Comparison

Design Materials vs 3D Model Viewer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Design Materials

This app serves as an offline reference guide for various design materials, including polymers and metals. It allows users to manage their own material data, view 3D models, and capture objects with their device's camera. Ideal for professionals and hobbyists involved in product design and 3D printing.

Highlights
  • Offline material reference guide
  • Custom material and resin management
  • 3D model viewer and import/export
  • Object capture via device camera
  • Favorites and notes section
  • Cross-device compatibility (iOS, macOS)
Features
Read full description

Design Materials is an offline material reference guide trusted by hundreds of Engineers, Architects and Designers all over the World. The App was created to be a personal tool to help me take design decisions during the concept ideation of industrial products, in particular for 3D printing. Due to high demand, I decided to make it public and share it's information and power. Basically, it provides the fundamentals for most design/engineer materials on the market, based on reliable and curated academic sources. In addition, you can now create and manager your own Material, Resin or Filament data. Finally, the App features Apple Intelligence (AI) with a pair of Entity Masters in material engineering and STEM: HAL 9000 and Elemento, which can be accessed 24/7 while being on or offline (no internet). The guide contains material categories such as polymers, metals, naturals and more. All of these include synthetic, organic, bio-degradable, plastic, and much more subcategories. Each material contains information such as: About, Properties, Tags, Applications, Types and Photos. HAL 9000 & Elemento (AI entities): The legend of HAL is back. Ask anything from space to robotics or biology, HAL and Elemento are Gods of material engineering and science. HAL does precise flawless analysis while Elemento brings fresh human creativity with an attitude. In addition, you can choose the Tone of AI: Formal, Friendly, Direct or Arrogant. Both AI Entities work offline 24/7. Other features includes: • AI Chat with HAL 9000 or Elemento • Material Packs (subscribers) • 3D-model viewer/import/export • Object Capture: Scan Objects • Favorites section • Offline reference (no Internet needed) • Long list of properties per material • Save Notes per material/resin/filament • Create Designs using Apple Pencil • Support for all iPhone screen sizes • Dark Mode • iPadOS support • MacOS support • Continuous Updates with New Content • UNIVERSAL PURCHASE - One Payment for all Devices New Pro version auto-renew subscriptions: - 1 year (Gold) | 3 month (Silver) | 1 month (Bronze) subscriptions* - Access to all material database ABOUT SUBSCRIPTIONS • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period.

 • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal.
 • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase.
 • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. 

• Terms of use (EULA): https://www.termsfeed.com/live/faff17b4-8765-4690-b57e-9aabde3d2950

About

3D Model Viewer

View and interact with various 3D model formats in both AR and 3D modes. This intuitive tool supports local and cloud documents, custom backgrounds, and shadow casting. Easily import models via multiple methods and share your creations.

Highlights
  • AR and 3D viewing modes
  • Supports numerous 3D file formats
  • Local and cloud document integration
  • Customizable backgrounds and shadows
  • Model information display (size, volume, etc.)
  • Multiple import and sharing options
Features
Read full description

An advanced 3D model viewer for viewing all kinds of 3D models. Featuring AR viewing, custom rotation pivot and exploded assembly view. Preview mesh models including OBJ, STL, STP, DAE, PLY and Blend, supporting rendering, animation playback, 3D printing and model data inspection. Features 1. Support AR and 3D viewing modes. 2. Customizable background and environment lighting. 3. Animation preview for GLB, GLTF, FBX and more formats. 4. Real-time shadow casting. 5. Local & cloud document management (iCloud, DropBox, etc.). 6. Set custom rotation pivot point for model viewing. 7. Exploded view function to separate assembly parts. 8. Wide format support: STP, STEP, BERP, IGES, 3DS, OBJ, GLB, GLTF, STL, SLC, 3MF, PLY, OFF, DAE, Blend, FBX, USDZ, MD2, MD3, MD5, MDL, MS3D, DXF, X Read packaged archives containing models, MTL files and textures: ZIP, RAR. 9. Multiple import ways: iTunes File Sharing, AirDrop, iCloud, email attachments, web download. 10. File sharing via AirDrop or Email. 11. Capture, share and save screenshots. 12. Auto rotation and full-screen viewing mode. 13. Display model metrics: dimensions, volume, surface area, vertex count and triangle count. 14. Folder management in the file browser. If you have any suggestions or questions, please email belighten@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!

Screenshots

Design Materials4 screens
3D Model Viewer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Design Materials at none against 3D Model Viewer's shown. Design Materials also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.2). 3D Model Viewer's advantage is review sentiment (59% vs 33%) and ratings volume (328 vs 2). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Design Materials sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and 3D Model Viewer sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Design Materials holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 3D Model Viewer has 328 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of Design Materials's written reviews are positive against 59% of 3D Model Viewer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Design Materials ships an update every 3 months, 3D Model Viewer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on July 23, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Design Materials versus 3D Model Viewer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDesign Materials3D Model Viewer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2 ratings) — better4.2 (328 ratings)
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews59.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2328 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS18.615.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChrystian Enriquez健 钟

Customer experience

Design Materials

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

3D Model Viewer

All ratings328 ratings
Positive78.7%
Neutral2.7%
Negative18.6%
Written reviews103 reviews
Positive59.2%
Neutral3.9%
Negative36.9%

Bugs and requests

Design Materials

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

3D Model Viewer

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes when trying to delete models
  • Cannot open .3mf and .glb files
  • Texture and shading issues with some models

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for more 3D file formats
  • Improve model rendering quality
  • Implement better file management options
  • Provide more customization and control over model view

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Design Materials

Subscriptions3
  • Bronze member$7.991 Month
  • Silver member$17.993 Months
  • Gold member$49.991 Year
5 purchases

3D Model Viewer

One-time5
  • Remove Ads$1.99
  • Model & Screenshot Output$1.99
  • Background from Album$1.99
Show 2 more
  • Large File Model$1.99
  • All Features$5.99

Questions

Is Design Materials free?
Design Materials is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 3D Model Viewer free?
3D Model Viewer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Design Materials or 3D Model Viewer?
Design Materials is rated higher. Design Materials averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while 3D Model Viewer averages 4.2 from 328 ratings.
Do Design Materials or 3D Model Viewer have ads?
3D Model Viewer shows ads; Design Materials does not.
Which is updated more often, Design Materials or 3D Model Viewer?
Design Materials ships an update every 3 months, and 3D Model Viewer every 3 weeks. Most recently, Design Materials was updated on July 23, 2026 and 3D Model Viewer on September 21, 2026.

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