3ds Max vs Lumion

SketchUp

Blender

Rhino 7

Cinema 4D

V-Ray

Corona Renderer

Compare 3ds Max and Lumion based on features, pricing, verified reviews, integrations & more on GetApp. Find out which software is best for your business in 2026.

Blender is an on-premise game development platform, which helps small to large businesses in technology, motion pictures, graphic designing, online media, computer games, and other sectors manage 3D printing, develop animations, create visual effects, and more. The software provides various functionality including python scripting, sculpting tools, data export, sound synchronization, and custom colors.

Cinema 4D is a 3D software package developed by Maxon Computer GmbH which is designed to enable beginners and professionals to create 3D textures, computer graphics and animations, at high resolutions. It should simplify graphics workflow.

SketchUp is a design and collaboration solution that helps businesses streamline AEC and interior design workflows. Its intuitive 3D modeler allows users to visualize projects, while its 2D documentation and AR/VR viewing applications keep stakeholders aligned throughout the design-build process.

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, modify textures, and apply material finishes to models.

2D Drawing

3D Design & Modeling

3D Games

3D Modeling

3D Objects

Animation

Animations & Transitions

Annotations

Building Information Model

Configurable Workflow

Content Library

Design Management

Drag & Drop

Media Import

Multiple Projects

No-Code

Physics Simulation

Project Management

Rendering

Third-Party Integrations

Video Content

Workflow Management

3ds Max

Web-based

Windows

Graphic Designer

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

Owner

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.

Graduate Research Assistant

The best thing about 3ds Max is that its user interface is not cluttered like other similar tools. It has a huge user community and a plenty tutorials out there.

Executive Technical sourcer

Its is useful to 3D Modelling, it is easy to sketch 3D. Its has a perfect Building show up in Civil field, we used to Scenario in that.

Developer

This software allows me to proceed quicker and better than with others, allowing me to finish my project in the stablished time I have. The workflow is smooth and results great.

Graphic Design

All tool & 3d rendering is nice and perfect for work in the project.

Real Estate Agent

Other critics resent the cumbersome interface and attribute feature overload in hindering novices, particularly where rapid turnaround is required for high-pressure client presentations.

From animations for small websites to feature film, Max can handle it and many of the top tier movies you know and love were made with it. It's power can't be overestimated.

With 3ds Max you can easily create complex 3d models and maps. Best suited for architectural and game rendering that requires premium graphics.

Director

It was worth the significant upfront investment when ownership and upgrade options were available.

Online Manager

The Object mapping is a little confusing it took a while for me to figure out how to map a skin to an object with texture.

Engineer

The only drawback is the cost, so after my paid subscription expires, I'll be returning to Blender.

light designer

The 3ds Max interface is intimidating and takes a little longer to learn to use.

Graduate Architect

It's sometimes really difficult to track an error. You can be puzzled for days if you don't know what you did wrong.

Game Director

The software is also well-supported by a vast online community of users, providing helpful tutorials and resources.

Architect 

Quality is unmatched.3rd party software integration is available.

Architect and 3D modeler

It confused me at the beginning, but then I started to understand it once I used it more.

I really like it, but I wish it would cost a lot less.

3ds Max screenshot: 3ds Max 3d Modeling

3ds Max screenshot: 3ds Max animation

3ds Max screenshot: 3ds Max free form modeling

Freelancers

Large Enterprises

Mid Size Business

Public Administrations

Small Business

Chaos® V-Ray® is a 3D rendering plugin available for SketchUp, 3ds Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, Rhino, Revit, and more. It is widely used in architectural visualization, advertising, and visual effects for film and television.

This uninhibited free-form 3D modeling tool allows users to create designs quickly while maintaining accuracy and measurements.

Corona is a 3D rendering plugin available for Autodesk 3ds Max and Cinema 4D. It’s specifically designed for architecture visualization and animation.

From early ideas to final visuals, Lumion’s real-time rendering solutions—Lumion View and Lumion Pro—fit naturally into your workflow, making visualization fast, seamless, and intuitive. Designed for architects, designers, and visualizers, Lumion supports every step of the creative process.

3D Imaging

3D Light Rendering

3D Texture Rendering

BIM Modeling

Collaboration Tools

Communication Management

Comparison View

Component Library

Data Import/Export

Data Visualization

For AEC Industry

For Architects

Image Editing

Landscape Design

Modeling & Simulation

Panoramas

Presentation Tools

Real Time Comparisons

Real-time Product Visualizations

Real-Time Updates

Video Creation

Lumion

Architect

The best part of this software is its user interface, it's really easy to use and learn for someone using it for the first time. It's a great tool for 3D Animation and really good quality renderings.

Chairmen

Great quality of textures and great quality of scenes. The best feature of this software is landscaping and the rendering of walkthrough.

Design Manager

It saves time for creating superb animation walkthroughs/flythroughs and stunning images.

Architect/ Graphic Designer

It gave me a lot of good reviews and feedbacks for my designs from my clients. They were able to see a nice visualization and presentation of my designs.

Civil Structural Engineer

And it creates amazing Quality pictures for showing to clients, posters and all printable media.

Changing the environmental conditions, weather and landscape, is easy to accomplish and interesting for the over whole rendering result without spending hours to do it.

LumiOn has a very good learning curve as it is easy to learn and has very intuitive tools.

Architectural Designer

There is no edit feature inside of the program and the working area is limited to 2km to 2km making working with large landscapes difficult.

Ease of use and the ability to integrate into workflow quite easily. You can produce way faster than with traditional rendering softwares.

Also, its interface can be confusing sometimes.

Designer

I guess the main thing I dislike is the fact that you cant use more than one computer to render in a network. Also you cant use the software in more than one computer at the same time.

LimiOn's library of native resources is great, very diverse, varied and almost complete.

Photo rendering effects (shadows, contrast, reflection, water…) create a more realistic render without difficulties and video rendering features are easy to use and give a remarkable outcome.

ARCHITECTE

Forms site that we import ,I cannot put it precisely in place I must put digital coordinates. It bothers me that he cannot model.

Doesn't fulfill my expectations on 3D renderings. You have to invest a lot on a great video card if you want to have a good experience.

It is a wonderful and fast program that does not cost much time, although there are some shortcomings. I wish for more success and development.

3ds Max vs Lumion Comparison (2026)

3ds Max

Lumion

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

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Alternatives