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 Spline.

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Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives are mainly 3D Modelers but may also be 3D Animators or CAD Software.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Autodesk 3ds Max.
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Professional-grade 3D modeling, rendering, and animation software, used for creating detailed worlds across film, TV, games, and design projects.

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Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives page was last updated Nov 28, 2024
  1. Blender icon
     1672 likes

    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.

    143 Blender alternatives
    Splash Artwork for Blender 4.3

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Steam
    • Flatpak

    Top Blender Features

    1.  3D Animation
    2.  3D Sculpting
    3.  Real time rendering
    4.  Compositor
    5.  Community-based
    6.  Keyframe Animation
    7.  Texturing
    8.  Animation Rigging
    9.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    10.  3D Renderer
    11.  Texture painting
    12.  Grease Pencil
    Blender iconAutodesk 3ds Max Icon

    Blender VS Autodesk 3ds Max

    Is Blender a good alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max?
     
    Comments about Blender as an Alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max
     
       
    Guest

    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!

    Top positive commentJun 27, 2017
    9
    Guest

    Blender is free but is hard to use

    Top negative commentJan 30, 2017
    0
    Guest

    Lower learning curve and high usability.

    Positive commentDec 10, 2020
    0
    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
  2. SketchUp icon
     551 likes

    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.

    164 SketchUp alternatives
    Main UI

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online

    SketchUp Features

    1.  3D Animation
    2.  3d sketching
    3.  Built-in 3D model viewer
    4.  Pencil
    5.  3d Drawing
    6.  Cabinet design
    7.  Image to 3D
    8.  Mechanical Design
    9.  Browser-based
    SketchUp iconAutodesk 3ds Max Icon

    SketchUp VS Autodesk 3ds Max

    Is SketchUp a good alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max?
     
    • 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 Freemium and ProprietaryAutodesk 3ds Max is Paid and Proprietary
  3. Autodesk Maya icon
     147 likes

    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.

    64 Autodesk Maya alternatives
    Autodesk Maya screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Autodesk Maya Features

    1.  3D Sculpting
    2.  Keyframe Animation
    3.  Texturing
    4.  Cross-Platform
    Autodesk Maya iconAutodesk 3ds Max Icon

    Autodesk Maya VS Autodesk 3ds Max

    Is Autodesk Maya a good alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max?
     
    • Most users think Autodesk Maya is a great Autodesk 3ds Max alternative.

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

    • Autodesk Maya is Paid and ProprietaryAutodesk 3ds Max is also Paid and Proprietary
  4. Cinema 4D icon
     82 likes

    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...

    49 Cinema 4D alternatives
    Cinema 4D screenshot 1

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    Cinema 4D Features

    1.  Rendering
    2.  Keyframe Animation
    3.  Support for scripting
    4.  Procedural Modeling
    Cinema 4D iconAutodesk 3ds Max Icon

    Cinema 4D VS Autodesk 3ds Max

    Is Cinema 4D a good alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max?
     
  5. Spline icon
     21 likes

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

    19 Spline alternatives
    Spline screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

    Spline Features

    1.  No Coding Required
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Real time collaboration
    4.  3D design
    5.  Web-Based
    Spline iconAutodesk 3ds Max Icon

    Spline VS Autodesk 3ds Max

    Is Spline a good alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max?
     
    • Spline is the most popular SaaS alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max.

    • Spline is Freemium and ProprietaryAutodesk 3ds Max is Paid and Proprietary
  6. Bforartists icon
     32 likes

    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.

    75 Bforartists alternatives
    Splash

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • MorphOS

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Rendering
    2.  3D Sculpting
    3.  Texturing
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Keyframe Animation
    7.  Motion Capture
    8.  Live Preview
    9.  Parametric Modeling
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  No registration required
    12.  Support for Layers
    Bforartists iconAutodesk 3ds Max Icon

    Bforartists VS Autodesk 3ds Max

    Is Bforartists a good alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max?
     
    Comments about Bforartists as an Alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max
     
    hamadaspider

    i learn blender with this software , many thanx for devolp

    Positive commentJun 3, 2018
    1
    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 LightweightAutodesk 3ds Max is not according to our users
  7. Rhinoceros icon
     31 likes

    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.

    62 Rhinoceros alternatives
    Rhinoceros screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Nurb Surfacing
    2.  Parametric Modeling
    3.  Support for scripting
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Procedural Modeling
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  3D Sculpting
    8.  Portable
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
    Rhinoceros iconAutodesk 3ds Max Icon

    Rhinoceros VS Autodesk 3ds Max

    Is Rhinoceros a good alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max?
     
  8. Houdini icon
     36 likes

    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.
    50 Houdini alternatives
    Houdini screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Houdini Features

    1.  Procedural Modeling
    2.  Node Based
    3.  Motion Capture
    4.  3D Sculpting
    5.  3D Renderer
    Houdini iconAutodesk 3ds Max Icon

    Houdini VS Autodesk 3ds Max

    Is Houdini a good alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max?
     
  9. Womp icon
     9 likes

    Womp is a free and beginner friendly browser based 3D design software, allowing anyone to easily create professional and 3D printing ready creations live from virtually any device and without any technical knowledge.

    7 Womp alternatives
    Womp - Discover Page with 3D assets

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Platforms

    • Online

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  3D Renderer
    2.  Browser-based
    3.  Web-Based
    4.  Portable
    5.  No Coding Required
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Live Preview
    8.  Augmented Reality
    9.  Real time collaboration
    10.  Keyframe Animation
    11.  3D Sculpting
    12.  Node Based
    Womp iconAutodesk 3ds Max Icon

    Womp VS Autodesk 3ds Max

    Is Womp a good alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max?
     
9 of 84 Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives