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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Autodesk 3ds Max

    Score9 out of 10
    N/AAutodesk 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

    CATIA

    Score8 out of 10
    N/ACATIA from Dassault Systemes is a 3D product modeling and design tool used across multiple industries.N/A
    Pricing
    Autodesk 3ds MaxCATIA
    Editions & Modules
    Monthly Subscription
    $235
    per month per user
    Yearly Subscription
    $1875
    per year per user
    3-Year Subscription
    $5625
    3 years per user
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Autodesk 3ds MaxCATIA
    Free Trial
    YesNo
    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 MaxCATIA
    Considered Both Products
    Autodesk
    No answer on this topic
    Dassault Systemes
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    92%
    Would buy again
    12 Answers
    100%
    Would buy again
    7 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    83%
    Delivers good value for the price
    10 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Happy with the feature set
    100%
    Happy with the feature set
    13 Answers
    100%
    Happy with the feature set
    7 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    100%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    9 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation went as expected
    100%
    Implementation went as expected
    11 Answers
    No answers on this topic
    Features
    Autodesk 3ds MaxCATIA
    Computer-Aided Design Software
    Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of Autodesk 3ds Max and CATIA
    Feature
    Autodesk 3ds Max
    -
    Ratings
    CATIA
    8.1
    2 Ratings
    8% above category average
    3D Modeling00 Ratings7.82 Ratings
    2D Drafting00 Ratings7.82 Ratings
    Rendering and Visualization00 Ratings6.42 Ratings
    Parametric Design00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
    Collaboration and Sharing00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
    Compatibility with other software and formats00 Ratings6.01 Ratings
    Assembly Design00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
    Simulation and Analysis00 Ratings8.01 Ratings
    Documentation and Annotation00 Ratings7.01 Ratings
    Customization and Extensions00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    Autodesk 3ds MaxCATIA
    Small Businesses
    Autodesk Maya
    Score8.4 out of 10
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Navisworks
    Score9.1 out of 10
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Navisworks
    Score9.1 out of 10
    PTC Creo
    Score7.6 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Autodesk 3ds MaxCATIA
    Likelihood to Recommend
    9.5
    (13 ratings)
    7.1
    (10 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Usability
    9.3
    (4 ratings)
    7.1
    (2 ratings)
    Support Rating
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    7.8
    (3 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Autodesk 3ds MaxCATIA
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    When it comes to modelling a product using multiple parts, CATIA becomes tedious. One need someone to sit with and learn with the experience from a frequent user. If switching from any other software to CATIA, it can be intimidating as learning curve is lengthy. For example, when working with complex shape in a knuckle joint, more steps are needed in part modelling. This cause part modelling lengthier and consume time more time, in comparison to SOLIDWORKS. However, CATIA is tremendously helpful in generating really complex features. Surface modelling is way easier when one know how to use it. It becomes really handy to make changes to the design later as well. The design history tree is also very well organized, which save time in later modifications
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
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    Dassault Systemes
    • Surface modeling module is extremely developed and successful.
    • 2D drafting module is doing the job effectively (AutoCAD is no more required).
    Incentivized
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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.
    Incentivized
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    Dassault Systemes
    • The software is pretty heavy, even with computers designed for heavy-duty loads, resulting in long wait times to load files and make changes, reducing productivity.
    Incentivized
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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
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    No answers on this topic
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    It is a good software for conception. But it is too hard sometimes to work with and understand the different options available
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    Autodesk
    I have contacted support many times and have had a good experience. They have always been helpful
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    We got frequent updates on CATIA. There are lots of update notes. Also, there are lots of lots of videos online to solve the issues that you can stumble upon. It also has a built-in help manual, which helps occasionally. I have gotten my education through a physical class on CATIA, so there are opportunities like that as well.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Dassault Systemes
    You can create solid or 3D figures more easily and efficiently using Catia than in other programs or in specific AutoCAD. You can also create different pieces to later assemble them and thus create figures even more complex or in greater detail. In the same way, you can make 2D drawings without much complication.
    Incentivized
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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.
    Incentivized
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    Dassault Systemes
    • If designing large assemblies or very complex ones, especially in the aerospace industry, CATIA is the way to go.
    • The graphics are really good, and the software offers many possibilities to view a design: 2D, 3D, bird's eye view...
    • Controls pan zoom rotate are easy.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots