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

The best open source alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max is Blender. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Autodesk 3ds Max and 12 is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Autodesk 3ds Max are Bforartists, Art of Illusion, K-3D and Range Engine.

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Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives are mainly 3D Modelers, but if you're looking for 3D Animators or CAD Software you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Android, Free, Open Source, Mac, Linux and iPad. 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. Blender icon

    Blender

     1743 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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    9
    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. 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
  4. 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.

    33 Art of Illusion alternatives

    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
  5. K-3D icon

    K-3D

     31 likes
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    K-3D is free-as-in-freedom 3D modeling and animation software. It features a plugin-oriented procedural engine for all of its content, making K-3D a very versatile and powerful package.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    K-3D screenshot 1
     
  6. Range Engine icon

    Range Engine

     2 likes
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    Range Engine is a light and powerful game engine and 3D software, made based on Blender Game Engine with improvements from UPBGE.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Python
    • Blender
    Range Engine screenshot 1
     
  7. OpenFX icon

    OpenFX

     5 likes
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    OpenFX is an open-source, free modeling and animation studio, distributed under the GNU General Public License.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    OpenFX screenshot 1
     
  9. DeleD CE icon

    DeleD CE

     10 likes
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    DeleD is a 3D modeler and level-editor combined into one. It focuses at game development and is specifically designed to create static objects/worlds. Other areas in which you can put DeleD to good use are, for example, educational services, webdesign, prototyping and image...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    DeleD CE screenshot 1
     
  10. Nirvana 3D icon

    Nirvana 3D

     1 like
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    A game engine written in Python, extending support across multiple GPU devices with 3D rendering, PBR Renderer and much more.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • Python
    3D Rendering of the Nirvana 3D Logo
     

    • Nirvana 3D is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max.

    • Nirvana 3D is Free and Open SourceAutodesk 3ds Max is Paid and Proprietary
  11. CrackArt icon

    CrackArt

     10 likes
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    CrackArt is a free open source 3D paint and texturing application that includes Texture Painting, Texture Baking, Procedural Materials and Textures, and much more.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Texture painting
     
  12. GLC_Player icon

    GLC_Player

     16 likes
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    GLC_Player is a software used to view 3D models (COLLADA 3DXML OBJ 3DS STL OFF and COFF format are supported) and to navigate easily in these models. With the album management, capture and multi-capture capabilities, HTML export and navigation possibilities, GLC_Player is the...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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    1
    Comments about GLC_Player as an Alternative to Autodesk 3ds Max
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    It is only a viewer, and not a modeler.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Autodesk 3ds Max Icon
    GLC_Player icon
    • GLC_Player is Free and Open SourceAutodesk 3ds Max is Paid and Proprietary
  13. Dead Deer icon

    Dead Deer

     3 likes
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    Dead Deer is a 3D modeler, 3D game maker, and a 3D demo maker designed to create games.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Dead Deer screenshot 1
     
  14. Gmsh icon

    Gmsh

     15 likes
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    Gmsh is a 3D finite element grid generator with a build-in CAD engine and post-processor. Its design goal is to provide a fast, light and user-friendly meshing tool with parametric input and advanced visualization capabilities.

    30 Gmsh alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Gmsh screenshot 1
     
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