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3ds Max

3D modeling, animation, and rendering software

Table of Contents

3ds Max - 2026 Pricing, Features, Reviews & Alternatives

All user reviews are verified by in-house moderators and provider data by our software research team. Learn more

Last updated: March 2026

3ds Max overview

What is 3ds Max?

3ds Max is a 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software, which helps users manage design visualization and development of games, and other 3D content. The modeling and texturing functionality enables designers to create and animate geometry via spline workflows, modify textures, apply material finishes, and handle mesh and surface modeling using a built-in editor.

3ds Max includes animation and effects tools, which allow organizations to design realistic liquid behaviors like oil, lava, and water, create procedural animation and characters, and preview and adjust animation paths, trajectories, and other elements. Features include API access, rigging tools, a scene converter, CAD and BIM file import, and more. Developers can also create personalized workspaces and automated workflows to handle new projects with folder structures and data storage capabilities.

3ds Max’s Autodesk Viewer workflow lets design professionals share and provide feedback on models. It also supports integration with Python 3, Open Shading Language (OSL), and various third-party applications.

Starting price

205 /
per month

Pros & Cons

3D Animation

User Interface

Architectural Modeling

Model Editing

3ds Max’s user interface

Ease of use rating:

4.6

(113)

3ds Max pros, cons and reviews insights

To determine these pros and cons insights, we analyzed responses from

Overall rating

Reviews sentiment

1-2(2)

3-4(31)

5(80)

What do users say about 3ds Max?

An amazing rendering tool helping architects to develop skills in video editing and animation to animate a 3D project virtually in full.

Select to learn more

Who uses 3ds Max?

Based on 113 verified user reviews.

Company size

Small Businesses

Enterprises

Midsize Businesses

Top industries

Architecture & Planning

Design

Animation

Construction

Others

Use cases

Animation

3D Architecture

3D CAD

Game Development

3D Rendering

3ds Max's key features

Most critical features, based on insights from 3ds Max users:

3D modeling

4.7

(54)

Rendering

4.6

(54)

Animation

4.3

(25)

Animations & transitions

4.6

(27)

Media import

4.6

(27)

Design management

4.5

(11)

All 3ds Max features

Features rating:

4.6

(113)

3D objects

5.0

(1)

3D design & modeling

4.9

(15)

Multiple projects

4.2

(5)

Drag & drop

4.5

(31)

Third-Party integrations

4.6

(18)

Physics simulation

4.5

(11)

API

4.7

(3)

Project management

4.6

(10)

Content library

4.3

(38)

No-Code

4.3

(12)

2D drawing

3.9

(30)

Building information model

5.0

(1)

Video content

4.3

(13)

Annotations

3.7

(6)

Configurable workflow

(0)

3D games

(0)

Workflow management

1.0

(1)

3ds Max alternatives

3ds Max

4.6

(113)

Starting from

205

Per month

Free trial

Free version

Ease of Use

3.7

Features

4.6

Value for Money

4.0

Customer Support

4.1

AutoCAD

4.7

(3.2K)

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Starting from

No pricing info

Free trial

Free version

Ease of Use

Features

Value for Money

Customer Support

SolidWorks Premium

4.6

(755)

learn more

Starting from

No pricing info

Free trial

Free version

Ease of Use

Features

Value for Money

Customer Support

SketchUp

4.5

(1K)

learn more

Starting from

No pricing info

Free trial

Free version

Ease of Use

Features

Value for Money

Customer Support

3ds Max pricing

Value for money rating:

4.0

(113)

Starting from

205

Per month

Pricing details

Subscription

Free trial

Free plan

Pricing range

User opinions about 3ds Max price and value

Value for money rating:

4.0

(113)

To see what individual users think of 3ds Max's price and value, check out the review snippets below.

“I love the quality of the materials that you can get with V-ray, the details on things like wood or concrete are incredible.”

Verified reviewer

Anonymity request

“It can be used by anyone but it's particularly useful to professionals who need all the features. It has been around over 20-years so it's robust and mature.”

Rob H.

Owner