Autodesk 3ds Max vs. CATIA

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
CATIA
Score 8.3 out of 10
N/A
CATIA 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
Features
Autodesk 3ds MaxCATIA
Computer-Aided Design Software
Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of Product A and Product B
Autodesk 3ds Max
-
Ratings
CATIA
8.3
2 Ratings
11% above category average
3D Modeling00 Ratings8.32 Ratings
2D Drafting00 Ratings8.32 Ratings
Rendering and Visualization00 Ratings7.12 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
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.6 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.6 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.6 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 7.6 out of 10
Enterprises
Rhino
Rhino
Score 8.4 out of 10
Rhino
Rhino
Score 8.4 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Autodesk 3ds MaxCATIA
Likelihood to Recommend
9.4
(13 ratings)
7.7
(10 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.1
(4 ratings)
7.7
(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.
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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
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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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Dassault Systemes
  • Surface modeling module is extremely developed and successful.
  • 2D drafting module is doing the job effectively (AutoCAD is no more required).
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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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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.
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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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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.
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Dassault Systemes
It is a good software for conception. But it is too hard sometimes to work with and understand the different options available
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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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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.
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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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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.
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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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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.
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ScreenShots