Pilgway releases 3DCoat 2024.30
Pilgway has released 3DCoat 2024.30, the latest major version of its sculpting, retopology and 3D painting application.
New features in the software include integration with photogrammetry app RealityCapture, new Array and Surface Array tools, and the option to convert normal maps to actual 3D geometry.
Part of an ongoing series of smaller updates to the 3D sculpting and painting software
Pilgway releases new builds of 3DCoat every few weeks, so the latest release is actually 3DCoat 2024.31.
However, 3DCoat 2024.30 is the more major update, and the first to get an entry in the official online changelog since the original 3DCoat 2024.
Now integrates with photogrammetry software RealityCapture
New features in 3DCoat include integration of RealityCapture, Epic Games’ photogrammetry software, which is now free to artists and studios with revenue under $1 million/year.
After installing RealityCapture, users can access its functionality directly within 3DCoat, making it possible to generate 3D models from photos or videos of real-world objects.
The raw 3D scans can then the cleaned up and retopologized using 3DCoat’s existing tools.
Sculpt room: new Array and Surface Array tools
3DCoat’s Sculpt toolset gets two new tools for creating arrays of 3D objects.
The Array tool itself distributes geometry evenly along guide curves, while Surface Array (shown above) distributes it across a 3D surface.
Potential use cases include creating repeating structures like tiles, fencing or chainmail.
Paint room: convert normal maps to actual 3D geometry
The Paint toolset gets a new option to convert the normal map to actual geometry, making it possible to reconstruct the original high-resolution sculpt from a retopologized low-res asset.
In addition, text, curves and images are now applied non-destructively, retaining their own layer settings when applied over a paint layer.
Updates to Live Booleans, the Blender AppLink and voxel export
The Live Booleans system added to the software last year gets a new option to perform volumetric Boolean operations with an additional shell.
The feature is intended for use when preparing models for 3D printing.
Pipline integration changes include support for PBR texture information when importing or exporting raw voxel data from the software.
In addition, the Blender AppLink, 3DCoat’s live link to the open-source 3D software, now has its own GitHub repository.
There are also a number of workflow and performance improvements, particularly when saving complex scenes. You can find a full list of changes via the link at the foot of the story.
Price and system requirements
3DCoat 2024 is available for Windows 7+, Ubuntu 20.04+ and macOS 10.15+.
For individuals, perpetual node-locked licenses cost €379. Subscriptions cost €20.80/month or €169.85/year. Rent to own plans require 11 continuous monthly payments of €41.60.
For studios, perpetual node-locked licenses cost €539; floating licences cost €579. Subscriptions cost €29.85/month or €299/year for node-locked licenses; €34.85/month or €319.85/year for floating licenses.
Read an overview of the new features in 3DCoat 2024.30 in the online release notes
Read a detailed list of new features in 3DCoat on the product forum
(The changelog is in the third post; posts about 3DCoat 2024.x start on page 107)
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