Putty 3D is an iOS app categorized under Entertainment and Productivity, offering a 3D sculpting experience with an average rating of 4.0. It supports Apple Pencil for precise work and exports creations in OBJ and STL formats for 3D printing. Despite performance issues and crashes during export, it provides an intuitive sculpting experience on compatible devices like iPad Pro and iPhone 7.
For those exploring options beyond Putty 3D, alternatives include Nomad Sculpt, Sculptura 3D, ZBrush, Sculpt, Procreate, Blender, Shapr3D.
Nomad Sculpt
If you are seeking an engaging mobile app for 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering, then Nomad Sculpt is worth exploring. Known for its intuitive and highly customizable interface, it’s a tool that has caught the attention of beginners and professionals alike.
Nomad Sculpt Top Features
Multiple sculpting tools: Includes Clay, Flatten, Smooth, Mask.
Stroke, lasso/line/curve tools: Provides precision for sharp lines. Option to save and load tool presets.
Vertex painting: Offers control over color, roughness, metalness. Material preset management option.
Multiresolution sculpting: Ensures mesh flexibility and includes voxel remeshing for a uniform level of detail.
Dynamic topology: Provides automatic level of detail and maintains layers during auto updates.
Feature
Description
Primitive shapes
Nomad Sculpt enables creation of cylinder, torus, and triplanar voxel.
Renderings
Nomad provides for great rendering capabilities. PBR, screen space reflection, depth of field, ambient occlusion and tone mapping are all included.
Saving formats
Files can be saved and opened in glTF, OBJ, STL formats. Though layers and PBR painting are only kept through GLTF files.
Nomad Sculpt Limitations
Limited to iOS devices, requires a steep learning curve for beginners.
Lacks features to create detailed objects like hair, fabric, fur.
Nomad Sculpt isn’t meant for game asset development and lacks fine control over model topology.
Users note a high battery drain while using the program.
Nomad Sculpt Pricing
Nomad Sculpt is free on Android and priced at $14.99 in the Apple store, reflecting a price increase since August 10, 2020.
Nomad Sculpt Use Cases
Use case 1 – 3D Sculpting Basics:
Nomad Sculpt offers a course for beginners at $47 USD to teach the core 3D sculpting basics making it a great tool for beginners.
Use case 2 – Professional 3D Sculpting:
Recognized for its intuitive and customizable interface, Nomad Sculpt is often used professionally for its high quality renders.
Use case 3 – 3D Printing:
Nomad Sculpt can be used for professional-level model creation, 3D printing, and import/export in other software.
Sculptura 3D
Developed by Audulus LLC, Sculptura 3D is a sophisticated clay engine tool, curated for the iPad. It boasts a high-resolution clay sculpting experience, complemented by an array of artist-tested tools, ensuring an immersive and powerful 3D sculpting journey.
Sculptura 3D Top Features
Advanced clay engine: Facilitates carefree hole cutting, without concerns over meshes or triangles.
Full GPU acceleration via Metal: Drastically speeds up the sculpting procedure.
iCloud integration: Plus, supported by the iOS 11 Files App, providing ease in file handling.
Apple Pencil compatible: Offering more precision during sculpting.
File Import/Export Support
Operating System
Alembic, OBJ, STL, USD files
iPadOS 16.4 or later, macOS 13.3 or later for Mac with Apple M1 chip
Artist-created templates
App Size: 165.5 MB
Sculptura 3D Limitations
Coarse detail modification: Can potentially damage finer details.
App size: 165.5 MB – may require substantial storage space.
Sculptura 3D Pricing
Current pricing stands at $9.99 since June 21, 2023, with prior fluctuations.
Sculptura 3D Use Cases
Use case 1
Sculptura 3D is a potent software for artists keen on creating characters, monsters, and engaging abstract art.
Use case 2
Not just for artists, Sculptura 3D serves as a drafting tool for auto manufacturers who are defining new car models.
Use case 3
Enhancing game meshes towards achieving photorealism is simplified for game developers with Sculptura 3D’s voxel-based geometry tools.
ZBrush
The Hollywood of digital sculpting, ZBrush, is an essential tool in the gaming, film, and animation industries. Packing a punch with its unique features, it’s your go-to software for whipping up everything from fur-huggable creatures to the hair-raising monsters that make Hollywood blockbusters… well, blockbusters!
ZBrush’s Top Features
Sculptris Pro: A digital sculptor’s dream, enabling dynamic tessellation for a more fluid and detailed sculpting experience.
Dynamesh: The wonder-kid of 3D modeling, allowing you to sketch out your base mesh with freedom and flexibility.
ZRemesher: Playing the role of the smart teacher that helps you generate nice and neat topology.
PolyPaint: Get ready to paint your model’s surface as smoothly as slathering butter on hot toast.
PolyGroupIt: Allowing you to group your geometry easily and intuitively.
Gizmo 3D: This geometric superhero helps with scaling, rotation, movement and more.
More Features
Uses in Industries
Hard Surface Sculpting
Game Development
Character Modeling and Posing
Film & Animation
Anatomical Sculpting
Education
ZBrush Limitations
The complexity of ZBrush could be overwhelming for beginners.
Texturing can sometimes feel limited compared to dedicated texturing programs.
ZBrush Pricing
Pricing is a little coy at ZBrush. No fixed prices were mentioned, however, they do offer licenses and courses at varying costs.
ZBrush Use Cases
Use Case 1 – Game Development
Desire to create the next Jurassic Park dino? ZBrush comes to the rescue in sculpting detailed wildlife for the gaming industry.
Use Case 2 – Film and Animation Industry
With ZBrush, artists can bring lifelike characters to the big screen, making popcorn taste better with amazing animations.
Use Case 3 – Educational Tools
From universities to online platforms like Udemy and Skillshare, ZBrush is used for teaching aspiring artists the ropes of digital sculpting and painting.
Sculpt
A pioneer in digital creativity, Sculpt uses advanced technology to craft stunning 3D models. Its tools render the process of 3D modeling almost akin to clay manipulation in real life, employing mesh-based and voxel-based geometry.
Sculpt’s Best Features
Mesh-based geometry: Offers greater adaptability to various detail levels.
Voxel-based geometry: Enables addition and removal of materials much like clay sculpting.
Multiple applications: From high poly organic modeling to designing cars and video games.
Compatibility: Works in conjunction with other 3D modeling techniques and technologies for enhanced realism.
Feature
Advantage
3D printing
Creates physical representations of digital sculptures
Virtual Remodeling
Enhances VR experiences, AI technologies, and videogame character designs
Versatile
Used across sectors like designing, engineering, architecture, biology, chemistry, and education
Sculpt’s Limitations
Lack of dedicated animation tools
Learning curve for novice users
Dependence on other software for enhanced realistic textures
Use Cases
Nurturing creativity
With a stunning blend of 3D modeling and 3D printing, Sculpt opens up avenues for fresh perspectives in digital art. Its tools fuel creativity and allow users to bring their imagination to life.
Architecture and Design
Perfect for creating detailed 3D models, Sculpt finds its place in the toolbox of architects and designers. It aids in accurate planning and real-world visualization, making comprehensive project models more feasible.
The Entertainment Industry
Sculpt plays a substantial role in gaming, virtual reality, and moviemaking. Its ability to recreate scenes and design unique, lifelike characters transforms the overall viewer experience.
Procreate
A versatile platform for digital sketches and illustrations, Procreate is a cloud-based solution that rejuvenates your creative phase. With its platform exclusive to iOS devices, it brings a specialized focus on accessibility and user-friendliness.
Procreate Top Features
Animation Assist tool for creating seamless time-lapse recordings
Extensive library of customizable brushes and effects
Text style modification and typography incorporation for intricate designs
Advanced image editing with filter adjustment, realistic blur and chromatic aberrations
Shape drawing and color-correction tools for perfect visuals
Additional Features
Value Proposition
VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, and AssistiveTouch
Improved experience and accessibility for all users
Quick Shape Feature
Simplified process for shape drawing
Photoshop Brush Support
Enlarges artistic reach by allowing imports
Procreate Limitations
Requires an Apple Pencil for optimal usage
Limited layering abilities, dependent on canvas quality and size
No free version or trial; pricing involves a one-time license fee
Procreate Pricing
Procreate comes with a single, one-time license fee of $9.99. There is no free version or trial period available.
Procreate Use Cases
Use case 1
Design and Aesthetics: Procreate’s vast assortment of brushes and effects make it a powerful asset for digital artists or graphic designers who work predominantly with iOS.
Use case 2
Note-Taking: With compatibility for assistive tools like VoiceOver and Dynamic Type, Procreate serves as an interactive tool for taking notes with a creative bend.
Use case 3
Illustrators: The combination of Photoshop brush support and stylus compatibility, particularly the Apple Pencil, makes Procreate an ideal platform for illustrators working on iOS.
Blender
Introducing Blender! This rebellious, all-in-one 3D computer graphics software tool set that’s free, and proudly open-source. It’s been used globally for animated films, visual effects, motion graphics, interactive 3D applications, and even virtual reality since its inception in 1994.
Blender Top|Best Features
3D Modelling – Creation of complex 3D structures with precision.
UV Mapping – Offers easy material application to 3D surfaces.
Digital Drawing – Supports 2D image creation and manipulation.
Rigging and Skinning – Allows realistic motion to your 3D models.
Animation – Create lifelike movements and effects.
Feature
Value
Fluid and smoke simulation
Create lifelike water or smoke effects
Video editing
Assemble footage in the sequencer
OS Support
Linux, macOS, Windows, BSD, Haiku
Blender Limitations|Disadvantages|Downsides
Not beginner-friendly – Blender’s complexity can be overwhelming for beginners.
Rendering can take longer – High quality rendering in Blender can be time consuming.
Blender Pricing
Get ready to jump for joy. Blender is entirely Free and open-source, meaning there’s no need to shell out anything.
Blender Use Cases
Use case 1: 3D Printing
From hobby enthusiasts to professionals, make use of the brilliant Blender for designing and preparing 3D models for printing.
Use case 2: Gaming
Gushing game developers, Blender can assist you in creating 3D game models, assets and animations for your next masterpiece.
Use case 3: Film Animation
Are you an aspirant animator? With Blender, create animated films that might give Pixar a run for their money.
Shapr3D
A standout in the 3D CAD modeling apps, Shapr3D is the go-to option for “makers”, hobbyists, and professionals who appreciate efficiency, accuracy, and ease in 3D design. Leveraging the power of Apple Pro Products, it ensures the uninterrupted synthesis of your creative visions.
Shapr3D Top Features
Adaptive UI for accurate models
Sketch to model process completed in hours
Seamless sync feature for anytime design
Native performance on Apple Pro Products
Extensive support for various export and import formats
Integration with Parasolid and D-Cubed engines
Rating
4.8 out of 5 (Apple Store)
Customer Demographics
80% professional 3D designers, mechanical engineers, industrial designers
Costly compared to other options (Free version available)
Runs natively only on Apple Pro Products limiting its user base
Shapr3D Pricing
Shapr3D offers a free version, with more enhanced features available at an annual subscription rate of $239, half the cost of its competitors.
Shapr3D Use Cases
Use case 1: 3D Printers
Perfect for “makers” and hobbyists with 3D printers, Shapr3D offers high-quality models that can be realised in 3D printings.
Use case 2: Mechanical Engineers
For Mechanical Engineers, Shapr3D’s precise modeling and extensive export options make it the ideal tool for designing and sharing intricate mechanical components.
Use case 3: Industrial Designers
Industrial Designers can appreciate Shapr3D’s adaptability and seamless design transitions, providing an unbroken workflow even with complex design projects.
Tiffany Brise
Content writer @ Aircada, patiently awaiting a consumer AR headset that doesn’t suck.
