Freedom251 › 3D modeling software
picoCAD 2
What picoCAD 2 is
picoCAD 2 is a paid desktop program for low-poly 3D modeling on Windows and macOS. Its toolset includes a built-in texture editor for drawing pixel art and viewing it on the model in real time, plus a built-in render engine. Animation controls cover mesh movement, rotation, scale, visibility, and oscillation. Models can be exported as GIFs, sprite sheets, GLTF, or OBJ/MTL files for use in other 3D programs and game engines. Palette colors and shading ramps are customizable. Textures are limited to 128 × 128 pixels and 16 colors, with one color treated as transparent, while the maker says projects have no size limits. The listed picoCAD 2 plan costs $14.99 a month, with a starting price of $14.99, and there is no free plan. Johan Peitz develops the software, and Apskeppet publishes it from Gothenburg, Sweden. Help, feedback, and bug reports go through the community Discord. Beta versions of upcoming updates are available only on Steam.
Who it suits
It suits desktop users creating low-poly models who want pixel-texture editing, animation, rendering, and exports in named formats. It may fit game or 3D workflows that can work within the texture limits.
What it does well
- Built-in texture editor
- Animation tools included
- GIF, GLTF, OBJ/MTL, and sprite exports
- Custom palette and shading ramps
- No project size limits
What to know first
- No free plan
- Textures limited to 128 × 128 pixels
- Textures limited to 16 colors
- Beta updates require Steam
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| picoCAD 2 | $14.95; 25% off; minimum purchase price $11.21 USD · Windows and macOS downloads · purchase required | $11.21, paid once |
As picocad.net lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
picoCAD 2 focuses on approachable low-poly modeling with integrated texturing, animation, rendering, and export. Its paid monthly plan and strict texture limits are important considerations before choosing it.
Facts from picoCAD 2's own pages
- Animation
- Animation tools let users animate mesh movement, rotation, scale, visibility, and oscillation. · picocad.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Animation tools
- Yes · picocad.net, 22 Sept 2026
- Beta access
- The itch.io page says beta versions of upcoming updates are available only on Steam. · johanpeitz.itch.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Developer and publisher
- picoCAD is developed by Johan Peitz and published by Apskeppet. · picocad.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Exports
- It exports GIFs, sprite sheets, GLTF, and OBJ/MTL files for sharing or use in other 3D programs and game engines. · picocad.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker lists GLTF and OBJ/MTL exports for importing models into modern game engines or 3D programs. · picocad.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Maker location
- Apskeppet says its game development studio is located in Gothenburg, Sweden. · apskeppet.se, 12 Oct 2026
- Palette and shading
- Users can customize palette colors and shading ramps. · picocad.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Platform access
- desktop · picocad.net, 22 Sept 2026
- Project limit
- The maker says picoCAD 2 has no project size limits. · store.steampowered.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- picoCAD 2 is a low-poly 3D modeling program focused on a simple, approachable toolset. · picocad.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Render engine
- built-in · picocad.net, 22 Sept 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users to the community Discord for help, feedback, and bug reports. · picocad.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Texture limit
- Textures are limited to 128 × 128 pixels and 16 colors, with one color treated as transparent. · picocad.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Texturing
- Its built-in texture editor lets users draw pixel art and see it on the model in real time. · picocad.net, 12 Oct 2026
Where picoCAD 2 stands on Freedom251
- 3D modeling software#144 of 147