ActCAD Software vs. Adobe Substance 3D Collection

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
ActCAD Software
Score 8.9 out of 10
N/A
ActCAD is a 2D & 3D CAD software with two product options: - ActCAD Standard for 2D Drafting Power Users - ActCAD Professional for 2D Drafting & 3D ACIS Modeling Users - ActCAD Prime for 2D Drafting, 3D Modeling, and AEC Objects (walls, doors, windows, staircases, roofs, floors, etc.) ActCAD can be used for applications across domains of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) including Structural, Electrical, and…
$199
one-time fee per user
Adobe Substance 3D Collection
Score 9.3 out of 10
N/A
Adobe Substance 3D is a suite of apps that support 3D design, including texture assets and rendering tools. Workflows can connect to Adobe Creative Cloud apps.N/A
Pricing
ActCAD SoftwareAdobe Substance 3D Collection
Editions & Modules
ActCAD 2023 Standard
$199
one-time fee per user
ActCAD 2023 Prime
$349
one-time fee per user
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
ActCAD SoftwareAdobe Substance 3D Collection
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesNo
Entry-level Setup Fee$199 one-time fee per userNo setup fee
Additional Details——
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
ActCAD SoftwareAdobe Substance 3D Collection
Top Pros

No answers on this topic

Best Alternatives
ActCAD SoftwareAdobe Substance 3D Collection
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Score 9.3 out of 10
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Score 9.3 out of 10
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Score 9.3 out of 10
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User Ratings
ActCAD SoftwareAdobe Substance 3D Collection
Likelihood to Recommend
8.8
(3 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
ActCAD SoftwareAdobe Substance 3D Collection
Likelihood to Recommend
ActCAD LLC
Some dimensions move for no apparent reason. 3d modeling could be improved upon. As a 2D program I use it daily and prefer it to 3D modeling programs for drawing details.
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Adobe
It's great if you don't want to mess around trying fixes or subpar software. Adobe Substance 3D is the default, and it just works when you need it. From textures to complex materials, it gets the job done with no worries. It's really good for new users, because the new UI features they implemented simplify the software a lot, and the learning curve is gentle. It is well suited for game development, renders, and top-notch material creation. One of the main features we use is the creation of dynamic materials that have different colors on the edges. This is useful because it adds a lot of realism, for example, in metals.
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Pros
ActCAD LLC
  • This is one of the most complete packages that I've used, very intuitive, thus saying user-friendly is somewhat on the mild side, as it is a pleasure to use
  • Functionality is straightforward and all pertinent information are right on the screen
  • Its ease-of-use cuts down on documentation time thus allowing me to spend more time where it's really needed
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Adobe
  • Great performance
  • Excellent Adobe support
  • Fast and easy
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Cons
ActCAD LLC
  • My major complaint is sometimes the dimensions do not stay where I place them.
  • 3D modeling is complicated for me.
  • Need to specify wall types and be able to create custom walls.
  • Need to have a roof manager to make trusses or hand-stack framing.
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Adobe
  • Sometimes, it can take a lot to load heavy files
  • It could be better at the time of exporting, it requires a pro user to make it right
  • The interface can be messy if you're not familiar with it
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Alternatives Considered
ActCAD LLC
It's the best alternative to cost-prohibitive CAD software.
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Adobe
For texturing, Adobe Substance 3D is much better than the other options. In other fields, it's another story. I find it excellent for game engines and realistic renders, but it only solves textures. We, then, move to Blender because it has more compatibility with exports, and we can import them into our preferred render engine. We mostly use Unreal Engine, but also Blender3D to do the final rendering.
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Return on Investment
ActCAD LLC
  • Its ease-of-use allows me more time to focus on project needs and completion
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Adobe
  • We saved time when texturing models
  • With better looking assets, it's more money in the bank
  • Less time testing, more time doing
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ScreenShots

ActCAD Software Screenshots

Screenshot of ActCAD 2023 PrimeScreenshot of ActCAD 2023 StandardScreenshot of STL FileScreenshot of KML/KMZ FileScreenshot of 3D PDF ExportScreenshot of Sheet set Manager