Cascadeur vs K-3D
Cascadeur
cascadeur.comK-3D
k-3d.orgSide by side
| Figure | Cascadeur | K-3D |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $8/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 8 | 1 |
| Spec score · Animation Software | 9.4 (#2) | 7.6 (#87) |
| Spec score · 3D Animation Software | 9.2 (#1) | 7.9 (#20) |
| Animation tools | The Free plan includes animation, rigging, physics-based, inbetweening, and animation unbaking tools. | Yes |
| Documentation | Official help includes installation, getting started, interface, tools, animation, rigging, tutorials, videos, FAQ and release notes. | Documentation is available through an archived wiki. |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Support | Support is offered through Discord, email, documentation and plan-specific priority or dedicated chat channels. | The site points users to forums, a development mailing list, or issue submission for help. |
Plans
Cascadeur
- FreeFree
- Indie$19 a month
- Pro$49 a month
- Teams$49 a month
- Educational$49, paid once
- Indie$96 a year
- Pro$396 a year
- Teams$396 a year
In their own words
Cascadeur
Cascadeur is physics-based 3D animation software for creating character animation without motion capture. Its Free plan includes animation, rigging, physics-based tools, inbetweening, and animation unbaking, but exports only to CASC. Paid plan comparisons list FBX, DAE, USD, and GLTF/GLB exports. The software is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and iOS, and its documentation covers workflows with Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine, and Daz Studio. Unreal Engine Live Link streams animation from Cascadeur in real time; its plugin requires a separate manual download and installation. Cascadeur 2026.1 introduced an AI-powered Root Motion Tool that transfers motion style using signatures from reference animation. Minimum requirements include 4 GB memory and OpenGL 4.1, plus a 64-bit multi-core Intel or AMD processor on Windows or Linux, or an M-series processor on macOS. Users must sign in after installation with Google or a Cascadeur account. Plans include a free option and paid tiers, with the listed annual starting rate at $8 per month; Pro and Teams include a 14-day trial.
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.