface: 3DCoat offers a user-friendly interface that allows artists to focus on creativity rather than technicalities, making it accessible for both beginners and seasoned professionals.
  • Versatile Sculpting Tools: The software provides a comprehensive set of sculpting tools that enable detailed and intricate modeling, allowing for the creation of highly realistic textures and forms.
  • Efficient UV Mapping: 3DCoat simplifies the UV mapping process with its automatic and manual unwrapping tools, reducing the time spent on tedious tasks and improving workflow efficiency.
  • Seamless Texture Painting: With its advanced texture painting capabilities, 3DCoat allows for high-resolution painting directly on 3D models, ensuring precision and quality in texturing.
  • Dynamic Voxel Sculpting: The voxel-based sculpting feature enables artists to create complex models without worrying about topology, offering flexibility in the creative process.
  • Comprehensive Retopology Tools: 3DCoat includes robust retopology tools that facilitate the creation of clean, animation-ready meshes, essential for game development and animation projects.
  • Real-Time Rendering: The software supports real-time rendering, allowing artists to see immediate results of their work, which aids in making quick adjustments and improvements.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: 3DCoat is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring accessibility for users across different platforms.
  • Integration with Other Software: It offers seamless integration with other 3D software like Blender, Maya, and ZBrush, facilitating a smooth workflow across different stages of production.
  • Community and Support: 3DCoat boasts an active user community and comprehensive support resources, providing users with tutorials, forums, and direct support to enhance their learning and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Cost-Effective Solution: Compared to other high-end 3D modeling software, 3DCoat offers a competitive pricing model, making it an affordable option for freelancers and small studios.
  • Regular Updates: The developers of 3DCoat consistently release updates that introduce new features and improvements, ensuring the software remains cutting-edge and relevant in the industry.
  • Customizable Workflows: Users can tailor their workflows with customizable toolsets and interfaces, allowing for a personalized experience that suits individual project needs.
  • Advanced Baking Options: The software includes advanced baking tools that allow for the efficient transfer of details from high-poly to low-poly models, crucial for optimizing models for real-time applications.
  • Non-Destructive Editing: 3DCoat supports non-destructive editing, enabling artists to make changes without permanently altering the original model, thus preserving creative flexibility.
read more...
  • NURBS Modeling: Rhino 3D excels in creating complex and precise NURBS curves and surfaces, allowing for intricate and detailed designs.
  • Extensive File Compatibility: Supports over 30 file formats, including DWG, DXF, OBJ, and STL, facilitating seamless integration with other software.
  • Grasshopper Integration: Offers a powerful visual programming language for parametric design, enabling users to create generative and algorithmic models.
  • Advanced Rendering: Includes built-in rendering tools and supports plugins like V-Ray for photorealistic visualizations.
  • Customizable Interface: Users can tailor the interface to their workflow, enhancing productivity and ease of use.
  • Precision Tools: Provides robust tools for measuring, analyzing, and editing models with high accuracy, essential for engineering and manufacturing.
  • Extensive Plugin Ecosystem: A wide range of plugins are available, expanding functionality for specific industries such as architecture, jewelry, and marine design.
  • Mesh Tools: Offers comprehensive tools for creating, editing, and analyzing polygon meshes, useful for 3D printing and digital sculpting.
  • History and Record Keeping: Allows users to maintain a history of modeling operations, enabling easy modifications and iterative design processes.
  • Cross-Platform Availability: Available for both Windows and macOS, ensuring accessibility for a broad range of users.
  • Scriptable with Python and RhinoScript: Supports scripting for automation and customization, enhancing workflow efficiency.
  • Real-Time Collaboration: Features like Rhino.Inside enable integration with other software such as Revit, fostering collaborative design environments.
  • Comprehensive Documentation and Support: Extensive resources, including tutorials and community forums, provide robust support for users at all levels.
  • Animation and Presentation Tools: Includes basic animation capabilities and tools for creating presentations, aiding in client communication and project visualization.
  • Scalable Licensing Options: Offers flexible licensing, including educational and commercial options, catering to diverse user needs.
read more...
  • Voxel Sculpting: Allows for the creation of complex, detailed models without worrying about topology constraints, enabling artists to focus on creativity.
  • Retopology Tools: Offers automatic and manual retopology options, providing flexibility in creating clean, production-ready meshes.
  • UV Mapping: Features an intuitive UV mapping process with tools for unwrapping, packing, and managing UV islands efficiently.
  • Smart Materials: Enables the application of realistic textures and materials with adjustable parameters, enhancing the visual quality of models.
  • PBR Workflow: Supports Physically Based Rendering, allowing for the creation of materials that react realistically to lighting conditions.
  • Texture Painting: Provides a robust set of tools for painting directly onto 3D models, including layers, blending modes, and customizable brushes.
  • 3D Printing Support: Includes features for preparing models for 3D printing, such as hollowing, scaling, and checking for errors.
  • Integration with Other Software: Offers compatibility with industry-standard software like Blender, Maya, and ZBrush, facilitating a seamless workflow.
  • Auto-Retopo: Utilizes advanced algorithms to automatically generate optimized topology, saving time in the modeling process.
  • Live Clay: Provides dynamic tessellation, allowing for the addition of detail where needed without increasing the overall polygon count unnecessarily.
  • Pose Tool: Enables easy manipulation of model parts, making it simple to pose characters or adjust proportions.
  • Layer System: Supports a comprehensive layer system for both sculpting and painting, allowing for non-destructive editing.
  • Render Room: Includes a built-in rendering engine for previewing models with realistic lighting and shadows.
  • Customizable Interface: Offers a flexible user interface that can be tailored to fit individual workflows and preferences.
  • Multi-Resolution Sculpting: Allows artists to work on different levels of detail, facilitating both broad changes and fine detailing.
  • Symmetry Options: Provides extensive symmetry tools, including radial and planar symmetry, to streamline the modeling process.
  • Brush Engine: Features a powerful brush engine with customizable settings, enabling precise control over sculpting and painting.
  • Mesh Optimization: Includes tools for decimating and optimizing meshes, ensuring models are efficient for use in games and animations.
  • Support for Multiple File Formats: Allows for importing and exporting a wide range of file formats, enhancing compatibility with various pipelines.
  • Community and Learning Resources: Backed by a strong community and extensive tutorials, providing support and learning opportunities for users of all levels.
read more...

Product Ranking

#9

among all
3D Design Software

#10

among all
3D Design Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

58
63
55
28
78
86
64
71
Show More Show More

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Rhino 3D
3DCoat
+ Add Product + Add Product
Animation And Rigging Modeling And Sculpting Platform Capabilities Rendering And Visualization Texturing And Shading 55 78 64 67 81 28 86 71 96 98 0 25 50 75 100
0%
50%
50%
17%
17%
66%
50%
30%
20%
80%
10%
10%
43%
0%
57%
71%
0%
29%
29%
14%
57%
100%
0%
0%
67%
11%
22%
100%
0%
0%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

71%
0%
29%
86%
14%
0%
20%
0%
80%
0%
0%
100%

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Freeform Modeling: Rhino excels at creating organic, free-flowing shapes, making it ideal for product design, where aesthetics are as crucial as functionality.
Precision: Rhino's NURBS-based engine allows for highly accurate surface creation, essential for industries demanding precise specifications, such as jewelry design or medical device prototyping.
Wide Industry Use: Rhino's versatility makes it a popular choice across various sectors, from architecture to automotive design, ensuring users can collaborate effectively with others in their field.
Strong Interoperability: Rhino seamlessly integrates with other software like CAD/CAM and rendering applications, streamlining workflows and reducing the need for cumbersome file conversions.
Show more
Specialized Sculpting: 3DCoat excels in both voxel and polygonal sculpting, employing dynamic patch tessellation for detailed creations.
Efficient Retopology: It offers a robust suite of retopology tools, outperforming competitors in this area and allowing for efficient mesh optimization.
Seamless Texturing: 3DCoat shines in texture painting, providing a smooth and intuitive experience comparable to dedicated software like Substance Painter.
Integrated UV Mapping: Its UV mapping tools are highly regarded, allowing for precise control and efficient unwrapping of complex models.
Strong Interoperability: 3DCoat integrates well with other 3D software through its Applink plugins, facilitating a streamlined workflow across different applications.
Show more
Performance Issues: Some users have reported performance issues, especially with the release of Rhino 8, leading to a less smooth modeling experience.
Workflow Disruptions: Recent updates, particularly Rhino 8, have been criticized for introducing changes that disrupt established workflows, impacting user productivity and requiring adjustments to familiar processes.
Lack of Native Geometric Constraints: Rhino 3D lacks native geometric constraints, which are crucial for maintaining precise relationships between objects in engineering-focused designs.
Show more
Industry Adoption: 3DCoat is less commonly used in professional studios compared to industry-standard software like ZBrush, which could be a drawback for businesses that prioritize industry-standard software adoption.
Software Stability: While many users find 3DCoat stable enough, it has been reported to be less stable than some other 3D modeling software, which could disrupt workflows and lead to lost productivity.
Show more

Is Rhino 3D truly a charging rhino in the world of 3D modeling software, or is it just a decoy? Rhino 3D stands out for its robust free-form modeling capabilities, allowing users to craft intricate and complex geometries with ease, a feature often lauded by architects and jewelry designers who need to create elaborate designs. Its compatibility with various software formats, including industry giants like Revit, streamlines workflows and boosts productivity. However, the recent release of Rhino 8 has been met with mixed reviews. While some users appreciate the enhanced features, others have reported performance issues and workflow disruptions, particularly those accustomed to previous versions. This suggests that while Rhino 3D excels in its powerful modeling capabilities and interoperability, the learning curve for new versions can be steep, potentially impacting productivity for some users. Rhino 3D is a good value proposition for its one-time purchase price, especially when compared to subscription-based alternatives. However, its 2D CAD functionalities are limited, potentially requiring users to rely on additional tools. Overall, Rhino 3D is best suited for professionals in architecture, industrial design, and similar fields who require powerful 3D modeling capabilities and seamless integration with other software. Its free-form modeling prowess makes it ideal for organic and complex designs, while its compatibility with various formats ensures smooth collaboration and efficient workflows. However, users accustomed to older versions might need to navigate a learning curve with Rhino 8, and those requiring robust 2D CAD functionalities might find its limitations a drawback.

Show more

Is 3DCoat all your 3D modeling dreams in a neat little package, or is it just another tool that misses the mark? User reviews from the last year reveal a mixed bag. While 3DCoat is lauded for its robust retopology tools, which some users claim are "miles ahead of ZBrush," and its intuitive UV unwrapping, it's also plagued by persistent bugs and stability issues. One user, despite acknowledging the software's potential, lamented, "I cannot recommend 3DCoat until they fix the serious bugs and freezes." This sentiment is echoed by others who report frequent crashes, particularly when working with high-poly models. A significant point of contention is 3DCoat's user interface, often described as "clunky" and difficult to navigate. While some argue that this is a common gripe with 3D modeling software, 3DCoat's learning curve seems steeper than most. However, those who persevere often find its powerful features, like its ability to seamlessly switch between sculpting and texturing, to be a game-changer. One user even boldly proclaimed, "3DCoat seems superior to ZBrush in every way." Ultimately, 3DCoat is best suited for experienced artists who can look past its quirks and appreciate its unique strengths. Its affordability makes it an attractive option for freelancers and small studios, but its instability might be a dealbreaker for larger projects where reliability is paramount.

Show more

Screenshots

Top Alternatives in 3D Design Software


3DCoat

3ds Max

Adobe Dimension

Autodesk Maya

Blender 3D

Cinema 4D

Coohom

formZ

Houdini

KeyShot Studio

LightWave 3D

Modo 3D

Mudbox

SketchUp

Substance 3D

Unity 3D

ZBrush

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

Compare products
Comparison Report
Just drag this link to the bookmark bar.
?
Table settings