Can You Do 3D Modeling in Procreate?

In recent years, Procreate has become a favorite digital painting tool for many artists and designers. It is renowned for its powerful features and intuitive user interface. However, those interested in 3D modeling might wonder: Can Procreate be used for 3D modeling? This article will explore this question in detail and provide some alternative solutions and suggestions.

　　Overview of Procreate's Features

　　First, let's briefly introduce Procreate. Procreate is a digital painting app that runs on the iPad, designed specifically for artistic creation. It offers a rich array of brushes, layers, and drawing tools, which are highly favored by illustrators, comic artists, and concept artists. Although Procreate excels in 2D painting, it is not a 3D modeling software.

　　Procreate's 3D Capabilities

　　In recent updates, Procreate has introduced some 3D-related features, such as 3D painting. This allows users to paint and design textures on pre-imported 3D models. This feature greatly expands the application scope of Procreate, making it easier for artists to add details and textures to 3D models. However, it is important to note that these 3D models must be created in other 3D modeling software and imported into Procreate.

　　How to Use 3D Models in Procreate

　　1. Import 3D Models: In Procreate, you can import 3D model files (such as OBJ or USDZ formats) that have been created. These models are usually created in other 3D modeling software.

　　2. 3D Painting: After importing the model, you can use Procreate's brushes and tools to directly paint on the model's surface. This includes adding colors, textures, and details to make your 3D model more vivid.

　　While Procreate offers powerful 3D painting capabilities, it does not support the creation and modification of 3D modeling. That is to say, you cannot create 3D models from scratch in Procreate; you can only paint and decorate existing 3D models.

　　Alternative 3D Modeling Software

　　If your main need is for 3D modeling, not just painting on 3D models, then you need to look for specialized 3D modeling software. Here are some common and powerful 3D modeling tools:

　　1. Blender: Blender is an open-source and free 3D modeling software with very powerful features, suitable for everyone from beginners to professionals. It supports a variety of functions such as modeling, sculpting, animation, and rendering.

　　2. Autodesk Maya: Maya is the industry standard for 3D modeling and animation software, widely used in film, television, and game production. It has comprehensive features but is relatively expensive, suitable for professional use.

　　3. ZBrush: ZBrush focuses on digital sculpting and detail processing, suitable for creating high-precision 3D models. It is commonly used for character design and the production of high-detail models.

　　4. Tinkercad: For beginners and educational purposes, Tinkercad is a simple and easy-to-use online 3D modeling tool. Its features are more basic, but it is very suitable for beginners to learn.

　　How to Combine Procreate with 3D Modeling Software

　　Although Procreate cannot perform 3D modeling, you can use Procreate in combination with other 3D modeling software to complete your creations. For example, you can create 3D models in Blender or Maya, then import the models into Procreate for painting and texture design. This allows you to make the most of the strengths of each software and improve work efficiency and creative quality.

　　Practical Steps

　　1. Create the Model: Create your 3D model in Blender or Maya and export it as an OBJ or USDZ format.

　　2. Import into Procreate: Import the exported 3D model file into Procreate.

　　3. 3D Painting: Use Procreate's brushes and tools to paint the model, adding colors and textures.

　　4. Export and Display: After completing the painting, you can export the final model and render or display it in other software.

　　Although Procreate cannot perform 3D modeling, it excels in 3D painting and texture design and can serve as a supplementary tool for other 3D modeling software. For those who want to engage in 3D modeling, professional tools such as Blender, Maya, and ZBrush are better choices. By combining the use of Procreate and 3D modeling software, you can complete 3D creations more efficiently, improving the quality and expressiveness of your work. If you need many high-quality 3D textures and HDRIs, or 3D model downloads when creating models and virtual scenes, you can download them from Relebook. After downloading, simply import the textures and 3D models directly into your model for use.