Freedom251 › 3D Sculpting Software
Shapelab
What Shapelab is
Shapelab is a paid 3D design application for organic modeling, including props, characters, concepts, and models for 3D printing. Shapelab Max combines polygon sculpting with voxel-based sketching, allowing rough forms to be blocked out in voxels and refined with polygon tools. On Windows, it runs in desktop mode or in VR with a headset tethered to a PC. Sculpting features include configurable 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 files and saves projects in SL3D format. Exported models can continue in Blender, Substance Painter, or Unity. It supports Windows and Android, offers texture painting, and provides manual rather than automatic retopology. A 7-day trial is available; pricing starts at $9.99/mo.
Who it suits
It suits beginner 3D artists and designers creating concepts, blocking out characters, inspecting scans, or preparing printable models. Windows users can choose desktop or tethered VR workflows.
What it does well
- Voxel and polygon modeling engines
- Configurable brushes and multiresolution sculpting
- Imports and exports common 3D formats
- Supports pen and tablet pressure controls
- 7-day trial available
What to know first
- No automatic retopology
- No free plan
- Standalone plans have no desktop mode
- Some standalone resolutions are limited
Limits
Shapelab Max Standalone and Shapelab Lite are standalone VR editions with no desktop mode and limited Dyntopo and Voxel Remesh resolution. Shapelab Lite includes core features only.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Shapelab Lite | Perpetual license · Standalone VR on Meta Quest 3 / 3S or Pico 4 / 4 Ultra · Core features only · No desktop mode · Limited Dyntopo and Voxel Remesh resolution | $34.99, paid once |
| Shapelab Max Standalone | $9.99 / month or $49.99 / year · Standalone VR on Meta Quest 3 / 3S or Pro · No desktop mode · Limited Dyntopo and Voxel Remesh resolution | $9.99 a month |
As shapelabvr.com lists them, read 30 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://shapelabvr.com/.
- Choose a plan: Shapelab Max Standalone or Shapelab Lite.
- Use the 7-day trial if you want to try the application first.
- For PCVR, use a Windows 10 or later PC with at least 8 GB RAM, a GTX 1060 or Radeon RX 480 or better, and about 800 MB of storage.
- Import an FBX, OBJ, GLB, or STL model, or begin a project and save it in SL3D format.
Verdict
Shapelab combines voxel blocking with polygon sculpting for organic 3D work. Check the retopology limitation and plan-specific VR restrictions before choosing an edition.
Questions
How much does Shapelab cost?
Shapelab Max Standalone costs $9.99 per month or $49.99 per year. Shapelab Lite costs $34.99 once.
Is there a free plan or trial?
There is no free plan, but a 7-day trial is available.
Which platforms does Shapelab support?
Shapelab Max runs on Windows in desktop mode or tethered VR. The standalone plans are VR editions for Meta Quest 3, 3S, or Pro; Lite also supports Pico 4 and 4 Ultra.
What file formats can it use?
Shapelab imports and exports FBX, OBJ, GLB, and STL models, and saves projects in SL3D format.
Does Shapelab support retopology?
Manual retopology is supported, but the maker says Shapelab may not be suitable for accurate retopology in its current form.
What are the standalone plan limitations?
Both standalone plans lack desktop mode and limit Dyntopo and Voxel Remesh resolution. Shapelab Lite is limited to core features.
Facts from Shapelab's own pages
- 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, 30 Sept 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, 30 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Kecskemét, Hungary · shapelabvr.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Import and export
- Shapelab imports and exports FBX, OBJ, GLB, and STL models, and saves projects in its SL3D format. · shapelabvr.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Integration workflows
- The maker says exported models can be used in other programs including Blender, Substance Painter, and Unity. · shapelabvr.com, 30 Sept 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, 30 Sept 2026
- Notable limitation
- The maker says Shapelab may not be suitable for accurate retopology in its current form. · shapelabvr.com, 30 Sept 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, 30 Sept 2026
- Pen and tablet
- The software supports digital pens and tablets with tilt, twist, and pressure sensitivity through Wintab and Windows Ink. · shapelabvr.com, 30 Sept 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, 30 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Shapelab is a 3D design application primarily for organic modeling and creating props, characters, concepts, and models for 3D printing. · shapelabvr.com, 30 Sept 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, 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- Shapelab provides a help center, bug reporting, feature requests, Discord community, and email support. · shapelabvr.com, 30 Sept 2026
Where Shapelab stands on Freedom251
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