MeshCoat
MeshCoat is a free 3D texture-painting app for game developers and 3D artists, available on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What MeshCoat is
MeshCoat is a free 3D texture-painting app for game developers and 3D artists, available on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It loads textures from folders on disk and runs locally without an account or subscription. You can paint on a 3D model while MeshCoat maps strokes into UV coordinates, with hardware-accelerated shaders. Its non-destructive layer stack supports hiding, reordering, opacity changes, duplication, merging, and live blending. Painting options include a brush, stamp, eraser, fill bucket, effects brush, eyedropper, and face selection. Edge-wear and crevice-dirt generators show real-time previews and offer color presets. A screen-space stencil can display reference images for painting or decal projection, and the texture shelf browses local PNG and JPG files. MeshCoat imports OBJ, GLB, and glTF models and exports composite maps as PNG. The maker says results update at 60 FPS and undo and redo extend to 100 steps. The app is in development and licensed under GPL-3.0-or-later.
Good
- Free tool with optional contributions.
- Runs locally without accounts or network calls.
- Supports OBJ, GLB, and glTF imports.
- Layer stack includes opacity and merge controls.
- Includes 100-step undo and redo.
Watch out
- Marked as in development.
- Model preparation calls for welded seams and non-overlapping UVs.
Who it suits
MeshCoat suits 3D artists and game developers who want a local texture-painting tool with layers and procedural wear and dirt effects. Its maker recommends preparing models as a single mesh, welding seams, and using non-overlapping UVs.
Verdict
MeshCoat covers core 3D painting, layered editing, and procedural surface effects in a free local app. Check its development status and model-preparation recommendations before choosing it.
Plans and prices
From MeshCoat's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| MeshCoat | Free | Free tool · optional support payment · Name your own price; optional contributions of $1, $2, $5, or $10 |
The facts
Each one read from MeshCoat's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Availability
- The itch.io page marks MeshCoat as in development and provides a download link on GitHub.checked 9 Oct 2026
- File formats
- MeshCoat imports OBJ, GLB, and glTF models and exports composite maps as PNG.checked 9 Oct 2026
- History and performance
- The maker states that composite results update at 60 FPS and the app has 100-step undo and redo.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Layers
- Its non-destructive layer stack supports hiding, reordering, opacity adjustment, duplication, merging, and live blending.checked 9 Oct 2026
- License
- MeshCoat is licensed under GPL-3.0-or-later.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Local operation
- The maker says MeshCoat runs locally, needs no account or subscription, and loads textures from folders on disk.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Model preparation
- The maker recommends joining the model into a single mesh, welding seams, and using non-overlapping UVs.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Painting tools
- Tools include brush, stamp, eraser, fill bucket, effects brush, eyedropper, and face selection.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Privacy and runtime
- The maker says MeshCoat has no accounts, telemetry, or network calls and contains no runtime AI or machine learning models.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Procedural tools
- Edge wear and crevice dirt generators provide real-time 3D previews and color presets.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- MeshCoat is a fast, focused 3D model texture painter for game developers and 3D artists.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Stencil and shelf
- A screen-space stencil displays reference images for painting or decal projection, and the texture shelf browses local PNG and JPG files.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The itch.io purchase page says the tool is free and accepts optional contributions; it lists no other support terms.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Surface painting
- It maps brush strokes from 3D camera space into UV coordinates in real time and uses hardware accelerated shaders.checked 9 Oct 2026
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