Blender vs K-3D
Blender
blender.orgK-3D
k-3d.orgSide by side
| Figure | Blender | K-3D |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · 3D modeling software | 8.9 (#13) | 7.7 (#108) |
| Spec score · Animation Software | 8.9 (#13) | 7.6 (#87) |
| Spec score · 3D Animation Software | 8.6 (#7) | 7.9 (#20) |
| Animation tools | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| License | Blender is distributed under the GNU GPL, which permits users to use, distribute, study, and modify it, with source publication required when distributing modified versions. | The source code is available under the GNU General Public License. |
| Modeling | Modeling features include modifiers, UV unwrapping, mesh painting, and Python scripting for custom tools and add-ons. | The site describes mirroring one side of a model and welding the result into a subdivision surface in real time. |
| Platform access | desktop | desktop |
| Render engine | Blender includes the Cycles built-in unbiased path-tracer engine. | external |
| Rendering | Cycles is Blender’s ray-trace based production render engine, with CPU and GPU rendering and support for multiple GPUs. | The site describes native RenderMan support integrated with the K-3D interface. |
| Support | Support resources include an online manual, developer documentation, Python API reference, tutorials, community forums, and enterprise support for Blender LTS releases through Canonical. | The site points users to forums, a development mailing list, or issue submission for help. |
Plans
In their own words
Blender
Blender is a free, open-source desktop suite for 3D creation on Linux, macOS and Windows. It covers modeling, sculpting, UV editing, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, motion tracking, video editing and game asset creation. Modeling tools include modifiers, UV unwrapping and mesh editing; sculpting includes 20 brush types, multi-resolution work, dynamic topology and mirrored sculpting. Animation features include rigging, a pose editor, non-linear animation and forward and inverse kinematics. Users can draw in 2D in a 3D viewport and combine 2D and 3D work. The built-in Cycles renderer supports CPU and GPU rendering, real-time viewport previews, PBR shaders, HDR lighting and VR rendering. Blender also includes camera and object tracking with masking and live scene previews. Advanced users can customize the application and build tools or add-ons through its Python API. Blender is licensed under the GNU GPL and owned by its contributors. It can run without installation or an internet connection, including from a USB stick or desktop folder.
K-3D
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.