Curvy 3D vs R3DS Wrap

Curvy 3D is a Windows sketch-based sculpting program aimed at first-time 3D artists. Users draw profiles and curves to make rounded or organic forms, then refine surfaces with Inflate, Deflate, Pinch, Smooth and Flatten warp brushes. Adaptive subdivision adds mesh detail where needed while controlling triangle counts. The program supports manual retopology, multiresolution sculpting and voxel sculpting. Texture tools paint color, specular and bump maps in 3D views or on 2D textures. Image Inflate converts silhouettes or greyscale images into 3D models using heightmap, bubble, bevel or extrude styles. Models export as OBJ for rendering or animation in software such as Blender. The maker also describes use with Blender or Bryce and importing characters from Poser or Daz. Curvy 3D 5 is listed for Microsoft Windows and requires a DirectX 8.0-compatible 3D graphics card. Aartform offers a free 30-day demo; the Curvy 3D 5 plan is a one-time purchase with price varying by location. Aartform describes itself as an independent London game development studio founded in 2003, and directs questions to its forum.

R3DS Wrap nonrigidly fits an existing base mesh to a 3D scan and provides tools for scan processing, including decimation, mesh filtering and texture projection. Its node-graph architecture lets users save a processing recipe and apply it to an unlimited number of other scans. Listed uses include digital characters, scan-based blendshapes, autorigging starting points and virtual fitting rooms. Documentation covers batch processing and a command-line interface for computing project files, with instructions for Windows and Linux. Wrap can import cameras from Agisoft Metashape, Reality Capture and FBX-exporting software such as Maya or Blender. A license server supports floating seats shared across computers. An individual license can be installed on two computers owned by its user, but not used on both at once. The Wrapping node requires manifold topology and one connected piece of geometry; the FAQ recommends base meshes under 100K polygons. Wrap runs on Windows and Linux. A 30-day evaluation trial and free student or education license are listed, with limits on use. Paid annual and perpetual options are available.