Discover the leading SaaS software comparison site

Each month we help +100k companies to find efficient online tools

Autodesk 3ds Max Review

Autodesk 3ds Max OUR SCORE 89%
starting price $185
our score 89%
free trial
  1. What is Autodesk 3ds Max
  2. Product Quality Score
  3. Main Features
  4. List of Benefits
  5. Technical Specifications
  6. Available Integrations
  7. Customer Support
  8. Pricing Plans
  9. Other Popular Software Reviews

What is Autodesk 3ds Max?

Autodesk 3ds Max is a web-based graphic design software, specifically for 3-D rendering and animation and is part of Autodesk suite of software for construction, engineering and architecture. It is used in game development, film and tv animation and product prototyping, too. The app suits both small business and enterprise requirements and supports both Windows and Mac. The app is capable to render high-definition details, lending reality to virtual objects such as characters, scenes and infrastructure. Its animation tools allow you to simulate scenarios and physics like the dynamics of a variety of fluids, gases and solids. These include lava, oil, water, rock, soil, cement, wood, clouds, steam, smoke, fire… the list goes on. You can also configure real-like camera viewpoints and effects, adding more depth to your work. Using geometrical referencing, the animation module lets you move objects in different directions and use mesh and surface variations. Another key feature here is the app’s rich library of 3-D content. You have access to a wide range of templated modeling, effects and texturing, thus, speeding up your work. The app has an open API to help you integrate external apps.

Product Quality Score

Features
9.1
Ease of use
9.0
Customer support
8.8
Value for money
8.8
8.9
TOTAL SCORE

Autodesk 3ds Max features

Main features of Autodesk 3ds Max are:

  • Max Creation Graph Controllers
  • Rendering in A360
  • Motion Paths
  • 3D Animation and Dynamics
  • Particle Flow Effects
  • MAX to LMV
  • 3ds Max Fluids
  • Live Link with Stingray Game Engine
  • Character Animation and Rigging Tools
  • Simple Simulation Data Import
  • 3D Rendering
  • Improved ActiveShade Rendering
  • Physical Camera
  • Arnold for 3ds Max
  • Smart Asset Packaging
  • General Animation Tools
  • Autodesk Raytracer Renderer (ART)
  • UI, Workflow, and Pipeline
  • Scene Converter
  • Asset Library
  • Geodesic Voxel and Heatmap Skinning
  • Customizable Workspaces
  • Spline Workflows
  • Improved pipeline Tools Integration
  • High DPI Display Support
  • Hair and Fur Modifier
  • 3D Modeling, Texturing, and Effects
  • Mesh and Surface Modeling
  • Texture Assignment and Editing
  • Data Channel Modifier
  • Blended Box Map

Autodesk 3ds Max Benefits

Benefits

The main benefits of Autodesk 3ds Max are its robust feature set, general usability, and flexibility. Here are more details of its benefits:

Create hi-definition objects and scenarios

The software has robust animation toolkit that lets you detail texture, surface and shape and moves objects in a variety of geometrical reference. The flexibility you get to create objects and motion allows you to simulate real-life scenes, such as flowing liquid, moving gas and static solids. Creative teams can execute their ideas with accuracy and more impact, for instance, creating graphical medical illustrations, realistic animations or detailed forensic explanations.

Professional tools

Although the software is intuitive for the beginner or hobbyist, its real strength lies on its professional feature set. Tools like multiple animation controllers, procedural animation settings, object linking for hierarchies and chains and deep rendering tools are key to creating broadcast-quality tv shows or films, high-definition games, detailed presentations and accurate blueprints, among others. Professionals like creatives, game developers, engineers, architects, and animators will find this platform capable to match their project specs.

Flexible and intuitive features

Despite the complexity of tools to render highly detailed depth in objects, the software has features that simplify the process. Notably, a workflow feature allows designers to convert scenes quickly using advanced rendering technology. Such tool lets users convert lights, materials and other elements from one rendition to another as a group or separately. The 3ds Max Material Editor makes it easy also to tweak textures, lighting and other effects on surfaces and shapes.

Technical Specifications

Devices Supported

  • Web-based
  • iOS
  • Android
  • Desktop

Customer types

  • Small business
  • Medium business
  • Enterprise

Support Types

  • Phone
  • Online

Autodesk 3ds Max Integrations

The following Autodesk 3ds Max integrations are currently offered by the vendor:

3ds Max works with other Autodesk apps, including:

  • Unreal
  • Fusion 360
  • Unity
  • Stingray
  • Revit
  • Inventor
  • SketchUp

An open API also allows you to configure integration.

Video

Customer Support

Phone
Online

Pricing Plans

Autodesk 3ds Max pricing is available in the following plans:

Free trial
3DS MAX SINGLE-USER LICENSE
$185.00/month
PART OF COLLECTION 1
$335.00/month
PART OF COLLECTION 2
$310.00/month
PART OF COLLECTION 3
$255.00/month