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

The best paid alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max is SketchUp. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Autodesk 3ds Max and many of them is paid so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting paid alternatives to Autodesk 3ds Max are Autodesk Maya, Cinema 4D, Houdini and Rhinoceros.

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Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives are mainly 3D Modelers, but if you're looking for 3D Animators or 3D Painting Apps you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Android, Free, Open Source, Mac, iPad and Linux. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Autodesk 3ds Max.
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Alternatives list

  1. SketchUp icon
     555 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.

    166 SketchUp alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
     
  2. Autodesk Maya icon
     149 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.

    61 Autodesk Maya alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  3. Cinema 4D icon
     84 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...

    47 Cinema 4D alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
     
  4. Houdini icon
     41 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.
    47 Houdini alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  5. Rhinoceros icon
     33 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.

    59 Rhinoceros alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
     
  6. Twinmotion icon
     6 likes

    Designed by architects for architects, veteran visualization studio KA-RA has announced the release of Twinmotion®2, an award winning real-time studio that lets architects and designers create, edit and share interactive 3D models.

    35 Twinmotion alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
     
  7. The Electric Image Animation System (EIAS) is an eminent 3D animation and rendering package. Available for the Mac and PC, with it, you can texture, animate and render your 3D scenes. Extraordinarily, EIAS includes the ability to network render to an unlimited number of...

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
     
  8. Lumion icon
     11 likes

    Lumion is a real-time 3D visualization tool for making movies and still shots of architecture, planning and design. It is also possible to give live demonstrations.

    46 Lumion alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  9. LightWave icon
     17 likes

    LightWave 3D combines a state-of-the-art renderer with powerful, intuitive modeling, and animation tools. Tools that may cost extra in other professional 3D applications are part of the product package, including 999 free cross-platform render nodes, support for Windows and Mac...

    46 LightWave alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
     
  10. Polydust icon
     Like

    Polydust is a 3D modeling app made for iPad. For low poly, polygonal and voxel graphics. Create beautiful models with powerful operations and modifiers.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • iPad
     
  11. Assetforge icon
     7 likes

    Asset Forge allows anyone to create 3D models and 2D sprites using building blocks. Finished assets are compatible with most available game engines.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  12. Carrara 8.5 icon
     7 likes

    Carrara 8.5 offers the latest in DAZ technology. Our software engineers have worked meticulously to ensure that the new features in Carrara 8.5 exceed the standard you've come to expect for Carrara. Carrara 8.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • DAZ Studio
     
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