Side by side
Gaea vs Materialize
Both stand on game texture software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Windows
Gaea combines terrain creation, simulation, and data exports in one Windows tool. Check its hardware, connectivity, and license requirements against your workflow before choosing a plan.
Visit Gaea Free plan Windows
Materialize offers image-based texture creation and repeat-task automation as a free Windows tool. Consider its platform and setup requirements before downloading.
Visit MaterializeThe facts
| Gaea | Materialize | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Windows | Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Indie: $99, paid once | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 4 | 1 |
| Maker | Gaea | Not published |
| Website | quadspinner.com | boundingboxsoftware.com |
| On game texture software | #14 of 34 | #18 of 34 |
Gaea: what it does well
- Creates terrain from procedural, imported, and hand-drawn inputs
- Simulates erosion, glaciers, rivers, snow, and vegetation
- Exports heightfields, meshes, point clouds, and textures
- Includes bridges for Unreal Engine and Houdini
What to know first
- Windows only; requires an AVX2 CPU and 16 GB RAM
- License needs an internet refresh every 28 days
- Community Edition is limited to non-commercial use
- Houdini plugin requires Professional or Enterprise license
Materialize: what it does well
- Generates six types of textures from image inputs
- Can make textures tile seamlessly
- XML clipboard commands automate multiple-file tasks
- Open source under GNU GPL v3
What to know first
- Windows only; no Mac or Linux version
- Image loading may require Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
- No free trial
Alternatives to Gaea Alternatives to Materialize The whole list