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Strata Design 3D CX 8
What Strata Design 3D CX 8 is
Strata Design 3D CX 8 is 3D modeling and animation software for illustrators, product and package designers, display and interior designers, and other creative professionals. Its tools include subdivision and Bezier surfaces, extrusion, lathing, Boolean operations, polygonal modeling, mirroring, and deformation lattices. Animation features include keyframes, velocity graphs, inverse and forward kinematics, visible paths, and scripting; character animation and physics simulation are also listed. Strata says its Intel Embree raycasting can improve rendering speed by up to 800%. The software can import Adobe Illustrator artwork, link Photoshop files for textures, and render to Photoshop layers. Other listed formats include Collada, OBJ, VRML, DXF, PSD, Illustrator/EPS, and image and video formats. Its VR 360° Stereo camera generates images for immersive viewing with a smartphone and simple viewers such as Google Cardboard. CX 8 runs on macOS from Mojave (10.14) or later, including Intel and Apple Silicon, and 64-bit Windows 10 or later; each requires 8 GB RAM and 5 GB disk space. A 15-day trial is available for Mac and PC. Subscriptions start at $19.95 a month.
Who it suits
It suits creative professionals who need 3D modeling, animation, and rendering tools, including people working with Illustrator or Photoshop assets. It may also fit users creating VR 360° Stereo images for smartphone viewing.
What it does well
- Modeling toolkit includes surfaces, Boolean operations, and deformation lattices.
- Animation features include keyframes and inverse and forward kinematics.
- Can link Photoshop textures and render to Photoshop layers.
- 15-day trial includes core modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, and animation.
What to know first
- No free plan is listed.
- Requires 8 GB RAM and 5 GB disk space.
- Monthly subscription payments are not eligible for refunds.
- macOS 10.14 or later and 64-bit Windows 10 or later are required.
Limits
The free trial lasts 15 days and provides core modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering and animation tools. Paid plans provide one seat; subscriptions begin at $19.95 per month for one platform.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mac Subscription | Monthly payments · 1 seat | $19.95 a month |
| PC Subscription | Monthly payments · 1 seat | $19.95 a month |
| Dual Platform Subscription | Using monthly payments · 1 seat | $29.95 a month |
| Mac Standard License | One time payment for a single user · 1 seat | $595, paid once |
| PC Standard License | One time payment for a single user · 1 seat | $595, paid once |
| Dual Platform Standard License | Perpetual license for both Mac and Windows · 1 seat | $849, paid once |
| Design 3D CX 8 Mac x64 subscription, 1 seat | Initial payment of $69.95 ($50 License Fee plus $19.95 first month) · 1 seat · Strata 3D University · Premium Support · continuous upgrades | $19.95 a month |
| Design 3D CX 8 PC subscription, 1 seat | Monthly; page lists $19.95 · 1 seat · Strata 3D University · Premium Support · continuous upgrades | $19.95 a month |
The first 8 of 10 plans, as strata.com lists them, read 22 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word. Every plan
Getting started
- Open the Strata Design 3D CX 8 website
- Choose a Mac, PC or dual-platform subscription or license
- Download the macOS or Windows application
- Start the 15-day Mac or PC trial, if preferred
- Activate or validate the license through an internet connection
Verdict
Design 3D CX 8 offers a broad modeling and animation toolkit, with Adobe file workflows and a trial for both supported platforms. Check the system requirements and subscription or license terms before purchasing.
Questions
What platforms does CX 8 support?
It supports macOS and Windows. The system requirements specify macOS Mojave 10.14 or later, including Intel and Apple Silicon, or 64-bit Windows 10 or later.
Is there a free plan?
No. Strata offers a 15-day free trial for Mac and PC.
How much do subscriptions cost?
Mac and PC subscriptions cost $19.95 a month for one seat. A dual-platform subscription costs $29.95 a month for one seat.
Does it work with Adobe files?
It can import Adobe Illustrator artwork, link Photoshop files for textures and render to Photoshop layers.
What support comes with subscriptions?
Subscriptions include Strata 3D University and Premium Support.
What formats can it import or export?
Listed formats include Collada, OBJ, VRML, DXF, Photoshop PSD, Illustrator/EPS and several image and video formats.
Facts from Strata Design 3D CX 8's own pages
- Adobe integration
- Design 3D CX can import Adobe Illustrator artwork, link Photoshop files for textures, and render to Photoshop layers. · strata.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Animation
- Strata lists keyframes, velocity graphs, inverse and forward kinematics, visible paths, and scripting among its animation features. · strata.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1988 · strata.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- No · strata.com, 22 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Santa Clara, Utah, United States · strata.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Modeling
- Its modeling tools include subdivision surfaces, Bezier surfaces, extrusion, lathing, Boolean operations, polygonal modeling, mirroring, and deformation lattices. · strata.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Other formats
- The tech specifications list Collada, OBJ, VRML, DXF, Photoshop PSD, Illustrator/EPS, and several image and video formats for import or export. · strata.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Strata says it uses SSL to protect transmission of critical account information, such as credit card transmissions, through its services. · strata.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Strata describes Design 3D CX as professional 3D modeling and animation software for illustrators, product and package designers, display and interior designers, and other creative professionals. · strata.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Refund policy
- Strata offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on software license purchases and license fees, but monthly subscription payments are not eligible for refunds. · strata.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Rendering
- The product includes Intel Embree raycasting, which Strata says can improve rendering speed by up to 800%. · strata.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Security and activation
- The software license agreement says the application may connect to the internet for activation or validation and may transmit information to Strata about the license, subscription, or membership. · strata.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Paid from
- 19.95 · strata.com, 22 Sept 2026
- System requirements
- The CX 8 page specifies macOS from Mojave (10.14) or later, including Intel and Apple Silicon, and 64-bit Windows 10 or later; both require 8 GB RAM and 5 GB disk space. · strata.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Training and support
- Subscriptions include Strata 3D University and Premium Support, while the trial page says University access is available separately to other users. · strata.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Trial
- Strata offers a 15-day free trial for Mac and PC with core modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, and animation tools. · strata.com, 2 Oct 2026
- VR output
- The product page says its VR 360° Stereo camera generates images for immersive viewing with a smartphone and simple viewers such as Google Cardboard. · strata.com, 2 Oct 2026
Where Strata Design 3D CX 8 stands on Freedom251
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