Questions
About Shapeaway, the digital clay sculpting app for Windows: price, tablets, printers, files and help.
What does Shapeaway cost?
£39 once, VAT included, with no subscription, and it’s £29 for the first month after launch (until 2 March 2027). A free demo does everything except export models, so you can sculpt as much as you like before you decide. Big upgrades (5.0 and on) will be half price for owners.
Do I need a drawing tablet?
No. Every tool works with a mouse. A pen tablet adds pressure: press harder and the brush grows and pushes more clay, shaped by a pressure curve you can edit. The pen’s eraser end inverts the tool and its barrel buttons turn and pan the view.
Does it run on a Mac or Linux?
Not at the moment. Shapeaway is a Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit) app.
Which 3D printers and slicers does it work with?
Any that read STL or 3MF. STL exports in millimetres with Z up, ready for Cura, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio or OrcaSlicer. Multi-colour 3MF reduces your paint to as many filament colours as your printer holds; Bambu Studio asks which filament each colour goes on, and in other slicers you give each part its own filament. See Exporting to your slicer and Opening your 3MF in your slicer.
How big can a sculpt get?
The clay grows in any direction up to a build limit, 1 metre by default, and memory follows the surface rather than the volume. When a sculpt reaches its build or memory limit, Shapeaway asks whether to raise it. Fine detail costs memory: Ultra is best with 16 GB, Studio with 32 GB.
I already use Blender or ZBrush. Will I feel at home?
Mostly. Familiar brushes are here (Clay Strips, Dam Standard, Snake Hook, Trim, Move), shortcuts can be rebound, and GLB and OBJ round-trip into Blender. The big difference is that the clay is a volume, so there is no topology to manage. Read Coming from Blender or ZBrush.
How do I report a bug?
In Shapeaway choose Settings › Save a report…, which zips your logs, settings and last autosave. Nothing is sent anywhere; attach the zip when you contact support.
Will my old sculpts open in 4.0?
Yes. Every version opens every earlier file. Sculpts saved by 4.0 that use detail meshes, hair or photo references use a newer file format, which 3.0 and older cannot open.
Why does Windows warn me when I install it?
Windows SmartScreen may say “Windows protected your PC” because it hasn’t seen a new version of a small app often yet. It isn’t a virus warning. Choose More info, check the app name, then Run anyway. Steam installs don’t see it. See Windows SmartScreen warning.
What can I do in the demo, and how do I unlock it?
Everything except exporting models: sculpt, paint, prepare prints and save as much as you like, and PNG images and GIF turntables are free. It never expires. To unlock exports, paste the licence key from your purchase email (it starts SAWY-) into Settings › Licence. Steam copies are always the full version. See Demo and full version.
Does Shapeaway send any data?
No. There is no account, no telemetry and no update check. Crash reports are only ever saved to a folder you choose.
How much memory do I need?
8 GB is plenty up to Fine detail. Ultra is best with 16 GB or more and Studio with 32 GB. Detail meshes scale their ceiling to your memory.
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