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Shapelab
Kecskemét, Hungary
What it is
Shapelab is a 3D design application for organic modeling, including props, characters, concepts, and models for 3D printing. Shapelab Max combines polygon sculpting with voxel-based sketching, letting users block out forms in voxels and refine them with polygon tools. On Windows, Max runs in desktop mode or in VR with a headset tethered to the PC. Its modeling tools include configurable sculpting brushes, multiresolution and subdivision levels, dynamic topology, remeshing, mirroring, and hole filling. Digital pens and tablets support tilt, twist, and pressure sensitivity through Wintab and Windows Ink. The application imports and exports FBX, OBJ, GLB, and STL models, and saves projects in SL3D format; exported models can be used in Blender, Substance Painter, and Unity. The maker describes it as suited to beginner 3D artists and designers working on concepts, character blockouts, or 3D scan cleanup. Shapelab says it may not suit accurate retopology in its current form. Shapelab Max Standalone costs $9.99 per month or $49.99 per year, and Shapelab Lite costs $34.99 once. A 7-day trial is available.
For and against
For
- Combines voxel sketching and polygon sculpting.
- Runs in Windows desktop mode or PC-tethered VR.
- Supports pressure-, tilt-, and twist-sensitive pen input.
- Imports and exports FBX, OBJ, GLB, and STL.
- Offers multiresolution sculpting and voxel tools.
Against
- The maker says accurate retopology may not be suitable.
- Standalone plans have no desktop mode.
- Standalone plans limit Dyntopo and Voxel Remesh resolution.
The verdict
Shapelab offers organic modeling tools across voxel and polygon workflows, with desktop and tethered VR modes in Max. The listed standalone plans are VR-only, and the maker flags accurate retopology as a limitation.
Who it suits
Shapelab may suit beginner 3D artists and designers building concepts, blocking out characters, or inspecting and cleaning up 3D scans. It also supports users creating organic models for 3D printing.
Plans and prices
Shapelab Max Standalone
Standalone VR on Meta Quest 3 / 3S or Pro · No desktop mode · Limited Dyntopo and Voxel Remesh resolution
Read 30 Sep 2026 · shapelabvr.com
Shapelab Lite
Standalone VR on Meta Quest 3 / 3S or Pico 4 / 4 Ultra · Core features only · No desktop mode · Limited Dyntopo and Voxel Remesh resolution
Read 30 Sep 2026 · shapelabvr.com
On the record
- Desktop and VR modes
- Shapelab Max 2026 runs on Windows in desktop mode or in VR with a headset tethered to the PC.shapelabvr.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Dual modeling engines
- Shapelab Max combines polygon sculpting with voxel-based sketching so users can block out ideas in voxels and refine them with polygon tools.shapelabvr.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Import and export
- Shapelab imports and exports FBX, OBJ, GLB, and STL models, and saves projects in its SL3D format.shapelabvr.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Integration workflows
- The maker says exported models can be used in other programs including Blender, Substance Painter, and Unity.shapelabvr.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes Shapelab as suited to beginner 3D artists and designers creating concepts, blocking out characters, and inspecting or cleaning up 3D scans.shapelabvr.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Notable limitation
- The maker says Shapelab may not be suitable for accurate retopology in its current form.shapelabvr.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- PC requirements
- The stated minimum for Shapelab Max PCVR is Windows 10 or later, 8 GB RAM, a GTX 1060 or Radeon RX 480 or better, and about 800 MB of storage.shapelabvr.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Pen and tablet
- The software supports digital pens and tablets with tilt, twist, and pressure sensitivity through Wintab and Windows Ink.shapelabvr.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Privacy and security
- The service privacy policy says the company has administrative, technical, and physical security measures to help prevent unauthorized access, while noting it cannot guarantee transmission security.shapelabvr.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Shapelab is a 3D design application primarily for organic modeling and creating props, characters, concepts, and models for 3D printing.shapelabvr.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Sculpting and topology
- Features include configurable sculpting brushes, multiresolution and subdivision levels, dynamic topology, remeshing, and mesh operations such as mirroring and hole filling.shapelabvr.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- Shapelab provides a help center, bug reporting, feature requests, Discord community, and email support.shapelabvr.com · read 30 Sep 2026
