Autodesk 3ds Max vs Rhino
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and integrations.
Quick Verdict
Autodesk 3ds Max offers fewer features (32 vs 68) and more integrations (12 vs 8). Both start at Free. Autodesk 3ds Max has 32 unique features while Rhino has 68 unique features, with 0 features in common.
| Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Design & Prototyping | Design & Prototyping |
| Total Features | 32 | 68 |
| AI-Powered Features | 0 | 0 |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Pricing Tiers | 6 | 5 |
| Integrations | 12 | 8 |
| Shared Features | 0 | |
| Shared Integrations | 0 | |
| Data Quality | 85% | 90% |
Feature Comparison by Category
3D Capture (0 vs 3)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| 3D Digitizing Support | ||
| Large Point Cloud Support | ||
| LiDAR Support |
3D Modeling (5 vs 0)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh and Surface Modeling | ||
| Modifier Stack Workflow | ||
| Retopology Tools | ||
| Smart Extrude | ||
| Spline Workflows |
3D Printing & Fabrication (0 vs 2)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| Sectioning for Fabrication | ||
| ShrinkWrap |
Analysis (0 vs 8)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| Analysis Tools | ||
| Curvature Analysis | ||
| Draft Angle Analysis | ||
| Gaussian Curvature | ||
| Geometric Continuity Analysis | ||
| Hydrostatics | ||
| Point Deviation | ||
| Zebra Stripe Analysis |
Animation and Effects (5 vs 0)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| Animation Controllers | ||
| Character Animation Tools | ||
| Motion Paths | ||
| Particle Flow Effects | ||
| Realistic Fluids |
Compatibility (0 vs 3)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| GLTF Import/Export | ||
| USD Export | ||
| openNURBS Libraries |
Display (0 vs 4)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| Clipping Planes | ||
| Display Modes | ||
| Monochrome Display Mode | ||
| Named Views |
Drafting (0 vs 6)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| Annotation Objects | ||
| Dimensions | ||
| Dynamic Vector Drawings | ||
| Linetypes | ||
| Reflected Ceiling Plans | ||
| Section Styles |
Editing (0 vs 7)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| Control Points & Edit Points | ||
| Delete, Duplicate & Join | ||
| Offset | ||
| RefitTrim | ||
| Surface Fillets | ||
| Transform Tools | ||
| Trim, Split & Extend |
File Management (0 vs 2)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| File Management | ||
| Worksessions |
Interface & Tools (0 vs 12)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| Auto CPlanes | ||
| Blocks Manager | ||
| Exact Numeric Input | ||
| Gumball | ||
| Layer Filtering | ||
| Layer Manager | ||
| Named Construction Planes | ||
| Object Groups | ||
| Object Snaps | ||
| Unlimited Undo/Redo | ||
| User Interface Customization | ||
| Window Layouts |
Mesh Tools (0 vs 3)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| Improved Mesh Booleans | ||
| Meshes | ||
| QuadRemesh |
Mobile & Viewers (0 vs 1)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| iRhino 3D |
Modeling (0 vs 8)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| Curves | ||
| Curves from Other Objects | ||
| Modeling Simplified | ||
| Points | ||
| PushPull | ||
| Solids | ||
| SubD Creases | ||
| Surfaces |
OpenUSD Workflows (5 vs 0)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| Light Linking | ||
| Lights in Viewport | ||
| OpenUSD Plugin - Open Source | ||
| OpenUSD Workflows - Seamless Import and Export | ||
| USD Layer Editor |
Performance (0 vs 1)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| Mac Speed Boost (Metal) |
Programming & Scripting (0 vs 3)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| Grasshopper | ||
| Grasshopper Add-ons | ||
| New Grasshopper Data Types |
Rendering (6 vs 5)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| Color Management | ||
| Cycles Engine | ||
| Integrated Arnold Renderer | ||
| Interactive Viewports | ||
| Lighting | ||
| Physical Camera | ||
| Procedural Textures | ||
| Realtime Render Preview | ||
| Rhino Render | ||
| Scene Converter | ||
| UV Mapping |
Texturing and Shading (5 vs 0)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| Bake to Texture | ||
| High-Quality Materials | ||
| Material Editor | ||
| Material Switcher | ||
| Open Shading Language (OSL) Support |
Workflow and Pipeline (6 vs 0)
| Feature | Autodesk 3ds Max | Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Rhino (68)
3D Digitizing Support
Large Point Cloud Support
LiDAR Support
Sectioning for Fabrication
ShrinkWrap
Analysis Tools
Curvature Analysis
Draft Angle Analysis
Gaussian Curvature
Geometric Continuity Analysis
Hydrostatics
Point Deviation
Zebra Stripe Analysis
GLTF Import/Export
openNURBS Libraries
USD Export
Clipping Planes
Display Modes
Monochrome Display Mode
Named Views
+ 48 more unique features
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