Best 3D texturing tools in 2025

Choosing the right 3D texturing tool can make or break your digital art workflow. In 2025, the options are more powerful, more accessible, and smarter than ever before. Whether you’re a solo 3D artist, part of a studio, or just dipping your toes into texture painting, finding the best texturing software is key to bringing your models to life.

We’re diving into the top 3D texturing applications available this year, including industry legends and rising AI-powered contenders. You’ll get the scoop on features, platforms, pricing, and where each one shines the brightest. We’ll also share practical advice for choosing the right tool for your needs, no matter your experience level or budget. And stick around till the end—we’ll share why Welpix is the perfect partner for your 3D texturing projects.

If you’re aiming for professional results, these heavy hitters are the tools studios and freelancers rely on.

Adobe Substance Painter has been leading the charge in 3D texture painting tools for years.

It offers real-time viewport updates, smart materials, and baking tools. Thanks to Adobe’s integration, it works smoothly with other Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop and After Effects. Substance Painter’s intuitive UI and powerful features make it ideal for everything from game assets to product mockups.

It supports Linux, Windows, and macOS. The cross-platform flexibility is a huge win for teams using mixed operating systems. This ensures a smoother workflow without forcing you to compromise on OS preferences.

The subscription model can be pricey, starting at $59.99/month. But for professionals, it pays for itself with the time saved and the quality of the output.

You can export textures in a variety of formats. That includes PBR texture sets for Unreal, Unity, and other engines. It also supports advanced masking and layering, which means you can achieve detailed realism with ease.

Its frequent updates keep it cutting-edge. Adobe has been consistent in rolling out new features and performance improvements. You’re always working with some of the best 3D texturing tools available.

Mari by Foundry is another pro-level 3D texture painting software built for artists working on blockbuster-level projects.

Priced at $1,000/year, Mari handles incredibly high-resolution textures without lag. This is essential for film-quality assets where detail is everything. If you’re working on complex VFX shots, this tool’s capability is unmatched.

The node graph system gives you fine control. You can adjust materials and layers without losing any non-destructive flexibility. This lets you iterate faster and experiment more freely.

It’s more technical than other tools. So it has a steeper learning curve—but once mastered, it’s a powerhouse.

Mari supports UDIM workflows. That’s a must for projects requiring massive texture coverage, like creatures and environments. It allows seamless painting across multiple texture tiles.

Foundry offers excellent support. You’ll find extensive documentation, training resources, and an active user community. That’s invaluable when you’re working under pressure.

Blender is the best free 3D modeling and texturing software you can find in 2025.

It’s packed with sculpting, painting, and texturing tools. And it just keeps getting better every year thanks to its strong open-source community. If you’re starting out or on a tight budget, Blender delivers professional results with zero cost.

It supports add-ons for advanced workflows. Things like Node Wrangler and TexTools make your texturing pipeline smoother. You can customize it endlessly, making it perfect for indie developers and students.

Blender can feel overwhelming at first. But once you get past the interface, it becomes an all-in-one powerhouse.

It supports Eevee and Cycles. These built-in rendering engines help you preview textures quickly and render high-quality images right in Blender. You also get a full suite of UV editing tools.

The texture painting tools are interactive. You can paint directly in the 3D viewport and see updates in real-time. This makes it intuitive for beginners and efficient for pros.

ZBrush by Pixologic is loved for its sculpting power, but it also excels at 3D texturing.

Its Polypaint feature lets you paint directly on high-resolution models. You don’t need UVs to get started. This is perfect for artists who want to focus on creativity without getting bogged down in technical setup.

It integrates well with major rendering engines. This means you can take your detailed models and textures straight into final rendering stages. The bridge from sculpt to texture to render is smooth and reliable.

ZBrush isn’t great for baking or procedural textures. But if you want stunning hand-painted detail, it’s hard to beat.

You can use Spotlight for texturing. It allows you to project images onto your models and blend them with paint layers. This gives you realistic surface detail with little manual work.

ZBrush’s performance is top-tier. It handles millions of polygons effortlessly, allowing you to texture very dense meshes. Plus, it’s half the price of Mari, with a $500 annual subscription fee. That makes it a go-to for many character artists.

3D-Coat offers a strong balance of sculpting, UV mapping, and texturing tools.

It’s a jack-of-all-trades with great texture painting capabilities. The PBR support and smart materials are ideal for real-time engines like Unity and Unreal. That makes it a favorite for game devs and interactive designers.

It also shines with its auto-retopology tools. You can go from sculpt to optimized model without third-party plugins. This makes it incredibly efficient for full asset creation.

The UI isn’t the prettiest. But functionally, it’s powerful and cost-effective, with $400 for a one-time purchase.

3D-Coat supports voxel sculpting. That means you can sculpt freely without worrying about topology early on. It adds a layer of creative freedom.

Its texture baking is fast and reliable. You can generate normal, AO, and curvature maps within the app. This cuts down on your reliance on outside tools.

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we texture 3D models. These new tools are helping artists work smarter and faster.

Lummi is a fresh face that’s shaking up the 3D modeling and texturing world.

It uses AI to generate textures from simple prompts or images. You can describe what you want or feed it reference pics. This is great for rapid prototyping or concept development.

The tool speeds up the iteration process. Artists can create variations in minutes instead of hours. That’s a game-changer for tight deadlines or creative brainstorming.

It’s still evolving. So while it’s powerful, you may need to do some cleanup for polished results.

Lummi integrates with popular 3D platforms. You can export results directly into tools like Blender and Substance. It bridges AI generation with manual fine-tuning.

Its AI adapts over time. It learns from your usage and refines its results to better suit your style. That’s a big plus for consistency in larger projects.

Spline is an AI-assisted modeling and texturing app that’s all about ease of use.

It blends procedural tools with machine learning. This helps you create stylized textures with minimal manual work. It’s ideal for designers who aren’t full-time 3D artists but still want solid results.

It’s browser-based. No downloads, no installations—just open and go. Perfect for on-the-fly visual work or small web-based projects. You’ll hit limitations with complex models. But for lightweight workflows, it’s a joy to use. 

Spline supports team collaboration. You can co-create with teammates in real time. This makes it ideal for design sprints or interactive UX development.

Its library of assets is growing. From textures to models, it’s becoming a one-stop-shop for simple 3D work. Great for quick mockups and demos.

Runway ML isn’t built specifically for 3D, but it’s becoming a go-to for AI-enhanced texturing workflows.

You can generate texture maps using AI image tools. Upload a concept sketch, generate texture references, and export to your 3D software. It works especially well in tandem with Substance or Blender.

It’s accessible to non-tech users. The drag-and-drop interface and simplified controls mean you don’t need coding knowledge. That opens doors for more creatives to explore texturing.

It’s not a complete 3D texturing solution. But as a supplemental tool, it adds serious value.

Runway supports batch processing. You can create multiple textures at once—handy for environments and asset packs. This saves time and helps maintain visual consistency.

Its training models are community-driven. You can experiment with public models or train your own. That adds depth and flexibility to your texturing workflow.

There’s no one-size-fits-all in the world of 3D texture mapping software. Your best bet depends on your workflow, your goals, and your budget.

Budget-conscious beginners 

You can’t beat Blender for price-to-performance. With its built-in 3D texture painting tools and robust community, you’ll find tutorials, plugins, and support with ease. Add in free AI tools like Runway ML and you’ve got a powerful beginner-friendly combo.

Look for open-source support. Blender has a huge ecosystem of free tools that help beginners learn quickly. Join forums, watch YouTube tutorials, and download assets to get started faster.

Freelancers and indie devs 

Substance Painter and 3D-Coat are popular choices. They balance usability with advanced features, without requiring a full VFX pipeline. Use AI assistants like Lummi to speed up iteration and stay competitive.

Look for subscription flexibility. Tools like Substance offer indie licenses. That makes them more affordable for solo creators.

Studio-level production 

Mari and ZBrush stand tall in high-end production. Their capabilities in handling large, complex textures and models make them ideal for AAA games or film VFX. Blend in AI tools for concepting, but these giants will carry the final load.

Evaluate based on pipeline compatibility. Mari works well in studios using Nuke and Houdini. ZBrush integrates tightly with Maya and Cinema 4D. Match tools to your broader software stack.

CGI has become one of the most exciting breakthroughs in visual content. From Hollywood blockbusters to interactive ads, it’s changing how we tell stories, sell products, and build digital worlds. And it’s not just for big studios anymore—businesses of all sizes are tapping into the power of 3D modeling to elevate their visuals and reach audiences in fresh, immersive ways.

For e-commerce brands especially, CGI 3D modeling is a game-changer. Instead of coordinating costly photoshoots for every product angle, variation, or seasonal update, you can generate ultra-realistic renders on demand. These models are easy to tweak, reuse, and scale—saving time and cutting costs over the long haul.

More importantly, it helps your customers make confident buying decisions. They can zoom in, rotate, and explore textures like they’re holding the product in their hands. This not only enhances the shopping experience but also reduces returns and builds brand trust.

CGI brings consistency, creativity, and convenience to online retail. And with the right 3D texturing tools and expert partners, you can turn your product catalog into a dynamic visual journey that truly sells.

Choosing the best 3D texturing tools in 2025 depends on where you’re coming from and where you’re headed. If you’re just starting out or working on personal projects, free software like Blender plus AI tools gives you tremendous value. For professionals, Substance Painter, Mari, or ZBrush are still kings of the hill.

Remember—no matter the tool, great textures come from creativity, practice, and understanding your pipeline. Find what fits your flow, and let the software do the heavy lifting while you focus on what matters: the art.

Welpix offers industry-level CGI support and texturing services to take your project to the next level. With our team’s technical expertise and eye for detail, you can trust us to deliver textured assets that look stunning and perform beautifully.