Autodesk 3ds Max vs Blender
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and integrations.
Quick Verdict
Autodesk 3ds Max offers fewer features (32 vs 41) and more integrations (12 vs 11). Starting price: Autodesk 3ds Max at Free vs Blender at Contact Sales. Autodesk 3ds Max has 32 unique features while Blender has 41 unique features, with 0 features in common.
| Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Design & Prototyping | Design & Prototyping |
| Total Features | 32 | 41 |
| AI-Powered Features | 0 | 0 |
| Starting Price | Free | Contact Sales |
| Pricing Tiers | 6 | 0 |
| Integrations | 12 | 11 |
| Shared Features | 0 | |
| Shared Integrations | 0 | |
| Data Quality | 85% | 65% |
Feature Comparison by Category
3D Modeling (5 vs 0)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh and Surface Modeling | ||
| Modifier Stack Workflow | ||
| Retopology Tools | ||
| Smart Extrude | ||
| Spline Workflows |
API (0 vs 1)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| Render API Access |
Animation & Rigging (0 vs 5)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| B-spline Interpolated Bones | ||
| Curve Editor and Dope Sheets | ||
| Custom Bone Shapes | ||
| Envelope, Skeleton and Automatic Skinning | ||
| Sound Synchronization |
Animation and Effects (5 vs 0)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| Animation Controllers | ||
| Character Animation Tools | ||
| Motion Paths | ||
| Particle Flow Effects | ||
| Realistic Fluids |
Extensibility (0 vs 1)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| Community Add-ons |
Interface (0 vs 4)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| Customizable Colors and Fonts | ||
| Customizable Interface Layout | ||
| Hi-res/Retina Screen Support | ||
| OpenGL Viewport Drawing |
Modeling (0 vs 8)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| 3D Painting with Textured Brushes and Masking | ||
| Curves Modeling | ||
| Edge Slide, Inset, Grid and Bridge Fill | ||
| Full N-Gon Support | ||
| Geometry Nodes | ||
| Modeling Tools | ||
| Retopology | ||
| UV Mapping |
OpenUSD Workflows (5 vs 0)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| Light Linking | ||
| Lights in Viewport | ||
| OpenUSD Plugin - Open Source | ||
| OpenUSD Workflows - Seamless Import and Export | ||
| USD Layer Editor |
Pipeline (0 vs 1)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| Pipeline Integration |
Rendering (6 vs 5)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| CPU & GPU Rendering | ||
| Color Management | ||
| Cycles Render Engine | ||
| Integrated Arnold Renderer | ||
| Interactive Viewports | ||
| Lighting | ||
| PBR Shaders & HDR Lighting Support | ||
| Physical Camera | ||
| Real-time Viewport Preview | ||
| Scene Converter | ||
| VR Rendering Support |
Scripting (0 vs 1)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| Python Scripting |
Sculpting (0 vs 2)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Sculpting Tools and Brushes | ||
| Multi-resolution and Dynamic Subdivision |
Simulation (0 vs 1)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| Simulation Tools |
Story Art (0 vs 5)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| 2D Drawing in 3D Viewport | ||
| Combine 2D with 3D in Viewport | ||
| Full Animation Support with Onion Skinning | ||
| Layers & Colors for Stroke and Fill | ||
| Sculpt Brush Strokes & Parent to 3D Objects |
Texturing and Shading (5 vs 0)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| Bake to Texture | ||
| High-Quality Materials | ||
| Material Editor | ||
| Material Switcher | ||
| Open Shading Language (OSL) Support |
VFX (0 vs 6)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| Auto and Manual Tracking | ||
| Camera and Object Motion Tracking | ||
| Masking and Compositing | ||
| Planar Tracking and Tripod Solvers | ||
| Powerful Camera Reconstruction | ||
| Real-time Preview of Tracked Footage and 3D Scene |
Video Editing (0 vs 1)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| Video Editing |
Workflow and Pipeline (6 vs 0)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Blender |
|---|---|---|
| Extensive Plug-in Library | ||
| Modern UI and Workspaces | ||
| Multiple File Format Support | ||
| Python 3 Support | ||
| Software Security | ||
| glTF Support |
Unique Features
Only in Autodesk 3ds Max (32)
Mesh and Surface Modeling
Modifier Stack Workflow
Retopology Tools
Smart Extrude
Spline Workflows
Animation Controllers
Character Animation Tools
Motion Paths
Particle Flow Effects
Realistic Fluids
Light Linking
Lights in Viewport
OpenUSD Plugin - Open Source
OpenUSD Workflows - Seamless Import and Export
USD Layer Editor
Color Management
Integrated Arnold Renderer
Interactive Viewports
Lighting
Physical Camera
+ 12 more unique features
Only in Blender (41)
B-spline Interpolated Bones
Curve Editor and Dope Sheets
Custom Bone Shapes
Envelope, Skeleton and Automatic Skinning
Sound Synchronization
Render API Access
Community Add-ons
Customizable Colors and Fonts
Customizable Interface Layout
Hi-res/Retina Screen Support
OpenGL Viewport Drawing
3D Painting with Textured Brushes and Masking
Curves Modeling
Edge Slide, Inset, Grid and Bridge Fill
Full N-Gon Support
Geometry Nodes
Modeling Tools
Retopology
UV Mapping
Pipeline Integration
+ 21 more unique features
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