Pick the right 3D model for each task
A decision table for every task in the 3D course: create, process, animate, split, edit, worlds, textures and skies, with the recommended model, a typical cost in credits and a typical time.
- Guide
- Step 1 Learn
This last lesson picks the right model for each 3D task, with what it typically costs and how long it takes.
Create a model
| Task | Model | Why | Credits (typical) | Time (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Text to 3D | Rodin Gen-2.5 | quick start from a prompt | 60 | about 2 min |
| Image to 3D | Tripo 3.1 | fast, cheap first model | 45 | about 2 min |
| More detail | Meshy 7.1 | finer detail from one image | 120 to 160 | 2 to 6 min |
| Multi-view | Tripo P2 Multi View | front, side and back views | 260 to 270 | 2 to 4 min |
| Build objects | Opus 5.5 3D or Astra 3D | clean objects, separate parts | 300 to 1,500 | 10 min or more |
One clean, full body image becomes a textured 3D model. With more views, the model also sees the back, so less is guessed.
Process
| Task | Model | Why | Credits (typical) | Time (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retopology | Tripo Retopology | lighter, cleaner topology | 15 | about 4 min |
| UV unwrap | Tencent UV Unwrapping | lays out the UVs | 23 | about 1.5 min |
| Retexture | Tripo 3.0 Texturing | new texture, same mesh | 15 to 30 | about 1.5 min |
| Fast retexture | Meshy 7 Retexture | about a minute per run | 40 | about 1 min |
Rig and animate
| Task | Model | Why | Credits (typical) | Time (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigging | Rodin Rigging | seven skeleton types | 60 | under 1 min |
| Cheap rig | Meshy Rigging | the lowest cost rig | 20 | about 1 min |
| Text to motion | Kimodo or Viggle | describe the move | 20 | under 1.5 min |
| Video to motion | Viggle or Cartwheel | copy a filmed performance | 110 to 242 | about 5 min |
Split and edit
| Task | Model | Why | Credits (typical) | Time (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segmentation | Tripo Segmentation v2 | keeps your exact faces | 80 | under 1 min |
| Print parts | Hitem3D Split | parts with joints | 80 | about 3.5 min |
| Print colors | Hitem3D Multicolor | one color per filament | 80 | about 3 min |
| Edit a 3D file | Opus 5.5 3D or Astra 3D | change it with a prompt | 75 to 1,200 | 1.5 to 8 min |
For Opus and Astra, Effort changes both the cost and the time: try ideas at Standard, and go higher for the final asset.
Worlds, textures and skies
| Task | Model | Why | Credits (typical) | Time (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World, prompt | Marble 1.1 | prompt, photo or video to a world | 40 to 496 | 1 to 6 min |
| World, photo | HY World Image to Splat | one photo to a 360 world | 580 to 1,600 | about 30 min |
| Object splat | TripoSplat | one object photo to a splat | 25 | under 1 min |
| Texture | Scenario Texture | tileable texture from a prompt | 28 to 33 | about 1.5 min |
| PBR maps | PATINA Image to Maps | five maps from one texture | 13 to 18 | under 30 s |
| Skybox | Scenario Skybox GPT or Flux | 360 panorama from a prompt | 27 to 32 | about 1.5 min |
Costs and the agent
These costs are typical. Your settings change them, and the Generate button always shows the exact price before you run.
Not sure which model? Ask the agent: describe your task, and it recommends a model for you.