Adobe Animate (formerly Flash) vs Autodesk 3ds Max

Likelihood to Recommend

Adobe flash is best to use for developing applications specifically for desktop and laptop PC websites. We use it a lot with clients who send us content from other countries to stream and/or view video, audio and multimedia. Since there is no mobile browser or device support, it can not be used for any app related projects.

Read full review

Emily Sperduto

Marketing Solutions Coordinator

iHeartMediaBroadcast Media, 10,001+ employees

View all 15 answers on this topic

3DS Max is really the best tool for those looking to create mograph designs, 3D models for video games, VFX composites and virtual sets, or just to quickly mock up some product designs with rapid rendering that still looks good. It really starts to fall behind though when you get into animation tools like rigging or smooth surface models or higher end ray tracing renders. If you need something for full-on animated films or final pass production physics effects, then use Maya instead.

Read full review

Kevin Wolff

Director of Advertising & Brand Identity

Interfit PhotographicMedia Production, 11-50 employees

View all 2 answers on this topic

Pros

The scalability of what Flash can do makes it so useful. You can do something simple like make a ball bounce on screen over some letters before showing your logo, or something more complex such as developing an animated short to display.
Using Flash videos on websites is very commonplace, so people are used to seeing it and have the necessary plugins installed already.
The files are very small, and the compression is very smooth. This helps if you are trying to send content to mobile devices or simply keep your website footprint small to ensure fast loading times.

Read full review

Daniel Epstein

Executive Producer

Firefilm Productions, LLCMotion Pictures and Film, 1-10 employees

View all 15 answers on this topic

V-Ray 3ds Max is an awesome third-party plugin for architecture renders in 3ds Max.
Complicated models can be made in a simple way in 3ds Max also P-particles, M flow works better then before.
Interface is very easy to use. Very open, attractive, and very much ease of use for new users.

Read full review

vijay kumar

Sr Lighting Artist

Labyrinth cinematic sollutions pvr.ltdMotion Pictures & Film, 11-50 employees

View all 2 answers on this topic

Cons

Unfortunately, Flash is dying because of compatibility issues. Users are increasingly viewing websites on mobile devices, and Flash animations will not work in these cases.
Very soon, almost all of the major browsers will be blocking Flash, which is obviously a problem!
Flash provides decent 2D options, but it's pretty limited in 3D capabilities.

Read full review

Verified User

Employee in Marketing

Marketing and Advertising Company, 11-50 employees

View all 15 answers on this topic

Rather expensive licensing.
Limited animation tools.
Outdated physics system.

Read full review

Kevin Wolff

Director of Advertising & Brand Identity

Interfit PhotographicMedia Production, 11-50 employees

View all 2 answers on this topic

Usability

Adobe Animate (formerly Flash) 6.0

Based on 1 answer

Flash is usable but definitely has a learning curve that a novice user may need to Google a few tutorials prior. The seamless integration with other Adobe software products is nice for loading content from the cloud. Plus it's great for storing and saving work on the go.

Read full review

Stefanie Cash

Digital Marketing Manager

Caradonna AdventuresHospitality, 11-50 employees

View all 1 answers on this topic

No score

No answers yet

No answers on this topic

Alternatives Considered

Adobe Flash is being used in my company and my freelance work because it is the most universal tool used by all. It is able to be used on multiple applications and platforms and it is fairly easy to use once you have been trained. You can also get it with Adobe Suite which is well liked across multiple company types

Read full review

Rebecca Powell

Marketing Coordinator

Total Beverage SolutionFood & Beverages, 51-200 employees

View all 15 answers on this topic

Complex models are very easy to make in 3ds Max compared to other software, as Autodesk provides safety and security for your data and there are always there to serve you better. My experience with Autodesk was remarkable and Upmarket integration with other plugins makes 3ds Max vast and have an easy interface so that any new person who is using for the first time can understand simply.

Read full review

vijay kumar

Sr Lighting Artist

Labyrinth cinematic sollutions pvr.ltdMotion Pictures & Film, 11-50 employees

View all 2 answers on this topic

Return on Investment

Absolutely a positive return on investment - our marketing always does better with animated features.
It gives our entire firm a meaningful reputation as being open to new and advancing technology and not shying away from it as things advance.
Allows us to pull content creators from our internal staff that are not particularly skilled in coding but can use the easy-to-use Adobe platform.

Read full review

Olivia Crellin

Corporate & Securities Attorney

Snell & WilmerLaw Practice, 501-1000 employees

View all 15 answers on this topic

Allows us to meet deadlines quickly - render times are minutes, not days.
Digs into profits due to licensing fees - just a single seat can set us back thousands.

Read full review

Kevin Wolff

Director of Advertising & Brand Identity

Interfit PhotographicMedia Production, 11-50 employees

View all 2 answers on this topic

Pricing Details

General

Free Trial

Yes

Free/Freemium Version

—

Premium Consulting/Integration Services

—

Entry-level set up fee?

No

Adobe Animate (formerly Flash) Editions & Modules

Edition

Annual Plan, Paid Monthly	20.99¹
Annual Plan, Prepaid	239.88²
Monthly Plan	31.49³

per month
per year
per month

Additional Pricing Details

—

General

Free Trial

—

Free/Freemium Version

—

Premium Consulting/Integration Services

—

Entry-level set up fee?

No

Autodesk 3ds Max Editions & Modules

—

Additional Pricing Details

—