The Best Autodesk 3ds Max AlternativesTop 3D Modelers and other similar apps like Autodesk 3ds Max

Autodesk 3ds Max is described as 'Professional-grade 3D modeling, rendering, and animation software, used for creating detailed worlds across film, TV, games, and design projects' and is a very popular 3D Modeler in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Autodesk 3ds Max for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Web-based and iPad apps. The best Autodesk 3ds Max alternative is Blender, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Autodesk 3ds Max are SketchUp, Autodesk Maya, Cinema 4D and Bforartists.

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Alternatives list

  1. Blender icon

    Blender

     1745 likes
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    A comprehensive open-source 3D software suite for modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging, and animating. It supports renderings, simulations including fluid and cloth dynamics, complex compositing, video editing, and Python scripting, running across all major operating systems.

    139 Blender alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Steam
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft
    Splash Artwork for Blender 4.3
     
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    109
    Comments about Blender as an Alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    9

    It is really powerfull. It is only a 100 MB file (3ds Max is 1+ GB file). It really really requires low resources from a modest PC. Its is free!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    0

    Blender is free but is hard to use

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Lower learning curve and high usability.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Show more comments
    3 of 9 comments
    Autodesk 3ds Max Icon
    Blender icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Blender is a great Autodesk 3ds Max alternative.

    • Blender is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max.

    • Blender is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max.

    • Blender is Free and Open SourceAutodesk 3ds Max is Paid and Proprietary
    • Blender is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedAutodesk 3ds Max is not according to our users
  2. SketchUp icon

    SketchUp

     555 likes
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    Comprehensive 3D modeling software ideal for architecture, engineering, film, and gaming. It includes features like easy-to-use interface, sun and shadow analysis, color experimenting, and mock-up creation. Available in freeware and professional versions for diverse needs.

    165 SketchUp alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    Main UI
     
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    6

    • Some users think SketchUp is a great Autodesk 3ds Max alternative, some don't.

    • SketchUp is the most popular Web-based alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max.

    • SketchUp is the most popular commercial alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max.

    • SketchUp is Paid and ProprietaryAutodesk 3ds Max is also Paid and Proprietary
  4. Autodesk Maya icon

    Autodesk Maya

     149 likes
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    Professional-grade 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and visual FX software used in films, TV, and games, featuring advanced tools, Bifrost effects, and a visual programming environment for intricate simulations.

    61 Autodesk Maya alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Autodesk Maya screenshot 1
     
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    19
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Autodesk Maya icon
    Autodesk Maya

    Professional-grade 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and visual FX software used in films, TV, and games, featuring advanced tools, Bifrost effects, and a visual programming environment for intricate simulations.

    https://www.autodesk.com
    Learn More
  6. Cinema 4D icon

    Cinema 4D

     84 likes
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    CINEMA 4D is a commercial, cross-platform, high-end 3-D graphics application, produced by MAXON Computer GmbH of Friedrichsdorf, Germany. Noted for its flexible interface and ease of use, it is capable of procedural and polygonal/subd modelling, animating, lighting, texturing...

    47 Cinema 4D alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Cinema 4D screenshot 1
     
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    9
  7. Bforartists icon

    Bforartists

     34 likes
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    Bforartists is a complete 3D suite to create 3D content. It offers you the full 3D art pipeline to create game graphics, prerendered movies and stills.

    72 Bforartists alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • MorphOS
    Splash
     
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    1
    6
    Comments about Bforartists as an Alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max
    hamadaspider
    Positive
    1

    i learn blender with this software , many thanx for devolp

    Autodesk 3ds Max Icon
    Bforartists icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Bforartists is a great Autodesk 3ds Max alternative.

    • Bforartists is Free and Open SourceAutodesk 3ds Max is Paid and Proprietary
    • Bforartists is Lightweight and CustomizableAutodesk 3ds Max is not according to our users
  8. Spline icon

    Spline

     24 likes
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    Create 3D objects, edit materials, add interactivity, and export. Control the outcome of your 3d design work.

    19 Spline alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Spline screenshot 1
     

    • Spline is the most popular SaaS alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max.

    • Spline is Freemium and ProprietaryAutodesk 3ds Max is Paid and Proprietary
    • Spline is LightweightAutodesk 3ds Max is not according to our users
  10. Houdini icon

    Houdini

     40 likes
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    Houdini covers all the major areas of 3D production, including:

    • Modeling - All standard geometry entities including Polygons, (Hierarchical) NURBs/Bezier Curves/Patches & Trims, Metaballs
    • Animation - Keyframed animation and raw channel manipulation (CHOPs), motion captur.
    48 Houdini alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Houdini screenshot 1
     
  11. Rhinoceros icon

    Rhinoceros

     33 likes
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    Rhino can create, edit, analyze, document, render, animate, and translate NURBS* curves, surfaces, and solids, point clouds, and polygon meshes. There are no limits on complexity, degree, or size beyond those of your hardware.

    59 Rhinoceros alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Rhinoceros screenshot 1
     
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    6
  12. Vue icon

    Vue

     29 likes
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    Create vast expanses of terrains, add trees, select the best point of view and render hyper-realistic images of your landscapes in moody atmospheres... in a few mouse clicks.

    62 Vue alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    vue final
     
  13. Vectary icon

    Vectary

     12 likes
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    Vectary is the most accessible 3D and Augmented Reality design platform. Create an account for free online. No app download needed. Build immersive experiences for the real world. Publish 3D and Augmented Reality content to any website.

    38 Vectary alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    • Figma
    • madewitharkit
    • WebGL
    • Sketch
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Create 3D UI in Vectary
     
  14. TouchDesigner icon

    TouchDesigner

     9 likes
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    TouchDesigner is a complete authoring tool for building interactive 3D art, visualizations, prototypes and UIs. Derivative makes and supports TouchDesigner and offers their services to do custom production using TouchDesigner.

    32 TouchDesigner alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Sample project screen
     
  15. Art of Illusion icon

    Art of Illusion

     30 likes
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    Art of Illusion is a free, open source 3D modelling and rendering studio. It is written entirely in Java, and should be usable on any Java Virtual Machine which is compatible with Java 5 or later.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Art of Illusion screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Art of Illusion as an Alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    I love java and will start to develop a fork of this project.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Autodesk 3ds Max Icon
    Art of Illusion icon

    • Some users think Art of Illusion is a great Autodesk 3ds Max alternative, some don't.

    • Art of Illusion is Free and Open SourceAutodesk 3ds Max is Paid and Proprietary
12 of 83 Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives