# Page 2 | 3ds Max Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Page 2 - Is 3ds Max the right Animation solution for you? Explore 113 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/reviews --- 3ds Max 4.6 (113) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/206897/3ds-Max/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated March 13th, 2026 # Page 2 - Reviews of 3ds Max ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 26-50 of 113 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use VR Verified Reviewer User Information Technology and Services Used the software for: I used a free trial ### "Amazing software for 3D Modelling but quite expensive" February 23, 2025 4.0 Pros Pretty easy to use for architectural modelling and stuff, has simple ui. Great for animation and stuff. Integration with AutoCad is also present, rendering time is also fast and efficient Cons Quite costly, compared to softwares like Blender, Needs heavy computing power. Object Mapping seems a bit hard to learn. Switched from [Cinema 4D](https://www.capterra.com/p/210368/Cinema-4D/) Wanted to explore other options out there since Cinema 3d had some restrictions Review Source dW douglas W. owner Music Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "3ds max is worth it" September 30, 2024 5.0 I'm very satisfied with the product they have at Autodesk its more user friendly than people think i made something with it in the first day Pros i can use it along with my other media programs to make graphics or animations Cons nothing i have not had hardly anything go wrong with it ,if it did it was my machines fault Review Source FA Federico A. OWNER Printing Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "this is a must have software" April 23, 2025 5.0 just great, i created some great pieces, assets and scenes with it and rendered most Pros the vray engine, it absolutely wins above other engines of the same kind and feature Cons its hard at first to understand the interface, it is not so dynamic. Only at first, of course Review Source VW Vincent W. designer Marketing and Advertising Used the software for: 2+ years ### "3DSMax voor 3D" August 25, 2024 4.0 Heeft een tijd nodig om het te beheersen, maar het voldoet aan mijn visualisatie eisen. Pros stabiel systeem met jaarlijkse update dat voldoet aan huidige standaarden Cons 3DsMax draait helaas niet op macOS, dus je nmoet of een windows pc hebben of via parallels of bootcamp. Alternatives considered [Blender](https://www.capterra.com/p/167519/Blender/)[Cinema 4D](https://www.capterra.com/p/210368/Cinema-4D/) Reason for choosing 3ds Max ik kon niet wennen aan de overstap op een andere interface Review Source YM Yogesh M. Game Artist Computer Games Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Not for gaming and animation Modelling" January 9, 2025 3.0 Pros It's a useful tool for creating plans and precise interior and exterior designs. Cons It's a difficult software to learn plus the material creation and render part is not great. It's not a very powerful and intuitive tool. Review Source DZ Dejan Z. Freelancer Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Make you 3d models fast using 3ds Max" November 11, 2022 5.0 My best friend for past 15 years. I tried few similar ones, but they don't have what he has Pros It is very user friendly, not so hard to learn like other softwares, and for its price it can offer more than other similar softwares that are more expensive Cons Well, you must have a good and strong computer if you want to achieve what you want using Max.I cant say expensive, because it is a relative matter, but if you are an Freelancer architect, and you do this for the living, you need to make things fast... Review Source Roldan A. Senior Web Designer and Developer Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "3DS Has it all for professionals. But one thing..." November 13, 2022 5.0 It was a good experience. 3DS Max was the very first software I have used. During that time there is not much tutorial found in YouTube, so I have to figure out things on my own. But, yes, it was very much doable. Persistence is key to learning. You cannot be lazy in reading documentations. But with todays copious amount of learning videos and institutions, it shouldn't be easy to learn 3DS Max. Persistence and time are keys to learning. It takes time and persistence as 3DS Max is not an easy software to learn. Pros \- This is a more than 20-year old software and pretty much mature and almost have all that you need. I've used this software since 2007 and I'm amazed at how this renders objects on it's own.- Best used from simple projects to a more complex and gaming characterizations and 3D movies.- The level of customizability can be done up to the DNA level. - The rendering quality is just amazingly stunning, even on it's own rendering engine, couple it with third-party rendering software, it makes object render output even more elaborate. Cons \- One major issue I have with 3DS Max is the learning curve. It's harder to learn than, say, Cinema 4D. It is kind of verbose and complex to learn. I need a bit of persistence to learn it.- It has a very heavy native payload. It has like 8 to 9GB of payload on it's own. So, now if you add more libraries and other third-parties the load will even be more heavy. Review Source BJ Bacheter J. Senior modeler / VFX Artist Animation Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The best 3D software for all professionals" February 15, 2023 5.0 3DS Max allows me to do all my work in VFX with total guaranteed exceptional final quality. it is a tool that is fast, efficient and reliable. Compared with earlier versions, the latest version is more stable and has better performance in both functionality and modeling. The renderings are of excellent quality. Pros What surprised me most pleasantly is that in the new versions, 3DS max has a smart archiving tool that is available to you. Thus, the data relating to the management of your project will be easily accessible. You can make changes from anywhere. They will be immediately taken into account. Each member of your team will have access to project information. it's just fabulous. Cons The only problem with 3DS max is its rather exorbitant price which is not within everyone's reach, especially novices. Review Source Géovanny N. graphic designer Graphic Design Used the software for: 2+ years ### "3ds Max, the ideal tool for 3D modeling and animation" February 15, 2023 4.0 Pros I find 3ds Max to be an extremely comprehensive 3D modeling and animation software that offers many advantages. First of all, I like its intuitive and easy-to-use user interface, which makes the creation process faster and easier. In addition, its extensive library of models and authoring tools allow me to work on a variety of projects, such as video games, animated movies, commercials and architectural visualizations. The animation tools are also very advanced and allow me to create fluid and realistic movements for characters and objects. In addition, it can handle large file sizes and high resolutions, providing fast and efficient performance. Finally, its compatibility with many other 3D authoring programs makes it easy to integrate into my production pipeline. Cons I find that while 3ds Max is a top-notch 3D design software, it also has some potential drawbacks. For example, the full version can be expensive for me as a beginner. Also, the user interface can seem a bit complex for new users like me, with many menus and options to explore. Finally, some modeling and animation tools may require a longer learning curve to fully master. Review Source Ali A. Freelancer Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Important of 3dsmax" April 25, 2022 5.0 A great experience over 3 years helped me solve many problems Pros The most thing I liked is the ease of dealing with the program and the multiplicity of interfaces a wonderful and light feature when using and gives amazing results in the work of projects facilitates the designer to see its design before implementation and facilitates the implementation engineer in the speed and accuracy of implementation after taking out the shop drawing of the design Cons The least I liked was the lack of merging the materials in the same file as the sketchup program to reduce the movement of the project and the use of paths to define the materials Review Source Zibusisozenkosi M. 3D Modeler Design Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Why you need to use 3DS Max" November 7, 2022 4.0 My experience with the software has been interesting especially with creating 3D architectural designs. Pros The Architectural modeling process in this software is very interesting because it makes it easy to produce accurate structures. The rendering here is also faster and realistic and it is easy to work around materials in this software. Cons The software is not as user friendly as other 3D modeling software and that it has a lot tools and one can not know all of them. Review Source CS Carlo S. architect Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "need patience!" May 30, 2021 4.0 i have already been using 3ds max for 6 years, and i am still discovering new tools, new ways of using it. this software is really great! because i was always able to do what every shape and ideas i had in mind. there is always a way to mold and to sculpt in it, and their are no limits at all. like mostly every architecture software, we have to try it and experiment it to know if it fits our workflow. once i got used to it got my work done with very professional results, and i hardly recommend getting vray! so in conclusion download the free trial, test it as much as you can, because its a great software, ut it is about the way you're comfortable with working on it! Pros I use 3ds max for architecture classical and simple projects, as well as experimental and organic. the construction on this software is not always the best option, but the rendering with vray is great! it is the reason i keep using this software. it give a very professional result, and the effects are perfect and impressive. so that is the best feature in 3ds max for my personnel use. Cons building a project on 3ds max with precision will end up needing a plan from autocad to extrude the volumes from it. it is not fast and easy to be able to draw base lines directly on this software. the interface is not very user friendly. it takes time to get used to it, many function can be hidden. it will take time to get used to it. and finally, this software is "becoming" expensive, relatively to some software that are very professional and completely free! Review Source Simeón R. Developer Computer Software Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Great Software, high price" August 12, 2021 5.0 The experience overall is great. 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. The only disadvantage is the pricing, therefore taking that into account, once I finish the paid period, I'll be back to Blender. Pros From the point of view of a 3d printer hobbyist, the pros of course are ease to create parts and being able to try them in virtual models. This software allows you to check if the part will collide with another part in the model when it is moving, simulate the movement of a complete system, and so on. Basically you're able to create the whole project as a 3d model, check how it fits, how it behaves and then you can export each one of the parts to STL models to be printed. About modeling, it provides tens of tools to create parts in any shape needed. And the learning curve if you come as me from software like Blender, is not steep at all. Cons The main con of this software is its price. Paying a monthly fee of more than 200 USD is prohibitive for most users unless they're professionals on the area. In my case I just purchased a suscription for a year, since I need to use it for a project I need to finish ASAP and Blender is, although capable to do anything, slowing me in some aspects. But definitely for personal use and if development time is not an issue, I would consider Blender over this one. Switched from [Blender](https://www.capterra.com/p/167519/Blender/) Ease of work and faster results. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Architect Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Father Of All Geometry " December 11, 2021 5.0 9 out of 10 . because it crashes some time :D Pros it's like an open arena to achieve all your imaginary world in it ! so all you have to do is just to use it ! and the results will blow your mind every single time Cons need a really strong hardware as some projects or files get really heavy to be rendered with normal PCs Review Source IR Izan R. Estudiante Animation Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "De los peores programas de 3D que se pueden usar." January 9, 2022 2.0 Terrible. Desagradable. Horroroso. Denunciable. PD: No he podido escribir más en el campo de "Contras" pienso que me he quedado corto y eso que no he hablado de los constantes crasheos. Yo soy un usuario muy activo de Cinema 4D y Maya pero me veo obligado a usar Max para la escuela y es que es horrible comparado con cualquier otro programa. No lo recomiendo en absoluto. Pros Admito que tiene buenas cosas como la capacidad de tener modificadores en stack uno encima de otro, o la gran cantidad de plugins disponibles. Cons Agárrate que hay tela. No entiendo como es posible que 3ds Max no deje editar polígonos, vértices o aristas de varios objetos a la vez. La manera que hay para editar el pivote de los objetos es bochornosa. Tampoco puedes editar el pivote de componentes, terrible. La herramienta "cut" es infumable y funciona fatal, no puedes ni editar los vértices que has creado con el corte. Además la herramienta que crea cortes en loop "Swift loop" la tienes que activar desde un menú porque a alguien en Autodesk pensó que no es necesario que esté activada. El menú de materiales es que está mal hecho. El "Compact material editor", no he probado que pasaría si en una escena tuviese más materiales de los que te deja ver, ni quiero probarlo. Luego está el menú de la derecha y literalmente está todo ahí. No ha cambiado desde la primera versión de Max en 1990. Es desastroso tenerlo todo ahí metido y sin iconos. Y hablando de la interfaz, no ha cambiado en años, el menú de la parte superior no tiene ningún sentido y mucho menos los botones que tiene, son opciones de todo tipo mezcladas ahí arriba. Ahora los motores de render, Max viene con Arnold por defecto que es un muy buen motor pero ni se acerca a la integración de Arnold en Maya que es mucho más robusta. Los otros motores como Scanline tienen el mismo código que hace 30 años, Quicksilver es más rápido pero la calidad es penosa. En resumen 3ds Max fue destronado hace mucho tiempo y hoy en día solo sirve para darte muchos dolores de cabeza Review Source Favio R. Project Architect Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Best software for 3D modelling in projects of low and high complexity. Most complete" January 16, 2023 5.0 This software has become our main tool for 3D modelling in all of our projects. It works as charm with windows and mid-level computers and above. Pros Complex forms 3D modelling is just superb, you can achieve results for any type of architectural buildings, which is the main reason we use 3ds Max. Even if you manage curves, the snap function helps a lot for precision. The compatibility with Autodesk and external software is a plus, and most renderers work with 3ds Max which is awesome. Totally recommended. Cons I can't say i dislike anything from 3ds max, but if you are a beginner, you might feel like the interface is heavy. It is not a self-teach software, you should get a course for it or check several tutorials. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer CEO Arts and Crafts Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "My favourite tools" September 21, 2023 5.0 it's a tool that has enabled me to create very realistic architectural models Pros It's still a major tool for 3D creation and still very useful in Vfx, with its new Boolean modifier that allows more complex assets to be modelled, for example. Cons this tool has a very attractive interface with lots of buttons and very flexible windows, its character rigging system is very detailed to set up Alternatives considered [Blender](https://www.capterra.com/p/167519/Blender/)[Cinema 4D](https://www.capterra.com/p/210368/Cinema-4D/) Reason for choosing 3ds Max Its default rendering engine gives a fantastic result Switched from [Blender](https://www.capterra.com/p/167519/Blender/) this tool requires very powerful computers to run properly Review Source IH Ibrahim H. Engineer Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "''3ds Max: Architects dream''" August 28, 2021 5.0 This software enables me to work faster and more effectively than others, allowing me to complete my assignment inside the time frame I've set. The process is easy to follow, and the results are excellent. The only drawback is the cost, so after my paid subscription expires, I'll be returning to Blender. Pros I utilise 3ds max for architecture projects that are both traditional and straightforward, as well as experimental and organic. This software's architecture isn't always the best option, but the rendering using Vray is fantastic! It is for this reason why I continue to use this software. It produces a very professional outcome, with precise and amazing effects. So it is the most useful feature in 3ds Max for my team. Cons It is true that anyone can use it, but as many who have tried it know, it has a very steep learning curve. And unless you have a student licence, you'd have to pay a large price plus costs for online classes if you want to learn rapidly. And it eats quite a lot of your PC's resources, so you'll need a good setup. Review Source TM Thomas M. engineer Design Used the software for: 2+ years ### "One of the leaders in this field" January 2, 2023 5.0 Greatest thing in my tool set as for manufacturing, also for rendering. I can do entire mechanism in a day, and as soon I throw it for 3D printing, my client is already watching the generated renders with great photo realism. Pros Well, as an industrial designer, this is my daily driver. I currently do a complete 3D mechanism models in it for 3d printing. I can say once you set the units and find the tolerances that work for you, it is a simple process. As another cool feature I can point that from the assembly file for printing, you can make another copy and set it for the product renders you can use for presentation purposes and that's great. Cons hard to learn the rendering engines and parameters, but it's not only on this software. Just too much stuff you have to know how it works and keep track of your settings. Review Source MH Mike H. Planning Manager Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Best software for material mapping but has fallen behind in rendering" January 12, 2024 5.0 Pros 3ds Max is very easy to create animations and map materials. Very good for high end renders. Its also good at processing very large file sizes Cons There isn't preset lighting and the render times are much longer than other software when wanting quick renders Alternatives considered [Rhino 7](https://www.capterra.com/p/58468/Jewelry-Modeling/)[Blender](https://www.capterra.com/p/167519/Blender/) Reason for choosing 3ds Max We kept 3ds max as it is the easiest software to material map and quickly animate Review Source VK Vikash K. Architect Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Is 3ds Max the best modelling software " January 17, 2023 5.0 Well in nutshell if you want the best renders then this is the software to go. You will have to give it a little time but the results are unmatched. Pros Extensive amount of features.Good community support.Quality is unmatched.3rd party software integration is available. Cons It takes a lot of time to learn if you have not used nay other 3d software before. And even after learning you have to spend a lot of time, tinkering with the details to get the most kut of this software. You need a mid to high tier PC to run this software properly. Review Source prashant C. Senior 3D artist Events Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Always needed for my visualization " October 20, 2021 5.0 My love Pros I used it for the last 8 years and always wonder about learning new things there is no end for your mind to visualizes your creative idea Cons Just they removed my mental ray default render option from software Review Source MC Mihai C. Designer Design Used the software for: 2+ years ### "3ds Max - highs and lows" April 14, 2022 5.0 After a few years using it, it turned out being great, I've created successful game assets and product presentations. I also like about it that it supports the majority of the plugins offered by the market that enhance its options, like realistic renderings. Pros I like about 3ds Max that it's easy to use, friendly interface and comprehensive official tutorials. You can go from sketch to finish even on professional projects like triple A games, and even in movie industry. Cons The interface lacks antialiasing, it lags sometimes on low-poly objects and the shading viewport model could use some work. Review Source AE Anthony E. 3D Artist Animation Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Best 3D architectural visualization software" September 22, 2022 5.0 It is the best 3D software for architectural visualization from modeling to render, but you might find a better software when working in an other field. Pros I personally used 3ds max while working with a 3D architectural visualization company, and I used the software for this purpose. I find this software very adaptive to architectural modeling. It is very easy to integrate your autoCAD files containing your buildings plan, and you can easily model the construction with accuracy. As for texturing, the UV unwrap tools are very helpful and easy to use so you can achieve the desired results without spending so much time on it. The most known render engines are compatible with 3ds max, which gives you a wide choice of renderers to choose that will give you realistic results. Cons I find that the modeling in 3ds max is not very smooth, so when modeling cartoon or stylized models I use other softwares. Although the animation interface is very friendly and helpful, but I find that you can get to better results in animations with less time using other softwares. Review Source sT samarth T. 3d artist Animation Used the software for: 2+ years ### "3Ds Max Overall Experience Is Ok... " July 4, 2023 4.0 Only thing I love about 3ds max is I start My carrier with this Software. my overall Experience is good. Pros For architectural Use Its very good Software. Especially For walkthrough Animation. Working Fantastic with Some of Render engine Like V'ray. Cons For Animation Industry or Gaming Industry This Software is Very Heavy taking too much render time . Not preferable. Review Source Similar Products Featured