ArmorPaint is a feature-rich open-source 3D painting tool developed by Armory team. It offers hardware-accelerated baking on Nvidia RTX graphics, a plugin system foundation, and game-ready PBR texture maps creation capabilities. The tool supports importing 3D assets in OBJ, FBX, STL format & Blender scene files, as well as texture maps in 2D formats like PSD and HDR. With a node-based material editor and seamless 16K texture painting on high-end graphics cards, ArmorPaint is a versatile choice for texture creation. Regular updates and a variety of tools enhance its functionality.
Exploring alternatives to ArmorPaint leads to options such as Substance Painter, Quixel Mixer, Blender, and Substance. Each of these tools brings its own unique features to the table, catering to diverse needs in the realm of 3D texturing and painting.
Substance Painter
An innovative 3D painting tool, Substance Painter, acquired by Adobe, is lauded as the Adobe Photoshop for 3D digital work. Predominantly used for texturing models, creating textures, and enhancing game development, it’s a powerhouse in the gaming industry, a testament to which is its use by giants like Capcom and Activision.
Substance Painter Top Features
Advanced masking and procedural texturing tools
Capability of 8k texture baking
Real-time PBR material workflows
Ability to paint on 2D maps and 3D models
PBR format compatible with game engines
Facilitates painting across UV tiles
Customization options for texture work
Offers tools like brush, eraser and masking
Feature
Benefit
Advanced Baking Tools
Allows for detailed rendering of textures and meshes
Particle Effects Brushes
Enhances the realism and detail of artwork
Training Tutorials
Empower users with mastery over software basics, texture painting, UV Maps, and more.
Substance Painter Limitations
Requires a properly UV unwrapped polygonal model for painting
High cost, especially for individual game developers
Substance Painter Pricing
While Substance Painter’s pricing may be considered steep for the individual game developer, it’s equivalent to competing tools like 3D-Coat and Mudbox. Additionally, options for bundling with Substance Designer at a total of $700 are under consideration.
Substance Painter Use Cases
Use case 1: Gaming Industry
With its slick texture and mesh rendering, Substance Painter is hugely beneficial for the gaming industry.It swiftly produces realistic textures, which is crucial in high profile games development.
Use case 2: 3D Digital Art
Artists looking to create detailed and life-like digital three-dimensional art will find Substance Painter’s suite of features, including its advanced procedural texturing tools, invaluable.
Use case 3: Selling Assets on the Steam Store
With a beta license, individual developers can use Substance Painter to create and sell exceptional quality assets on renowned platforms like the Steam Store.
Quixel Mixer
Meet the power-packed 3D texturing maestro, Quixel Mixer. Sculpted for versatility, quality, and echoing your individual artistic style, Dress up your 3D visuals in style!
Quixel Mixer: A Symphony of Top Features
Multi-channel 3D painting: Enthralling and immersive textures? Checked!
Sculpting with displacement: Breathe life into your models with authentic roughness and elevations.
Seamless texture projection & ID masking: Magic of details made simple.
Dynamic real-time baking: Peak efficiency hand-in-hand with stunning visuals.
Megascans library: Tap into the world’s largest library of 3D assets!
Unique Integration
Limitless Creativity
Marries perfectly with Unreal Engine and Blender
Sculpt, paint, blend – Unleash your creative beast!
Quixel Bridge: Map exporting tailored for specific software
Dynamic material blending and masking for uber cool textures
Quixel Mixer: The Flip Side
No built-in baker: Upside? Exciting compatibility with external stars like Marmoset Toolbag or XNormal.
Minor UI quirks: A small learning curve, but hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day!
Sacrifices customization for realism: Real-world scan data results in highly realistic, but less customizable materials.
Quixel Mixer Pricing
Unleash the free potential cloaked for Unreal Engine wizardry. Freelancers and hobbyist artists, unlock the full capabilities at the meager price of $19/month.
Quixel Mixer Use Cases
Use case 1: Gaming Marvel
For studios using Unreal Engine, Quixel Mixer gifts you the quickest way to photorealistic, seamless texturing. Enter the world where gaming marries unparalleled realism.
Use case 2: Freelance Power
Freelance artists can leverage Mixer’s robustness to make revolutionary strides in 3D designing. Watch clients return, smitten by your uncanny blend of realism and artistry!
Use case 3: Educational Expeditions
For educational purposes, using Quixel Mixer is an unparalleled resource. Not only can you dive into deep 3D texturing, but the diverse library of Megascans is sure to kindle your inspiration.
Blender
Known as a prolific instrument in the realm of 3D computer graphics software, Blender offers an unparalleled, flexible toolset open to creative minds worldwide. Entirely free and open-source, this innovative software can be utilized for a multitude of tasks, from creating animated films to developing virtual reality.
Blender Top Features
3D Modelling: Build intricate 3D-printed models with precision.
Digital Drawing & Raster Graphics Editing: Unleash your creativity using skillfully designed tools that allow for unique artistry and texturing.
Simulation Capabilities: Indulge in the detailed creation of soft bodies, fluid, smoke and particle simulation, and ensure the most accurate animation possible.
Rendering & Video Editing: Complete your projects with Blender’s robust rendering tools like the acclaimed Eevee renderer and finalize your experience with video editing and compositing features.
Developed By
Dutch animation studio NeoGeo
Main Developer
Ton Roosendaal
Supported OS
Linux, macOS, Windows, BSD, Haiku
Blender Limitations
The scalable learning curve can be overwhelming for beginners.
Depreciation of Blender Game Engine in 2.8 release can be a disadvantage for game developers.
Removal of Blender Internal in favor of Eevee renderer may require adaptation for older users.
Blender Pricing
Reflective of its community-driven ethos, Blender remains proudly free and open-source, ensured by the non-profit Blender Foundation.
Blender Use Cases
Use Case 1 – Visual Effects
Ideal for creating stunning visual effects, with Blender’s high fidelity fluid and smoke simulation features you can create immersive environments for films or virtual reality applications.
Use Case 2 – 3D-Printed Models
For 3D model enthusiasts, Blender offers intricate 3D modelling tools, helping craft detailed 3D-printed masterpieces.
Use Case 3 – Animated Films
Blender’s animation, rigging and skinning features provide comprehensive resources for the development of bespoke animated films.
Substance
Launched by Adobe, Substance is a comprehensive 3D collection suite, integrating various tools aimed at artists, developers, and engineers keen on 3D model texturing. Notably utilized in big-name games and Hollywood movies, Substance earns its place among the preferred tools.
Substance Top Features
Substance Designer: Ideal for creating meshes and materials. Flaunts a node-based system and offers industry-standard materials, lights, and image filters.
Substance Painter: Perfect for texturing, layering, and painting materials. Comes with automatic UV unwrapping, smart materials/masks, color management,
Substance 3D Stager: A beginners tool for laying out, lighting, and rendering 3D scenes.
Procedural modelling: Added to Substance 3D Designer specifically, adding more versatility to the toolkit.
Integration
Access
Integrated into Adobe Bridge, enhancing workflow compatibility
Subscribers get access to extensive 3D asset library
Seamless integration within Adobe Creative Cloud
Substance Modeler VR currently available in private beta
Substance Limitations
Feedback from indie developers indicate that pricing is deemed too steep, ranging from $25 to $200 per month.
Mudbox and 3D-Coat are often mentioned as more valued alternatives due to better value for money.
Concerns raised about limits on non-commercial versions, restricting content output.
Substance Pricing
Substance 3D Texturing subscriptions cost $19.99/month or $219.88/year. A full subscription for the entire Substance 3D Collection costs $49.99/month or $549.88/year.
Substance Use Cases
Game Development
Substance has proven its worth in high-end games like Uncharted 4, Horizon Zero Dawn, Death Stranding, and Forza Horizon 4 due to its suite of texturing and modelling tools.
Visual Effects for Movies
Substance Designer had been utilized in movies like Spider-Man: Far From Home, Zombieland 2, Game of Thrones, Frozen II, and Men in Black: International for crafting stunning visual effects.
Graphic Design
Graphic designers can leverage Substance’s vast assets and intuitive tools to create immersive 3D environments and models.
Patrick Daugherty
Content writer @ Aircada. Merging AR expertise with a love for late-night gaming sessions.
