Freedom251 › 3D Texturing Software
UVLayout
What UVLayout is
UVLayout is a stand-alone application for creating and editing UV texture coordinates on 3D polymeshes and subdivision surfaces. Its flattening algorithm spreads UVs to reduce texture stretching, compression, and skewing. Editing tools include edge-loop detection, symmetry editing, distortion color feedback, edge straightening, and flattening brushes. UV shells can be packed automatically, and similar shells can be stacked to share texture space. Subdivision calculations use limit-surface shape. The listed major mesh-format feature is OBJ import and export, and a plugin interface supports integration with other applications. UVLayout runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The maker says the macOS version does not work on macOS 26 Tahoe and suggests using Windows instead. Student licenses cost 35.00 USD once for four months or $100 a year, for non-commercial individual use. Hobbyist costs 200.00 USD once; Professional licenses cost 330.00 USD or 400.00 USD once. A demo cannot save work.
Who it suits
It suits game and visual-effects professionals, hobbyists, and students working with UV coordinates. The available plans cover non-commercial study, hobby use, and professional installations.
What it does well
- UV flattening reduces distortion
- Automatic shell packing and stacking
- OBJ import and export
- Windows, macOS, and Linux versions
- Plugin interface for integrations
What to know first
- Demo modes cannot save work
- macOS version fails on macOS 26 Tahoe
- Student licenses are non-commercial
- Professional plans require hardware key or LAN server
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Student Year | License expires after 12 months · Non-commercial individual use only · Otherwise same as Hobbyist | $100 a year |
| Hobbyist | Permanent license; free software updates for 12 months · Most tools, including Symmetry Find, Basic Packing and Stacking · Windows and Mac OS X installs | $200, paid once |
| Professional Dongle | Permanent license; free software updates for 12 months · All tools · Windows, Mac OS X and Linux installs · Hardware key required | $330, paid once |
| Student Term | License expires after 4 months · Non-commercial individual use only · Otherwise same as Hobbyist | $35, paid once |
| Professional Floating | Permanent license; free software updates for 12 months · All tools · Windows, Mac OS X and Linux installs · Requires a server on a local area network | $400, paid once |
As uvlayout.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
UVLayout focuses on UV creation, distortion control, shell packing, and subdivision-surface workflows. Its plan choices cover different users, but demo saving restrictions and the macOS 26 compatibility issue matter before purchase.
Facts from UVLayout's own pages
- Company headquarters
- Headus says its headquarters are in Perth, Western Australia. · uvlayout.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Demo limitations
- The free demo has a basic mode and Hobbyist and Professional trial modes, but none of these modes allow saving work. · uvlayout.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Editing features
- The listed features include edge-loop detection, symmetry editing, distortion color feedback, edge straightening and flattening brushes. · uvlayout.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1994 · uvlayout.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Perth, Western Australia, Australia · uvlayout.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The maker lists a plugin interface for integration into other applications. · uvlayout.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker says UVLayout is used by professionals in games and visual effects, hobbyists and students. · uvlayout.com, 11 Oct 2026
- macOS compatibility
- The maker reports that the macOS version does not work on macOS 26 Tahoe and suggests installing the Windows version as a workaround. · uvlayout.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Mesh formats
- The listed major features include OBJ import and export. · uvlayout.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Packing
- UVLayout can automatically pack UV shells and stack similar shells for shared texture space. · uvlayout.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- UVLayout is a stand-alone application for creating and editing UV texture coordinates for 3D polymeshes and subdivision surfaces. · uvlayout.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Recent release
- Version 2025.02 added point and edge picking, snap and pivot options, editable poly selection, wireframe options and drawing and picking speed improvements. · uvlayout.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Subdivision surfaces
- Subdivision surface calculations are based on limit surface shape. · uvlayout.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- Support is available by email, a public forum, user and install guides, and a login for installers and license activation keys. · uvlayout.com, 11 Oct 2026
- UV flattening
- An optimizing algorithm spreads UVs to minimize texture stretching, compression or skewing. · uvlayout.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where UVLayout stands on Freedom251
- 3D Texturing Software#26 of 29