Autodesk 3DS Max is an all-in-one creative suite for producing photorealistic architectural models, game assets, film-quality characters and more. Able to import OBJ and DWG files, 3DS Max gives artists the tools to manipulate geometry of any type. From polygonal modeling to working with subdivision surfaces, Autodesk 3DS Max is one of the leading 3D programs used by professionals in both the film and gaming industries.

Right out of the box, 3DS Max offers two primary internal render engines: Scanline and Mental Ray. Newer versions of the software offer iRay rendering, which utilizes NVIDIA graphics cards for fine-tuning renderings in real-time. Although 3DS Max only offers two render engines, it supports most third-party engines, such as Brazil, Maxwell and V-Ray. In addition, artists can view effects, such as ambient occlusion and shadows, directly in the viewport while modeling or animating. These effects give artists an idea of how the model will look before clicking the render button.

Autodesk 3DS Max boasts a wide array of functions, such as creating real-world physics, cloth and fur. Artists have all of the tools necessary to model complete characters and then animate them using the built-in animation set. For complex scenes, 3DS Max offers proxies to reduce the amount of polygons on the screen at one time. Furthermore, paint layers give artists the functionality to texture a model using preset brushes and layer effects. From 3D modeling to creating dust and fire with Particle Flow, Autodesk 3DS Max offers something for both hobbyists and professional artists.