Autodesk 3ds Max vs Onshape

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and integrations.

Quick Verdict

Autodesk 3ds Max offers fewer features (32 vs 67) and more integrations (12 vs 3). Starting price: Autodesk 3ds Max at Free vs Onshape at $125/mo. Autodesk 3ds Max has 32 unique features while Onshape has 67 unique features, with 0 features in common.

Autodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
CategoryDesign & PrototypingDesign & Prototyping
Total Features3267
AI-Powered Features01
Starting PriceFree$125/mo
Pricing Tiers64
Integrations123
Shared Features0
Shared Integrations0
Data Quality85%90%

Feature Comparison by Category

3D Modeling (5 vs 0)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Mesh and Surface Modeling
Modifier Stack Workflow
Retopology Tools
Smart Extrude
Spline Workflows

AI (0 vs 1)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
AI Advisor

Administration (0 vs 8)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Advanced Provisioning Settings
Company Admin Tools
Company Ownership of Documents
Company-Specific Domain
Consolidated Billing
Instant Provisioning
Light Users
Role-Based Access Control

Analysis (0 vs 2)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Reflection & Surface Analysis
Simulation

Animation and Effects (5 vs 0)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Animation Controllers
Character Animation Tools
Motion Paths
Particle Flow Effects
Realistic Fluids

Collaboration (0 vs 9)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Guest Users
Mark-ups
Multi-User Editing
Publications
Real-Time Chat
Real-Time Collaboration
Real-Time Notifications
Sharing and Access Controls
Version Control with Branching and Merging

Compliance (0 vs 1)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
ITAR/EAR Compliance

Customization (0 vs 1)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
FeatureScript

Data Management (0 vs 8)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Automated Part Numbering
Bill of Materials (BOM)
Built-in PDM
Bulk Item Management
Company Categories
Company-Managed Data
Company-Specific Material Libraries
Version History

Design (0 vs 7)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
End Conditions for Revolve
Hole Callout Updates
Link Part Studio Context to Assembly Named Positions
Lofted Sheet Metal
Offset Planes by Curves
PCB Studio
Sweep Twist and Scale

Education (0 vs 4)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Classes & Assignments
Guided Onboarding
Learning Center
Online Training

Infrastructure (0 vs 1)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Cloud-Native Architecture

Integration (0 vs 5)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Arena PLM Connection
ECAD/MCAD Exchange
Onshape App Store
Open API
Slack Integration

Interface (0 vs 1)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Touch Support on Browser

Manufacturing (0 vs 4)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Adaptive Cutting Options for CAM Studio
CAM
Hole Selection in CAM Studio
Model-Based Definition (MBD)

Mobile (0 vs 1)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Mobile Apps

OpenUSD Workflows (5 vs 0)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Light Linking
Lights in Viewport
OpenUSD Plugin - Open Source
OpenUSD Workflows - Seamless Import and Export
USD Layer Editor

Project Management (0 vs 1)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Task Management

Reliability (0 vs 1)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
No Crashes or Data Loss

Rendering (6 vs 0)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Color Management
Integrated Arnold Renderer
Interactive Viewports
Lighting
Physical Camera
Scene Converter

Reporting (0 vs 2)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Analytics & IP Tracking Dashboard
Project-Based Reporting

Security (0 vs 3)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Centralized IP Control
IP Audit Trail
Single Sign-On (SSO)

Support (0 vs 1)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
In-Product Support

Texturing and Shading (5 vs 0)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Bake to Texture
High-Quality Materials
Material Editor
Material Switcher
Open Shading Language (OSL) Support

Visualization (0 vs 3)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
AR View
Render Studio
Rendering

Workflow (0 vs 3)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
Infinite Undo
Release Management
Search and Where Used

Workflow and Pipeline (6 vs 0)

FeatureAutodesk 3ds MaxOnshape
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 Onshape (67)

Advanced Provisioning Settings
Company Admin Tools
Company Ownership of Documents
Company-Specific Domain
Consolidated Billing
Instant Provisioning
Light Users
Role-Based Access Control
AI Advisor
Reflection & Surface Analysis
Simulation
Guest Users
Mark-ups
Multi-User Editing
Publications
Real-Time Chat
Real-Time Collaboration
Real-Time Notifications
Sharing and Access Controls
Version Control with Branching and Merging

+ 47 more unique features

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