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AC3D VS Unreal Engine

Compare AC3D VS Unreal Engine and see what are their differences

AC3D logo AC3D

AC3D is a 3D software for games, virtual reality and flight simulation, scientific, medical and general data visualisation, rapid prototypes of 3D designs, 3D printing, Google Earth, X-Plane, Second Life and more.

Unreal Engine logo Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine 4 is a suite of integrated tools for game developers to design and build games, simulations, and visualizations.
  • AC3D Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-23
  • Unreal Engine Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23

AC3D features and specs

  • User-friendly Interface
    AC3D features a straightforward and intuitive interface that makes it accessible to beginners and efficient for experienced users.
  • Cross-platform Compatibility
    The software is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, allowing users on different operating systems to use it without issue.
  • Low System Requirements
    AC3D can run on systems with relatively low hardware specifications, making it accessible to users with older or less powerful computers.
  • Real-time 3D Rendering
    The software provides real-time rendering capabilities, giving users immediate visual feedback as they work on their models.
  • Support for Multiple File Formats
    AC3D can import and export various file formats, increasing its compatibility with other 3D modeling and animation software.

Possible disadvantages of AC3D

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Compared to more complex software, AC3D may lack some advanced features and tools that professionals require for detailed modeling and animation.
  • No Built-in Animation
    AC3D primarily focuses on 3D modeling and does not include robust features for animation, which may limit its use for comprehensive 3D projects.
  • Less Comprehensive Documentation
    The documentation and tutorials available may not be as extensive as those for more mainstream 3D modeling programs, which could hinder learning.
  • Fewer Community Resources
    AC3D has a smaller user community compared to more popular 3D applications, resulting in fewer forums, plugins, and community-contributed resources.
  • Basic Texturing Options
    The texturing capabilities in AC3D are considered basic, which may not suffice for users looking to create highly detailed and texture-rich models.

Unreal Engine features and specs

  • High-Quality Graphics
    Unreal Engine is known for its ability to produce stunning, high-quality graphics and realistic environments, making it a preferred choice for AAA game development and high-fidelity visual projects.
  • Blueprint Visual Scripting
    Unreal Engine offers a visual scripting system called Blueprints, which allows designers to create complex game logic without any programming knowledge, streamlining the development process.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Unreal Engine provides robust support for multiple platforms, including PC, consoles, mobile devices, and VR/AR headsets, enabling developers to reach a wider audience with minimal hassle.
  • Large and Active Community
    The Unreal Engine community is large and active, offering extensive resources, tutorials, and forums which can be invaluable for troubleshooting and learning new techniques.
  • Regular Updates
    Epic Games frequently updates Unreal Engine, adding new features, improvements, and optimizations to keep developers equipped with the latest technology advancements.
  • Marketplace
    The Unreal Engine Marketplace offers a vast array of assets, ranging from 3D models to plugins, which can significantly speed up the development process by providing ready-to-use resources.

Possible disadvantages of Unreal Engine

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features and capabilities, Unreal Engine can be challenging for beginners to master, requiring a significant investment of time and effort to learn.
  • High System Requirements
    Developing with Unreal Engine often requires a powerful computer with strong hardware specifications, which can be a barrier for developers with limited resources.
  • Large File Sizes
    Unreal Engine projects can result in large file sizes, which can be cumbersome to manage, particularly in terms of storage and transfer bandwidth.
  • Complexity for Simple Projects
    For smaller or simpler projects, the capabilities of Unreal Engine might be overkill, and using it can unnecessarily complicate development when compared to lighter engines.
  • Royalty Fees
    Unreal Engine imposes a royalty fee of 5% on gross revenue after the first $1 million USD per product per year, which can impact the profitability of commercial projects.
  • Less C++ Flexibility
    While Unreal Engine supports C++, the engine imposes certain constraints and abstractions that can limit the flexibility developers might need for highly customized or optimized code.

AC3D videos

AC3D - AN OLD 3D HORSE THAT WOULDN'T DIE [REVISIT]

More videos:

  • Tutorial - FlightGear Aircraft Modeling Tutorials: Ambient Occlusions in Ac3D and Blender
  • Review - Rozdzielanie elementów Ursusa 1614 Ac3d

Unreal Engine videos

Why I switched over to Unreal Engine 4 From Unity 5

More videos:

  • Review - Unity vs Unreal Engine | Graphics, Workflow, Price, Level Design and More! (2017-2018)
  • Review - Game Development | Intro to Unreal Engine 4 | No Prior Programming Knowledge

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to AC3D and Unreal Engine)
3D
12 12%
88% 88
Game Development
1 1%
99% 99
3D Modeling
100 100%
0% 0
Game Engine
0 0%
100% 100

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Reviews

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Unreal Engine Reviews

Top 13 Picks for Maxon Cinema 4D Alternatives in 2024
Designed by Epic Games, Unreal Engine is a comprehensive 3D graphics engine initially developed for PC gaming. Since its inception in 1998, it supports a wide array of platforms, including mobile, console, and VR. It is known for its versatility and power in a broad spectrum of industries like film and television.
Source: aircada.com
Game Engines: A Comparative Analysis
Developed by Epic Games, Unreal Engine stands as a titan in the industry, renowned for its stunning graphics and realistic visual effects. It excels in AAA game development, with a powerful rendering engine and an intuitive visual scripting system called Blueprints. Unreal Engine’s prowess lies in its ability to deliver top-notch graphics and cinematic experiences.
Source: medium.com
Best Unity alternatives for game development
Unreal Engine has become one of the most popular engines to date; it's one of the top-of-the-line gaming engines that produces high graphical fidelity and realism for many games. In fact, many mobile games (Injustice 2, Life is Strange) that look incredible are likely using the Unreal Engine. It's a number one choice that often goes head-to-head with Unity due to its great...
Best Game Engines for 2023 – Which Should You Use?
However, many game developers do report that Unreal Engine is better suited for larger projects and projects you intend to work on as a team. Additionally, as the program is heavy on the graphics end, many people will find it requires a more powerful computer compared to other engines like Unity. Beyond this, it is also noteworthy that while Unreal Engine can create 2D games...
The Best Gaming Engines You Should Consider for 2023
2022 saw the official launch of Unreal Engine 5, and it’s already shaping up to be a game changer for game development. Most next-gen consoles, including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are already using it, and its powerful tools such as Lumen and Nanite (an engine that imports high-detailed photographic source material – taking advantage of its past acquisition of Quixel)...

What are some alternatives?

When comparing AC3D and Unreal Engine, you can also consider the following products

Bforartists - Bforartists is a fork of Blender.

Unity - The multiplatform game creation tools for everyone.

Art of Illusion - Art of Illusion is a free, open source 3D modelling and rendering studio.

Godot Engine - Feature-packed 2D and 3D open source game engine.

Blender - Blender is the open source, cross platform suite of tools for 3D creation.

VRoid Studio - Download VRoid apk 1.13.0 for Android. VRoid Mobile is an avatar camera app