UVLayout
UVLayout is a stand-alone application for creating and editing UV texture coordinates on 3D polymeshes and subdivision surfaces.
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. The application can automatically pack UV shells and stack similar shells so they share texture space. Subdivision calculations use the limit-surface shape. OBJ import and export are listed, and a plugin interface supports integration with other applications. UVLayout runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The maker describes use by game and visual-effects professionals, hobbyists, and students. A free demo includes basic, Hobbyist trial, and Professional trial modes, but none allows saving work. The maker reports that its macOS version does not work on macOS 26 Tahoe and suggests using the Windows version instead. Version 2025.02 added picking, snapping, pivot, selection, wireframe, and speed improvements.
Good
- Reduces UV stretching, compression, and skewing
- Includes symmetry and edge-loop editing tools
- Automatically packs and stacks UV shells
- Supports OBJ import and export
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
Watch out
- Demo modes cannot save work
- macOS version does not work on macOS 26 Tahoe
- Student licenses are non-commercial
- Professional Dongle requires a hardware key
Who it suits
It suits 3D artists, game and visual-effects professionals, hobbyists, and students who need UV editing and packing. Student plans are for non-commercial individual use.
Verdict
UVLayout provides dedicated UV creation, editing, flattening, and packing tools with OBJ support and plugin integration. Check the license terms and macOS compatibility before choosing a plan.
Plans and prices
From UVLayout's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Student Term | $35, paid once | Non-commercial individual use only · Otherwise same as Hobbyist · License expires after 4 months |
| Student Year | $100 a year | Non-commercial individual use only · Otherwise same as Hobbyist · License expires after 12 months |
| Hobbyist | $200, paid once | Most tools, including Symmetry Find, Basic Packing and Stacking · Windows and Mac OS X installs · Permanent license; free software updates for 12 months |
| Professional Dongle | $330, paid once | All tools · Windows, Mac OS X and Linux installs · Hardware key required · Permanent license; free software updates for 12 months |
| Professional Floating | $400, paid once | All tools · Windows, Mac OS X and Linux installs · Requires a server on a local area network · Permanent license; free software updates for 12 months |
The facts
Each one read from UVLayout's own pages, with the date it was checked.
The company
- Company headquarters
- Headus says its headquarters are in Perth, Western Australia.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1994checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Perth, Western Australia, Australiachecked 28 Sep 2026
What it does
- Demo limitations
- The free demo has a basic mode and Hobbyist and Professional trial modes, but none of these modes allow saving work.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Editing features
- The listed features include edge-loop detection, symmetry editing, distortion color feedback, edge straightening and flattening brushes.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker lists a plugin interface for integration into other applications.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker says UVLayout is used by professionals in games and visual effects, hobbyists and students.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Mesh formats
- The listed major features include OBJ import and export.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Packing
- UVLayout can automatically pack UV shells and stack similar shells for shared texture space.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- UVLayout is a stand-alone application for creating and editing UV texture coordinates for 3D polymeshes and subdivision surfaces.checked 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.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Subdivision surfaces
- Subdivision surface calculations are based on limit surface shape.checked 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.checked 11 Oct 2026
- UV flattening
- An optimizing algorithm spreads UVs to minimize texture stretching, compression or skewing.checked 11 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- 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.checked 11 Oct 2026
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