Modo 3D vs formZ

Last Updated:

Our analysts compared Modo 3D vs formZ based on data from our 400+ point analysis of 3D Design Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

Modo 3D is a sophisticated software tool designed for 3D modeling, sculpting, and rendering, offering a comprehensive suite of features that cater to artists and designers. It is particularly well-suited for professionals in the gaming, animation, and visual effects industries due to its intuitive interface and powerful rendering capabilities. Users appreciate its advanced modeling tools, which allow for intricate detail and precision, as well as its flexible workflow that enhances creativity and efficiency. Modo 3D stands out with its procedural modeling capabilities and customizable user interface, which can be tailored to fit specific project needs. Compared to similar products, users often highlight its ease of use and robust feature set. Pricing details can vary, so it's advisable for potential users to contact SelectHub for a personalized quote based on their specific requirements. Modo 3D remains a popular choice for those seeking a versatile and dynamic 3D modeling solution.
read more...
formZ is a sophisticated 3D modeling software that excels in creating detailed and precise architectural designs, product visualizations, and complex geometries. It is particularly well-suited for architects, industrial designers, and digital artists who require a robust tool for rendering and animation. The software's unique strengths lie in its intuitive interface, advanced modeling capabilities, and comprehensive toolset that supports both solid and surface modeling. Users appreciate its flexibility in handling both simple and intricate projects, making it a versatile choice in the design industry. Compared to similar products, formZ is praised for its precision and ease of use, although some users note a steeper learning curve. Pricing details are not readily available, so potential users are encouraged to contact SelectHub for a tailored quote. Overall, formZ stands out for its powerful features and adaptability in professional 3D modeling applications.
read more...
$1,484 One-Time
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
$219 Annually
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Enhanced Creativity: Modo 3D's intuitive interface and flexible toolset empower artists to explore and experiment with their designs, fostering a creative workflow that encourages innovation.
  • Efficient Workflow: The software integrates modeling, sculpting, and rendering tools in one platform, streamlining the process and reducing the need to switch between multiple applications.
  • High-Quality Rendering: Modo 3D offers advanced rendering capabilities that produce photorealistic images, allowing designers to present their work with stunning visual fidelity.
  • Customizable Tools: Users can tailor the software's tools and interface to fit their specific needs, enhancing productivity by creating a personalized working environment.
  • Seamless Collaboration: Modo 3D supports various file formats and integrates well with other software, facilitating easy collaboration among team members and across different stages of a project.
  • Robust Animation Features: The software provides comprehensive animation tools, enabling users to create complex animations with precision and control.
  • Scalability: Modo 3D is suitable for both small-scale projects and large, complex scenes, making it a versatile choice for studios of all sizes.
  • Community Support: A vibrant community of users and developers offers a wealth of resources, tutorials, and plugins, enhancing the learning curve and expanding the software's capabilities.
  • Cost-Effective Solution: Compared to other high-end 3D software, Modo 3D offers a competitive pricing model, providing excellent value for its comprehensive feature set.
  • Real-Time Feedback: The software's real-time viewport rendering allows artists to see immediate results of their changes, facilitating a more interactive and responsive design process.
  • Advanced Sculpting Tools: Modo 3D includes powerful sculpting features that enable detailed and intricate model creation, suitable for both organic and hard-surface modeling.
  • Non-Destructive Workflow: The software supports a non-destructive workflow, allowing users to make changes without permanently altering the original model, thus preserving creative flexibility.
  • Comprehensive UV Mapping: Modo 3D offers advanced UV mapping tools that simplify the process of texturing models, ensuring high-quality texture application and minimizing distortion.
  • Innovative Procedural Modeling: The software's procedural modeling capabilities allow for the creation of complex structures and patterns with ease, enhancing efficiency and creativity.
  • Time-Saving Automation: Modo 3D includes scripting and automation features that can streamline repetitive tasks, freeing up time for more creative endeavors.
read more...
  • Enhanced Precision: formZ offers advanced modeling tools that allow for meticulous control over geometry, ensuring accuracy in complex designs.
  • Versatile Modeling Capabilities: Supports a wide range of modeling techniques, from solid and surface modeling to parametric and polygonal modeling, catering to diverse project needs.
  • Intuitive Interface: The user-friendly interface reduces the learning curve, enabling designers to focus on creativity rather than software navigation.
  • Robust Rendering Engine: Integrated rendering tools produce high-quality visualizations, helping stakeholders visualize the final product effectively.
  • Comprehensive Material Library: Access to an extensive library of materials and textures allows for realistic representation of design concepts.
  • Seamless Integration: formZ supports various file formats, facilitating smooth collaboration with other software and enhancing workflow efficiency.
  • Dynamic Component Management: The ability to create and manage reusable components streamlines the design process and ensures consistency across projects.
  • Advanced Animation Tools: Enables the creation of dynamic presentations and walkthroughs, providing a compelling way to showcase designs.
  • Customizable Work Environment: Users can tailor the workspace to their preferences, improving productivity and comfort during long design sessions.
  • Efficient Collaboration Features: Built-in tools for sharing and reviewing designs enhance teamwork and communication among project stakeholders.
  • Extensive Support and Resources: Access to tutorials, forums, and customer support ensures users can resolve issues and continue progressing with their projects.
  • Scalable for Various Industries: Suitable for architecture, interior design, product design, and more, making it a versatile tool for professionals across sectors.
  • Cost-Effective Solution: Offers a comprehensive set of features at a competitive price point, providing value for both small firms and large enterprises.
  • Regular Updates and Improvements: Continuous development ensures the software remains cutting-edge, incorporating user feedback and technological advancements.
  • Enhanced Visualization Tools: Tools like real-time rendering and virtual reality integration help in creating immersive design experiences.
read more...
  • MeshFusion: A powerful Boolean toolset that allows for intuitive and precise modeling by combining meshes seamlessly.
  • Procedural Modeling: Offers a non-destructive workflow, enabling users to make changes at any stage of the modeling process.
  • Advanced UV Mapping: Provides a comprehensive set of tools for creating and editing UV maps, ensuring efficient texture mapping.
  • Sculpting Tools: Includes a range of brushes and tools for detailed sculpting, allowing for high-resolution surface detailing.
  • Rendering Engine: Features a physically-based rendering engine that produces photorealistic images with accurate lighting and shading.
  • Animation Capabilities: Supports character animation with features like inverse kinematics, rigging, and keyframe animation.
  • Shader Tree: A node-based system for creating complex materials and textures, offering flexibility and control over the appearance of 3D models.
  • Topology Tools: Provides retopology tools for optimizing mesh geometry, crucial for creating clean and efficient models.
  • Customizable Interface: Allows users to tailor the workspace to their preferences, enhancing productivity and ease of use.
  • Integration with Other Software: Supports various file formats and integrates with other 3D applications, facilitating a smooth workflow across different platforms.
  • Particle System: Enables the creation of complex particle effects, useful for simulating natural phenomena like smoke and fire.
  • 3D Painting: Offers tools for painting directly onto 3D models, streamlining the texturing process.
  • Performance Optimization: Features tools for optimizing scenes and models, ensuring efficient rendering and real-time performance.
  • Community and Support: Backed by a robust community and extensive documentation, providing resources and assistance for users at all levels.
read more...
  • Advanced 3D Modeling Tools: Offers a comprehensive suite of tools for creating complex 3D models, including NURBS, subdivision surfaces, and parametric modeling.
  • Dynamic Interface: The interface is highly customizable, allowing users to tailor the workspace to their specific needs and streamline their workflow.
  • Robust Rendering Engine: Includes a powerful rendering engine that supports photorealistic rendering with global illumination and ambient occlusion.
  • Precision Drawing: Provides precise drawing capabilities with snapping, guides, and grids to ensure accuracy in model creation.
  • Extensive Material Library: Comes with a vast library of pre-defined materials and textures, which can be easily applied to models for realistic finishes.
  • Animation Tools: Features basic animation tools that allow users to create simple animations and walkthroughs of their models.
  • Comprehensive Import/Export Options: Supports a wide range of file formats, including DWG, DXF, STL, OBJ, and more, facilitating seamless integration with other software.
  • Parametric Modeling: Enables users to create models with adjustable parameters, allowing for easy modifications and iterations.
  • Boolean Operations: Offers advanced Boolean operations for combining and subtracting shapes, enhancing the modeling process.
  • Interactive Visualization: Provides real-time visualization tools that help users evaluate their designs as they work, improving decision-making.
  • Scriptable Interface: Supports scripting with Python, allowing for automation of repetitive tasks and customization of workflows.
  • Comprehensive Documentation: Includes detailed documentation and tutorials to assist users in mastering the software's features and tools.
  • Collaborative Features: Facilitates collaboration with features that allow multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously.
  • Advanced Lighting Controls: Offers sophisticated lighting controls, including area lights, spotlights, and HDRI lighting for enhanced realism.
  • Layer Management: Provides robust layer management tools to organize and control the visibility of different elements within a model.
  • 3D Printing Support: Includes tools for preparing models for 3D printing, ensuring they meet the necessary specifications and requirements.
  • Terrain Modeling: Features tools for creating and manipulating terrain models, useful for architectural and landscape design.
  • Customizable Shortcuts: Allows users to set custom keyboard shortcuts, improving efficiency and speed during the modeling process.
  • Comprehensive Support: Offers access to a dedicated support team and community forums for troubleshooting and advice.
read more...

Product Ranking

#15

among all
3D Design Software

#16

among all
3D Design Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

72
62
95
39
80
97
93
100
Show More Show More
Integrations
Texturing and Shading
Animation and Rigging
Platform Capabilities
Rendering and Visualization
Platform Capabilities
Modeling and Sculpting

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Modo 3D
formZ
+ Add Product + Add Product
Animation And Rigging Modeling And Sculpting Platform Capabilities Rendering And Visualization Texturing And Shading 95 80 93 93 100 39 97 100 71 67 0 25 50 75 100
100%
0%
0%
33%
0%
67%
80%
0%
20%
90%
10%
0%
86%
0%
14%
100%
0%
0%
86%
0%
14%
57%
14%
29%
100%
0%
0%
67%
0%
33%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

100%
0%
0%
57%
14%
29%
0%
0%
100%
20%
0%
80%

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Modo 3D and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Texturing and Shading and Integrations.

Texturing and Shading Award
Integrations Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated formZ and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Modeling and Sculpting and Platform Capabilities.

Modeling and Sculpting Award
Platform Capabilities Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Intuitive Modeling: Modo is lauded for its direct and procedural modeling toolsets, making it efficient for both quick design explorations and detailed asset creation.
High-Quality Rendering: Modo's built-in rendering engine is often praised for its quality and speed, allowing users to achieve impressive results efficiently. The inclusion of OctaneRender further enhances this capability.
Efficient UV Editing: Users highlight Modo's UV tools as being particularly user-friendly, simplifying a task that can often be tedious in 3D modeling.
Customization Options: Modo allows for extensive customization of both its interface and tools, enabling users to tailor their workflow for maximum efficiency and comfort.
Show more
User-Friendly Design: formZ is renowned for its user-friendly interface, making it enjoyable to use, particularly on Mac systems.
Flexible Modeling Approach: The software excels in combining solid and surface modeling, enabling a fluid workflow for various design tasks.
Unique Features: formZ offers distinctive tools like pushing/pulling shapes on surfaces and creating solids with cavities, setting it apart in specific modeling scenarios.
Perpetual Licensing: Unlike subscription-based models, formZ provides perpetual licensing, which can be cost-effective for users seeking long-term ownership.
Show more
Stability Issues: Modo users have reported experiencing frequent crashes, particularly with the Modo 17 release. These stability problems can disrupt workflow and lead to decreased productivity.
UV Workflow Challenges: While Modo offers tools for working with UVs, users have mentioned encountering bugs and crashes during this process. This can make UV editing cumbersome and time-consuming.
Limited History Functionality: Compared to software like Maya or Blender, Modo's history function is less robust. This can make certain modeling tasks, such as adjusting geometry that follows a curve, more difficult to execute in Modo.
Show more
Limited Plug-ins and Extras: formZ lacks a wide selection of plug-ins and extensions, which can limit its functionality for specialized tasks compared to competitors with more extensive libraries.
Absence of Advanced Features: The software may not natively support certain advanced features found in competitors, such as specific BIM functionalities, potentially requiring workarounds or limiting its suitability for certain projects.
Lower Market Visibility: formZ has lower market awareness compared to more popular 3D modeling software, which could result in a smaller community for support and resource sharing.
Show more

Is Modo 3D the mode of choice for 3D artists? User reviews from the past year paint a somewhat pixelated picture. Modo earns praise for its robust modeling capabilities, particularly its prowess in subdivision surface modeling, a technique frequently used in film and game development for creating smooth, organic shapes. Users rave about the intuitive interface and customizable tools, highlighting the efficient workflow and hotkey system that make Modo a joy to use. The integrated renderer also receives accolades for its speed and quality, enabling artists to achieve professional-grade results without relying on third-party solutions. However, Modo's shine seems to dull when it comes to other aspects. A recurring complaint is the software's stability, with users reporting frequent crashes, especially when working on complex scenes. This instability can be a major roadblock, hindering productivity and causing frustration. Additionally, while Modo's modeling tools are top-notch, its texturing and fluid simulation capabilities are considered subpar compared to competitors like Blender or Houdini. Users often find themselves turning to other software for these tasks, disrupting the workflow and adding another layer of complexity. Modo's strength lies in its modeling prowess and user-friendly interface, making it a solid choice for artists focused on subdivision surface modeling, particularly for film and game assets. However, the persistent stability issues and weaknesses in areas like texturing might give pause to those seeking a more well-rounded 3D package.

Show more

Is formZ the solution to use for 3D modeling, or does it fall flat? User reviews from the past year reveal a mixed bag. While formZ is praised for its user-friendly interface and powerful modeling tools, it grapples with a significant drawback: a lackluster plugin ecosystem compared to competitors like Rhino3D. This limitation is a dealbreaker for many, as plugins are essential for extending functionality and streamlining workflows. For instance, one user lamented the absence of visual scripting capabilities, a feature often provided by plugins in other software. Despite this shortcoming, formZ shines in its intuitive design. Users highlight the right-click help feature for tools as a standout, making it easy to learn and use, even for beginners. Additionally, its affordability, particularly the perpetual licensing option, makes it a tempting choice for hobbyists and small businesses. One user praised its speed in creating basic geometry and architectural designs, emphasizing its practicality for smaller projects. In conclusion, formZ is best suited for individual users or small teams who prioritize ease of use and cost-effectiveness over a vast plugin library. It's like a reliable toolbox with all the essential tools for basic 3D modeling, but you might need to improvise if you're tackling more specialized tasks.

Show more

Screenshots

Top Alternatives in 3D Design Software


3DCoat

3ds Max

Adobe Dimension

Autodesk Maya

Blender 3D

Cinema 4D

Coohom

formZ

Houdini

KeyShot Studio

LightWave 3D

Mudbox

Rhino 3D

SketchUp

Substance 3D

Unity 3D

ZBrush

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

Compare products
Comparison Report
Just drag this link to the bookmark bar.
?
Table settings