AC3D vs Autodesk Mudbox

AC3D is desktop 3D design software for creating models, prototypes, virtual reality simulations, and data visualisations. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with animation tools, rendering, and 3D print export. Modeling features include subdivision surfaces, UV mapping, 2D and 3D text, boolean operations, polygon reduction, and object hierarchy. It imports and exports formats including 3D Studio, Collada, DirectX, DXF, OBJ, STL, VRML, and X3D. A software development kit and plugin interface allow additions such as file formats and other functionality. An optional plugin adds animation capability for X-Plane models on Windows, Mac, and Linux. AC3D also lists support for 3Dconnexion mice on Windows. A 14-day trial is available. The maker lists one-time prices of $99.00 USD for Home / Student and $99.00 USD for Commercial / Group (5 users/seats); other listed seats have different prices. Purchases are non-refundable, and the software is delivered by download with the license emailed after purchase.

Autodesk Mudbox is desktop software for 3D sculpting and painting, used to create detailed characters and environments with textures. Artists can build production-quality meshes from scanned, imported, or sculpted data, paint across multiple channels on 3D models, and add mesh resolution where needed. Retopology tools help create clean production meshes, and the layer-based workflow supports work on high-resolution models and textures. Mudbox also supports 3D print export. Autodesk identifies professional VFX and game studios among its users. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The 2026 requirements specify Windows 10 version 1809 or later and Windows 11, macOS 13.x through 15.x, Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 8.10, 9.3, and 9.5, and Rocky Linux 8.10, 9.3, and 9.5. Hardware requirements include a 64-bit Intel or AMD multi-core processor, 4 GB RAM, 2 GB free disk space, and a three-button mouse; 8 GB or more RAM is recommended. There is no free plan, but a 30-day trial is available.