Autodesk 3ds Max

Autodesk's Windows 3D modeling, animation and rendering software, popular in arch-viz and games.

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About Autodesk 3ds Max

3ds Max is a Windows-only 3D package with a modifier-stack approach to modeling that many artists find fast for hard-surface and architectural work. It is especially common in architectural visualisation, where it pairs with renderers such as V-Ray and Corona and imports data from Revit and AutoCAD, and in game asset production. It includes polygon and spline modeling, retopology tools, animation and character tools, particle systems, the Arnold renderer and support for USD workflows, and a vast market of commercial plug-ins extends it further. It is not available on Mac or Linux, and like other Autodesk tools it is costly for individuals. Autodesk sells it by subscription, with monthly and annual terms, Flex pay-per-day tokens, an Indie licence in eligible countries and free education licences, plus a free trial.

Best for: Architectural visualisation artists and game modelers on Windows.

What works

Fast modifier-based modeling for hard-surface and architecture
Huge ecosystem of renderers and plug-ins
Smooth data exchange with Revit and AutoCAD

Why people leave

Windows only
Expensive subscription
Animation tools less favoured than Maya's for characters

Top Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives

See all 5

1
Blender
Free and cross-platform, increasingly used for arch-viz and game assets.
81.5
2
Cinema 4D
Runs on Mac as well as Windows, with an approachable interface and Redshift.
77.6
3
Autodesk Maya
Autodesk's choice for character animation and studio VFX pipelines.
64.1
4
SketchUp
Much simpler architectural modeling, often paired with a separate renderer.
57.2
5Rh
Rhino
Precise NURBS modeling for architects, with a perpetual licence.
55.3

Why people left Autodesk 3ds Max

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Autodesk 3ds Max: common questions

Is Autodesk 3ds Max free?

No, Autodesk 3ds Max is a paid product.

Is Autodesk 3ds Max open source?

No, Autodesk 3ds Max is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Blender.

What platforms does Autodesk 3ds Max run on?

Autodesk 3ds Max is available for Windows.

What are the best alternatives to Autodesk 3ds Max?

The highest-ranked Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives right now are Blender, Cinema 4D and Autodesk Maya. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives