Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Fragmentarium VS picoCAD

Compare Fragmentarium VS picoCAD and see what are their differences

Fragmentarium logo Fragmentarium

Fragmentarium is an open source, cross-platform IDE for exploring pixel based graphics on the GPU.

picoCAD logo picoCAD

A game jam from 2021-03-05 to 2021-03-11 hosted by Munro & Johan Peitz. Make something in picoCAD, the latest and greatest low-poly pixel-art 3D modeler. No prior 3D experience required. All skill levels welcome! Theme Bui...
  • Fragmentarium Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-03-03
  • picoCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-06

Fragmentarium features and specs

  • Open Source
    Fragmentarium is open-source, allowing users to freely use, modify, and distribute the software, fostering a collaborative and innovative community.
  • Real-time Feedback
    The software provides real-time feedback on code changes, enabling users to quickly iterate and visualize their procedural graphics.
  • Powerful Scripting
    It supports GLSL scripting, providing a powerful way to create and manipulate 2D and 3D fractals and other graphics.
  • Cross-platform Compatibility
    Fragmentarium is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, increasing its accessibility.
  • Educational Tool
    The software serves as an excellent educational resource for learning about fractals, ray marching, and GLSL shaders.

Possible disadvantages of Fragmentarium

  • Steep Learning Curve
    The software requires a good understanding of GLSL and fractal mathematics, which might be challenging for beginners.
  • Limited Community Support
    Compared to other graphics software, Fragmentarium has a smaller community, which can make finding help and resources more difficult.
  • Performance Limitations
    Depending on the complexity of the shaders and graphics, performance can become an issue on less powerful hardware.
  • No Official Support
    As an open-source tool, there is no official customer support, relying instead on community forums and documentation.
  • Lack of Comprehensive Documentation
    Documentation for Fragmentarium can be sparse or outdated, posing challenges for new users to fully grasp its capabilities.

picoCAD features and specs

  • Accessibility
    picoCAD is designed to be beginner-friendly and accessible, allowing users with no prior experience in 3D modeling to easily create simple models.
  • Affordability
    Being an inexpensive or occasionally free tool available on platforms like itch.io, picoCAD provides an affordable way for hobbyists to explore 3D modeling.
  • Focus on Creativity
    With its limitations in complexity, picoCAD encourages users to focus more on creativity and originality rather than on technical mastery.
  • Community Engagement
    The picoCAD community, including events like jams, fosters collaboration and inspiration among users who share their work and techniques.
  • Lightweight Software
    picoCAD does not require intensive hardware resources, which makes it accessible to use on most computers without high-performance specifications.

Possible disadvantages of picoCAD

  • Limited Features
    The simplicity of picoCAD comes with limited features compared to more advanced 3D modeling software, which can hinder those looking for more complexity.
  • Basic Rendering
    The tool's rendering capabilities are quite basic, which may not meet the expectations of users who require high-quality visual outputs.
  • Low Fidelity
    picoCAD is not suitable for creating detailed or highly realistic models due to its intentionally low-fidelity design constraints.
  • Learning Plateau
    While picoCAD is easy to learn, advanced users might find that they quickly reach a plateau where they cannot further develop their skills within the tool.
  • File Export Limitations
    The ability to export models for use in other programs is limited, which may be a drawback for users wanting to integrate picoCAD in more complex workflows.

Analysis of picoCAD

Overall verdict

  • picoCAD is a good tool for those looking to dip their toes into 3D modeling without a steep learning curve. It offers a fun, informal introduction to the basics of creating 3D models and can be enjoyed by hobbyists and creatives looking for an easy-to-understand platform. However, its limited features may not be suitable for professional use or for those seeking advanced modeling options.

Why this product is good

  • picoCAD is appreciated for its simplicity and accessibility, making it a great tool for beginners who want to get into 3D modeling. It runs directly in your browser and is quite minimalistic, which allows users to focus on the fundamentals of 3D design without getting overwhelmed by complex features. The community around picoCAD is also active, often sharing tips, tutorials, and showcasing creative projects, which can be inspiring and educational for new users.

Recommended for

  • Beginners who want to learn 3D modeling basics
  • Artists looking for a quick and simple tool for prototyping
  • Teachers seeking an educational tool to introduce students to 3D design
  • Game developers interested in creating low-poly models
  • Hobbyists who enjoy experimenting with new creative tools

Fragmentarium videos

Laura Albiero, "Retracing the Past" (Fragmentarium Video Conference)

picoCAD videos

picoCAD -- A Tiny Modeller For Tiny Models

More videos:

  • Review - Making a Character in picoCAD | TMNT Metalhead

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Fragmentarium and picoCAD)
3D
29 29%
71% 71
VJ
100 100%
0% 0
3D Modeling
27 27%
73% 73
Game Development
21 21%
79% 79

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, picoCAD seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Fragmentarium mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Fragmentarium yet. Tracking of Fragmentarium recommendations started around Mar 2021.

picoCAD mentions (1)

  • The Four Seasons in #picoCAD
    There's been a bunch of jams on itch.io where you can download entries to see directly how they were done. (https://itch.io/jam/picocad-jam, https://itch.io/jam/picocad-jam-9, etc). Source: over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Fragmentarium and picoCAD, you can also consider the following products

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

Bforartists - Bforartists is a fork of Blender.

Sketchfab - Sketchfab is an industrial design software tool is useful for ideation and for beginners in the industrial design field.

SketchUp - 3D for Everyone

OpenRNDR - Website project for openrndr.org

Autodesk 3DS Max - 3ds Max is software for 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and visualization. Create stunning game enrivonments, design visualizations, and virtual reality experiences.