3DCoat 2026
Non-destructive GPU node texturing that previews materials while you sculpt.
Pilgway released 3DCoat 2026 with a non-destructive, GPU node-based texturing system. Procedural effects compile into shaders on the graphics card, and Pilgway says you can preview materials while you are still sculpting, before retopology (rebuilding the mesh with clean, lighter geometry) or UVs. The material system now covers 30 channels, and the release adds a text-based tool search, curve and pose tool improvements, and GLB export for web and engine pipelines. 3DCoat's appeal for small teams is that sculpting, retopology, UVs and texturing live in one app with a perpetual license, EUR 379 before VAT for an individual. CG Channel lists the texturing-focused 3DCoatTextura at EUR 159. The new node system will take time to learn.
3DCoat
Artists who want sculpting, retopo, UVs and texturing in one app they own outright rather than rent.