Autodesk Mudbox vs CadQuery
Autodesk Mudbox
autodesk.com
CadQuery
cadquery.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | Autodesk Mudbox | CadQuery |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 9 | 1 |
| Spec score · 3D modeling software | 9.2 (#7) | 8.0 (#75) |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Installation | Mudbox 2024 runs on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, with Rosetta 2 required for the Intel-based installer on Apple Silicon. | CadQuery can be installed with conda or pip; its documentation calls conda the better tested and more mature option. |
| Intended users | Autodesk says Mudbox is used by professional VFX and game studios to create high-resolution meshes and textures. | The project presents script-based modeling in a standard programming language as an approach for people who want customizable models and versionable, shareable code. |
| Platform access | desktop | desktop |
| 3D print export | Yes | Yes |
Plans
Autodesk Mudbox
- SubscriptionPriced on request
- SubscriptionPrice not published
- SubscriptionPriced on request
- Autodesk Education accessFree
- Mudbox free trialFree
- Mudbox 2-year$160 a year
- Mudbox 3-year$240 a year
- Annual subscriptionPrice not published
- Monthly subscriptionPrice not published
In their own words
Autodesk Mudbox
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.
CadQuery
CadQuery has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.