Nomad Sculpt
PaidPowerful 3D sculpting app for iPad and Android tablets with multiresolution sculpting, PBR painting, layers, and export to OBJ, STL, and glTF formats.
What does this tool do?
Nomad Sculpt is a dedicated 3D sculpting and painting application designed primarily for tablets (iPad and Android) with a recent desktop expansion to Windows and macOS. It offers multiresolution sculpting, which allows artists to work at different polygon densities efficiently, and includes PBR (physically-based rendering) painting for realistic material creation. The tool supports layer-based workflows and exports to industry-standard formats (OBJ, STL, glTF), making it suitable for both hobbyists and professionals. However, it's fundamentally a sculpting-first tool rather than a full 3D suite—it doesn't compete with Blender or Maya in terms of modeling, rigging, or animation capabilities. The tablet-first philosophy means the interface is touch-optimized, which is either a major strength or limitation depending on your workflow preference.
AI analysis from Feb 23, 2026
Key Features
- Multiresolution sculpting for efficient performance on lower-spec devices
- PBR painting system for realistic material texturing directly on 3D models
- Layer-based non-destructive workflow for organization and experimentation
- Export to OBJ, STL, and glTF formats for game engines, 3D printing, and asset pipelines
- Touch-optimized UI designed specifically for tablet input and stylus workflows
- Offline functionality with 15-day grace period before online license verification required
- Manual, forum community support, and demo access for learning
Use Cases
- 1Digital character sculpting and creature design for game development or animation
- 2Creating 3D printable models and sculptures for 3D printing services
- 3Rapid prototyping and ideation for product designers working on-the-go
- 4Texture painting and detail work on 3D assets using PBR workflows
- 5Creating organic 3D art for personal projects, portfolio building, or art direction references
- 6Educational tool for learning 3D sculpting fundamentals on tablets in classroom settings
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- Exceptional tablet optimization with intuitive touch controls, making it genuinely portable compared to desktop-bound alternatives
- Multiresolution sculpting enables smooth performance on tablets by managing polygon density intelligently
- Affordable entry point (~$35 for desktop, free on mobile app stores) compared to professional alternatives like ZBrush or Substance Painter
- Support for modern export formats (glTF, OBJ, STL) ensures compatibility with game engines, 3D printing, and asset pipelines
- Cross-platform availability (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS) with offline functionality (15-day grace period)
Limitations
- No cross-platform license portability—purchasing on iPad doesn't unlock Windows version, fragmenting user investment across platforms
- Limited to sculpting and painting; lacks modeling, rigging, animation, or UV unwrapping tools, requiring supplementary software for complete pipelines
- Online licensing requirement with only 15-day offline grace period may frustrate users with unreliable internet access
- Desktop version (2.9.3) is relatively new and less mature than tablet versions, with potential stability or feature gaps compared to established competitors
- No official educational discounts on desktop versions (only through Apple's institutional program), limiting adoption in schools despite the learning tool potential
Pricing Details
Desktop versions (Windows & macOS) pricing: Individual license ~$35 with 1 license key providing 2 activations. Seat-based licensing available for teams with volume discounts. Classroom/Lab licensing offers 1 license key with N shared activations. Mobile versions (iOS via App Store, Android via Google Play and Huawei AppGallery) available through platform-specific storefronts with separate pricing. PayPal and alternative payment methods coming early 2026. Steam release planned for January/February 2026.
Who is this for?
Digital artists, character designers, and game developers comfortable with tablet-first workflows; hobbyist sculptors seeking affordable entry into 3D creation; 3D printing enthusiasts needing accessible model creation tools; educators introducing students to digital sculpting; professionals seeking portable sculpting tools for on-location concept work or travel.