Huion Kamvas 13 Gen 3 Review – Can It Handle 3D Sculpting?
When it comes to choosing a display tablet for 3D work, size, resolution, and pen performance all play a huge role. So when I got my hands on the Huion Kamvas 13 Gen 3, I had one big question: Can a budget-friendly, 13-inch tablet handle serious 3D sculpting and texturing?
To find out, I put it through its paces in ZBrush, sculpting Warwick from Arcane. Here’s what worked, what didn’t, and whether this tablet is a good choice for 3D artists.
First Impressions – Compact, Well-Built, and Matte Screen Goodness
Right out of the box, the Kamvas 13 Gen 3 feels well-built for its price. It’s lightweight and compact, making it super portable. The 13.3-inch display runs at 1920x1080 resolution, which is standard for entry-level tablets. It’s also noticeably more vibrant than older models, covering 99% of the sRGB and Rec.709 color gamuts—a plus for anyone doing texture work.
One of the first things I noticed was the matte screen texture. Huion calls this their Canvas Glass technology, and it’s designed to reduce glare and provide a more paper-like feel. I was pleasantly surprised by how nice it felt—just the right amount of friction for a natural drawing experience. I didn’t even need to wear the usual drawing glove.
Setup was easy, too. Calibration was quick, and like most display tablets, you can set up custom profiles for different software, which is useful when switching between sculpting, texturing, and painting.
Sculpting Test – How Does It Handle in ZBrush?
For this test, I sculpted Warwick from Arcane, which meant a lot of fine detailing—fur, scars, and mechanical elements. Here’s where things got interesting.
Pen Performance – Surprisingly Good
Huion’s latest PenTech 4.0 technology delivers a battery-free pen with three customizable side buttons and a dust-proof grip. It felt smooth, precise, and responsive, with no noticeable lag. Pressure sensitivity worked well, especially for organic sculpting. Compared to my Xencelabs pen, I actually liked the extra third button—it’s small, but having one more shortcut is always helpful.
Screen Resolution – 1080p Feels Tight for Sculpting
This is where I ran into some issues. 1920x1080 on a 13-inch screen sounds fine on paper, but in reality, I found myself constantly zooming in and out to see details properly. For sculpting in ZBrush, especially when working on fine textures, I really missed having 4K resolution. If you’re used to working on a higher-res screen, this will be noticeable.
Tablet Size – A Bit Cramped for 3D Work
The 13.3-inch display might work well for 2D artists, but for sculpting, it felt too small. I had to constantly adjust my workspace to see everything clearly, which slowed down my workflow. If this tablet were touchscreen, I could justify the smaller size, but without that feature, it’s just not ideal for sculpting.
Shortcuts and Dial Controllers – Not Enough for 3D
The Kamvas 13 comes with two dial controllers and five press keys, all customizable. These work great for 2D workflows, but for 3D? Not as much. As a sculptor, I rely on a ton of shortcuts, and five buttons just aren’t enough. I ended up ignoring them and sticking with my keyboard instead.
The radial menu built into the pen is a nice feature—it gives you six quick shortcuts—but I found it a bit limited. Ideally, it would allow for more than six commands and let you rename them instead of just assigning shortcuts.
Final Verdict – Who Is This Tablet For?
The Huion Kamvas 13 Gen 3 is a solid display tablet, but is it good for 3D artists? Here’s the breakdown:
Who Should Consider It?
✅ Beginners on a budget – If you’re just starting with digital sculpting and need an affordable tablet, this is a great option.✅ Artists who need a portable setup – If you travel or work on the go, the compact size is a plus.✅ 2D artists and texture painters – The vibrant colors and matte screen make it a strong choice for 2D work and texture painting.
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
❌ Serious 3D artists – The 1080p resolution and small screen make detailed sculpting harder. If you work with high-res assets, consider a larger or 4K display.❌ Artists who need a touchscreen – If you like to rotate, pinch, and zoom directly on the screen, this isn’t the tablet for you.❌ Shortcut-heavy workflows – The limited buttons and radial menu aren’t enough for complex 3D workflows.
Final Thoughts
At $250, the Huion Kamvas 13 Gen 3 is a good entry-level option for digital artists, especially for 2D work and texture painting. However, for 3D sculpting, the low resolution, small size, and lack of touchscreen make it a bit frustrating.
Would I use this as my daily 3D sculpting tablet? No. But if you’re a beginner, working on a budget, or need a portable second screen for sculpting and texturing on the go, it could be a worthwhile option.
Let me know—would you use a 13-inch tablet for 3D work? Or do you need a bigger screen to stay productive?
