Autodesk MotionBuilder vs K-3D

Autodesk MotionBuilder is 3D character animation software for capturing, editing, and playing back complex animations. Its real-time character engine automatically creates movements for biped or human skeletons, while manipulation tools let users alter a character’s position and orientation. The listed capabilities include motion capture, motion retargeting, facial animation, animation retargeting, and character retargeting. Autodesk says professional animation and game studios use MotionBuilder to produce animations. It is designed to complement Maya and 3ds Max and exchanges data through Autodesk FBX with applications that support FBX. MotionBuilder is available for Linux and Windows. The stated minimum hardware includes a 64-bit Intel or AMD multi-core processor, 8 GB RAM, 4 GB of free disk space, and a three-button mouse. Autodesk offers a free 30-day trial, but no free plan. A subscription covers installation on up to three devices for one named user, with use limited to one computer at a time, and includes the current version plus three previous versions.

K-3D is free desktop software for 3D modeling and animation on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports procedural and parametric workflows, with interactive property changes and immediate results. A node-based visualization pipeline connects components and passes selections between modifiers. An undo tree supports both undo and redo operations. The site describes native RenderMan support within the K-3D interface, plus real-time mirroring and welding of one side of a model into a subdivision surface. Source code is released under the GNU General Public License. Downloads include macOS, Windows, and source code; development information also lists GNU/Linux, MacOS X, FreeBSD, Microsoft Windows, and other build platforms. Optional build integrations include Collada, DBus, GLX, Gnome VFS, GTS, ImageMagick, ODE, OpenCASCADE, and OpenEXR. Documentation is provided through an archived wiki, with forums, a development mailing list, and issue submission for support.