When to choose Maya or 3ds Max

Polygon modeling in Maya allows you to create 3D models using geometry based on vertices, edges, and faces, while NURBS modeling enables you to construct characters from geometric primitives and drawn curves. Maya’s sculpting toolset provides an intuitive clay-like workflow for shaping and molding characters with full artistic control.

Interactive groom tools in Maya allow you to create realistic hair and fur for your beloved characters and creatures. Explore a full range of tools, including sculpting brushes, modifiers, and sculpting layers, dedicated to creating all styles of hair and fur.

Powerful tools in Maya speed up animation and editing. The Time Editor provides an intuitive, clip-based workflow for non-linear animation editing, so you can navigate easily between clips and adjust timing operations like speed, length, and start/stop times. Cached Playback enables you to evaluate iterations of your animation right in the viewport, rather than producing multiple playblasts.

From tools for producing high-quality, production-ready characters, to an intuitive graph editor for manipulating animation curves and keys, to shape authoring tools for adding fine details such as facial expressions, Maya makes it possible to bring lifelike movement to any scene or character you’re working on.

3ds Max’s modeling toolset lets you shape and mold anything you set your mind to—from intricate details on characters and objects to jaw-dropping environments and worlds.

Using 3ds Max’s powerful polygon modeling tools, you can build complex models quickly. Tools like Smart Extrude offer an intuitive and flexible way for you to shape faces on an object and rebuild or stitch together adjacent faces automatically. Powerful retopology tools in 3ds Max enable you to create clean 3D topology and achieve professional results.

A unique modifier stack workflow helps you sculpt and edit. Use the Chamfer modifier to add edges, the Relax modifier to change surface tension, or the Symmetry modifier to perform common modeling tasks.

Step up your look development game with advanced texture-creation, material, and viewport tools in 3ds Max. Support for Substance maps and Open Shading Language (OSL) empower you to create and apply complex materials that bring your designs to the next level, while the Material editor lets you add material finishes, change textures, and use vibrant colors to create photorealistic designs.

Bake-to-texture in 3ds Max provides a streamlined, intuitive, and fully scriptable texture baking experience, with support for Physically Based Rendering (PBR), material input overrides, and OSL workflows.

Create complex characters and dazzling effects using Maya’s robust toolset for modeling, shaping, grooming, rigging, and animating. Build expansive worlds and detailed props using 3ds Max’s easy-to-use and flexible toolset for modeling, texturing, shading, lighting, and rendering. Maya and 3ds Max are offered as part of the Media & Entertainment Collection. 3ds Max also comes standard across all of Autodesk’s industry collections.

From stylized to photorealistic characters, Maya’s modeling toolset lets you construct, shape, and sculpt 3D models artistically and intuitively. 3ds Max’s rich and flexible modeling tools empower artists to create massive environments and worlds.