Autodesk 3ds Max vs. Autodesk AEC Collection

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Autodesk 3ds Max
Score 8.8 out of 10
N/A
Autodesk offers 3ds Max, 3D modeling and rendering software for design visualization, games, and animation. The vendor states that users can produce professional-quality 3D animations, renders, and models with an efficient and flexible toolset to help create better 3D content in less time.
$235
per month per user
Autodesk AEC Collection
Score 9.0 out of 10
N/A
The AEC Collection provides a set of BIM and CAD tools supported by a cloud-based common data environment that facilitates project delivery from early-stage design through to construction. The bundle includes popular Autodesk tools such as Revit, AutoCAD, FormIT, and Navisworks Manage, with access to 12 integrated CAD and BIM tools.
$435
per month
Pricing
Autodesk 3ds MaxAutodesk AEC Collection
Editions & Modules
Monthly Subscription
$235
per month per user
Yearly Subscription
$1875
per year per user
3-Year Subscription
$5625
3 years per user
AEC Collection - Monthly Subscription
$435
per month per user
AEC Collection - Yearly Subscription
$3,465
per year per user
AEC Collection - 3-Year Subscription
$10,395
3 years per user
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Autodesk 3ds MaxAutodesk AEC Collection
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsFlex pricing available for limited usage. Minimum plan $300 for 100 tokens. 3ds Max costs 6 tokens per day.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Autodesk 3ds MaxAutodesk AEC Collection
Features
Autodesk 3ds MaxAutodesk AEC Collection
Computer-Aided Design Software
Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of Product A and Product B
Autodesk 3ds Max
-
Ratings
Autodesk AEC Collection
9.4
1 Ratings
24% above category average
3D Modeling00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
2D Drafting00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Rendering and Visualization00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Parametric Design00 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Collaboration and Sharing00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Compatibility with other software and formats00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Assembly Design00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Simulation and Analysis00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Documentation and Annotation00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Customization and Extensions00 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Autodesk 3ds MaxAutodesk AEC Collection
Small Businesses
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.3 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.3 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.3 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.3 out of 10
Enterprises
Navisworks
Navisworks
Score 9.3 out of 10
Rhino
Rhino
Score 8.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Autodesk 3ds MaxAutodesk AEC Collection
Likelihood to Recommend
9.3
(13 ratings)
10.0
(4 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(1 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(4 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Autodesk 3ds MaxAutodesk AEC Collection
Likelihood to Recommend
Autodesk
For print media for marketing and for 3d animations for web spots and TV ads/movies/programs. It is less suited for quick 3d graphics or images that you get from AI image programs, but it is much more powerful than most AI image programs.
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Autodesk
If you are a commercial contractor or subcontractor, Autodesk AEC Collection, along with other Autodesk software is a must. There is no other way to design estimate and plan large construction. For residential construction, It may not be as necessary but it could still be useful if your primary construction projects are new builds rather than renovations.
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Pros
Autodesk
  • 3ds Max includes some of the inbuild modifiers which can be very good in the case of beginners.
  • 3rd party Rendering support makes 3ds Max a powerful software for rendering out realistic images.
  • Autodesk 3ds max in comparison to its rivals is lightweight and fast, also the animation case also.
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Autodesk
  • Collaboration with multiple users and
  • Software for Computer Assisted Design
  • Saving and Documentation of Plans and Blueprints
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Cons
Autodesk
  • working in 2d is very frustrating and unreliable. It just lacks the precision
  • How scaling affects units (or doesn't) There needs to be a way for modifiers to address a change of scale in the object.
  • Booleans are not intuitive. Especially for architecture, creating an opening and putting a door or a window is an incredibly cumbersome process.
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Autodesk
  • Revit is limited in its use for civil engineering and landscape architecture.
  • There are bugs due to the complex nature of the software.
  • Use of software requires the latest high-tech computers.
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Likelihood to Renew
Autodesk
It satisfies 95% of my 3d visualization need. The left over 5% is handled by a few other programs. If Max just can't perform a specific task I can do that elsewhere and then bring it back to Max to finish up. But, it's rare that this occurs in my work
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Autodesk
I gave a rating of 10 because, thus far, Autodesk AEC Collection Seems to be on the leading edge for what is required for the construction planning, implementation, and continued of real-world assets. Autodesk has been a great benefit for our organization and has allowed us to continue to improve not only ourselves but the people we work with. We have been using Autodesk AEC Collection for a number of years and hope to continue for a long time coming.
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Usability
Autodesk
It is a very difficult program to learn to use and even harder to use well. But once you get to using it it is a great software package to know how to use. Getting to be good at using it takes lots of use.
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Autodesk
The software has a significant learning curve. You also must know and understand construction standards and codes. Each member of our BIM team has spent 10+ years in construction and has had years of software training. The software also requires powerful computers to render the models. Without a BIM focused gpu and processor, the software will seem less usable when in reality, the computer is not capable of running the software properly
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Support Rating
Autodesk
I have contacted support many times and have had a good experience. They have always been helpful
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Autodesk
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Autodesk
Sketch-up week to be vertically integrated to produce concept all the way to high-end render, an animation (effects, particles, soft-body, etc..) All 3 other softwares are fully capable, it just comes down to what software an operator is most familiar with and if it works in the production pipeline for the client.
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Autodesk
Other products that have been used include Civil Designer and Model Maker for civil services. Other products for structural designs include aq product called "SEDA" These products are not included in the listings.
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Return on Investment
Autodesk
  • 3ds Max has one of the best control tools that can help someone to sculpt almost anything. With the vertex tool and polyline edit function we can create almost any complex geometry.
  • Default rendering is equipped with almost everything that is needed for process, V-Ray for 3ds Max is the best 3rd party plugin for getting crisp renders.
  • The four view port tools for viewing the model helps from each and every angle. The moment and selection tools in the 3ds Max are quit easy to operate.
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Autodesk
  • Positive impact on collaboration between disciplines.
  • Products are the industry standard, which allows for collaboration with other firms.
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ScreenShots