Should you choose 3DS Max or Autodesk Maya? While we can’t answer this question definitively, we can certainly provide some guidance.

What Do Autodesk Maya and 3DS Max Have in Common?

3D artists across the board use both of these animation programs to carry out their work. In broad strokes, there’s plenty that these two Autodesk products have in common:

Both Maya and 3DS Max are applications used to create 3D models, animations, and images. Both include advanced features like particle effect, rigging, keyframing, materials, lighting, and other special effects. Both can be used to design games or in other industries, such as medical modeling. Both cost exactly the same: $215 per month, $1,700 per year, or $4,590 every three years.

The differences between 3DS Max and Maya have mostly to do with the overall workflow, the tools available in each, and the skills required to use them.

Download: Maya for Windows, Apple, and Linux (From $215 per month, free trial available)

Download: 3DS Max for Windows (From $215 per month, free trial available)

Autodesk Maya vs. 3DS Max: The Differences

Honestly? So much of the difference between Maya and 3DS Max will ultimately come down to personal preference. There is no ceiling on what either is capable of, but there are a few key differences to take into consideration.

System Requirements

We were surprised to see that Maya is actually the more demanding of the two systems when it comes to hardware requirements. Furthermore, 3DS Max is available only for Windows; Autodesk discontinued Mac support for this app in 2017.

Aside from that, you’ll find all of the usual stuff: Windows 10 or higher, as well as macOS 10.13 or higher for Maya users.

Additionally, you’ll need a couple of other things:

Both systems prefer a high-end graphics card, either Intel or AMD. Maya requires 8 GB of RAM; 3DS Max only asks for 4 GB. For Maya, you’ll need 6 GB of free space on your hard drive, and for 3DS Max, you’ll need 9 GB.

These aren’t unreasonable expectations by today’s standards. Any adequately-equipped system will be more than capable of running either program efficiently.

Modeling Tools

Neither of these creative apps leaves much to be desired in the way of 3D modeling tools. Many claim that 3DS Max reigns supreme in terms of granularity, but it all depends on what you’re trying to do.

3DS Max is more suitable if you’re modeling architecture, product design, engineering, or construction models. It also offers a more advanced materials workflow and integrates more seamlessly with other related Autodesk products, which may be ideal in some cases.

Animation

According to Autodesk itself, Maya is the brand’s flagship animation software. 3DS Max is still more than animation-capable, however.

Curves in Autodesk Maya, as well as an expanded toolset for keyframing animation, makes this option the software of preference for many. Many of these features require scripting, however, which may limit the potential to be found here for some.

Skill Level

Both of these systems are advanced, industry-caliber 3D modeling programs.

Maya is regarded by some as being more difficult to learn between the two, but this may not always be the case. One thing is for sure: there are a lot of tools to learn in Maya, many more than what you’ll find in 3DS Max.

While it’s usually going to be possible to create whatever you’re trying to create in either, Maya does offer more avenues that bend toward success than 3DS Max does in a general sense. It all depends on what you’re used to working with and what you need to accomplish.

Autodesk 3D Modeling Software: Should You Use Maya or 3DS Max?

There are many, many arguments in favor of both Maya and 3DS Max for casual as well as advanced users.

As firm believers in the power of imagination, we contend that the one you go with has less to do with your final result than the love and care that you put into each 3D project. No matter where you end up in the Autodesk catalog, we guarantee that you’ll be able to use whatever you find to bring your dreams to life.