For professional 3D sculpting on mobile, Nomad Sculpt excels due to its intuitive interface and extensive toolset. Yet, Shapr3D is superior for CAD modeling with adaptive UI and wide exporting options. Choose based on your design needs: complex sculpting or precise engineering.

Differences of Nomad Sculpt and Shapr3D

Key Differences Between Nomad Sculpt and Shapr3D

  • Focus: Nomad Sculpt is a high-quality sculpting app, Shapr3D is a 3D CAD modeling software.
  • Interface: Nomad Sculpt integrates an easy-to-use, customizable mobile interface while Shapr3D features an adaptive UI.
  • Export Options: Nomad Sculpt supports glTF, OBJ, STL formats while Shapr3D supports multiple formats including X_T, STEP, STL, and OBJ.
  • Pricing: Nomad Sculpt is free on Android, $14.99 on Apple Store; Shapr3D offers free and $239 annual subscription.
  • User Base: Both are suitable for professionals but Nomad Sculpt caters to a wider user base including beginners and intermediates.
Comparison Nomad Sculpt Shapr3D
Type 3D modeling, texturing, rendering mobile app 3D CAD Modeling App
Key Tools Multiple sculpting tools, vertex painting, material preset management, multiresolution sculpting, dynamic topology, primitive shapes creation Adaptive UI, sketch engine, geometric Parasolid modeling kernel
File Formats Supported glTF, OBJ, STL (Layers and PBR painting through GLTF files) Import: SLDPRT, STL, STEP, IGES, X_T, 2D DWG, 2D DXF, JPG, PNG. Export: X_T, STEP, STL, OBJ, 2D DXF, 2D DWG, IGES, 3MF, SVG
Usability Intuitive, customizable interface with high-quality rendering. High battery drain. Adaptive UI that allows for designing anytime.
Price Free on Android, $14.99 on Apple store Subscription options ranging from free version to $239 annual price
Audience Review Deemed value for money, with quality end-product. Better autosave feature requested. Rated 4.8 out 5, 2.4K ratings on Apple Store. Ideal for “makers” and hobbyists with 3D printers
Professional Use Can be used for professional-level model creation, 3D printing, import/export, and retopology in other software Efficient for professionals like 3D designers, mechanical engineers, and industrial designers

What Is Nomad Sculpt and Who’s It For?

Nomad Sculpt is a mobile application renowned for 3D modeling and texturing. Being a comprehensive platform equipped with sculpting and painting tools, it provides an intuitive interface for vertex painting, sculpting, rendering, and primitive shapes creation. It’s designed for a range of users, from beginners to professionals in 3D modeling and sculpting, offering scalability for professional usage and an accompanying coursework for beginners.

Colorful depiction of a 3D model created using Nomad Sculpt at a workspace

Pros of Nomad Sculpt

  • Easy-to-use and customizable mobile interface.
  • Offers a large variety of sculpting tools.
  • Provides multiresolution sculpting and voxel remeshing.
  • Capable of rendering high-quality models.
  • Saves and opens in multiple formats.

Cons of Nomad Sculpt

  • High battery drain reported by users.
  • Lack of fine control over model topology.
  • Limited customization options in materials and UVs.
  • Limited to iOS devices.
  • Tends to struggle with detailed aspects such as hair, fabric, fur.

What Is Shapr3D and Who’s It For?

Revolutionizing the world of 3D CAD Modeling, Shapr3D is an application that delivers precise model creation with its adaptive UI. It streamlines the sketch-to-model process, allowing designs created anytime, anywhere. Shapr3D is ideal for professional 3D designers, mechanical engineers, and industrial designers, making it a tool of choice for hobbyists with 3D printers to the seasoned professionals.

Colorful imagined scenario of an engineer using Shapr3D at an industrial design studio

Pros of Shapr3D

  • Creates accurate models quickly through its adaptive UI.
  • Supports multiple export and import formats.
  • Offers efficient designing with wide exporting options.
  • Saves work and allows for easy switching between projects.
  • Highly rated by users on the Apple Store.

Cons of Shapr3D

  • Dependent on annual subscription costs.
  • Runs natively only on Apple Pro Products.
  • Free version has limited features.

Nomad Sculpt vs Shapr3D: Pricing

An examination of the pricing model between Nomad Sculpt and Shapr3D reveals Nomad Sculpt to be considerably cheaper with a price tag of $14.99, while Shapr3D employs a subscription model, where the annual cost peaks at $239.

Nomad Sculpt

Available for free on Android and priced at $14.99 in the Apple store, Nomad Sculpt offers robust 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering tools. Although the price has increased since August 10, 2020, users regard the software as valuable for its price, usability, and end product quality. There is also an optional course available for beginners at $47 USD which teaches core 3D sculpting basics.

Shapr3D

Shapr3D functions via a subscription model, where users have a choice between a free version and a version that costs $239 annually. This superior CAD modeling app boasts adaptive UI and a range of importing and exporting options, making it the choice of 80% of professional 3D designers, mechanical engineers, and industrial designers.

The Final Verdict: Nomad Sculpt vs Shapr3D

In the high-stakes showdown between Nomad Sculpt and Shapr3D, we see two heavyweight 3D modeling apps targeting different segments of the creative industry. Which reigns supreme? Let’s explore.

The Professional 3D Sculpting Affiliate

Are you a professional 3D artist focused on creating detailed original sculptures? Nomad Sculpt is your optimal choice. Itsintuitive interface, wide array of sculpting tools, and multiresolution sculpting capabilities enable meticulous designs. It’s a powerhouse mobile tool, priced affordably for the quality of artifacts it can produce. Note the battery-draining menace though.

Professional sculptor creating 3D model using Nomad Sculpt on iPad

The 3D Printer Hobbyists

For hobbyists armed with 3D printers and craving for fast transitions from sketches to models, Shapr3D holds the upper edge. Its compatibility with Apple Pro Products and wide range of export formats exponentially simplify your 3D printing process. Moreover, it’s adaptive UI and direct saving capability make designing a breeze.

3D printer hobbyist designing a model on Shapr3D

Niche Game Asset Developers

If you wish to create game assets, Nomad Sculpt might disappoint with its difficulty in posing models. Opt for a different tool altogether if that’s your primary goal.

Game maker grappling with model posing in Nomad Sculpt

In the clash of Titans: Nomad Sculpt vs Shapr3D, both technologies display strong suits in distinct areas. Nomad Sculpt, with its profound capabilities, best serves those endeavoring in high-quality 3D artistry. Meanwhile, 3D printer hobbyists and those seeking swift design-efficient solutions would find a better companion in Shapr3D. Ultimately, choose according to your foremost requirements.

Grant Sullivan

Content writer @ Aircada and self proclaimed board game strategist by day, AI developer by night.