---
description: Learn more about 3ds Max price, benefits, and disadvantages for businesses in New Zealand. Read verified software reviews and find tools that fit your business needs.
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title: 3ds Max Pricing, Reviews & Features - Capterra New Zealand 2026
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Breadcrumb: [Home](/) > [3D Rendering Software](/directory/34095/3d-rendering/software) > [3ds Max](/software/206897/3ds-max)

# 3ds Max

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> Produce professional 3D models and renders for design visualization, game development, and animation with 3ds Max's robust design tools
> 
> Verdict: Rated **4.6/5** by 113 users. Top-rated for **Likelihood to recommend**.

-----

## Overview

### Who Uses 3ds Max?

Project Manager , Designer , Architect , Construction Manager , Structural Engineer , Geographic Information System Specialist , Drafter , Computer Aided Design Manager , Urban Planner , Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineer

## Quick Stats & Ratings

| Metric | Rating | Detail |
| **Overall** | **4.6/5** | 113 Reviews |
| Ease of Use | 3.7/5 | Based on overall reviews |
| Customer Support | 4.1/5 | Based on overall reviews |
| Value for Money | 4.0/5 | Based on overall reviews |
| Features | 4.6/5 | Based on overall reviews |
| Recommendation percentage | 80% | (8/10 Likelihood to recommend) |

## About the vendor

- **Company**: Autodesk
- **Location**: San Rafael, US
- **Founded**: 1982

## Commercial Context

- **Starting Price**: US$205.00
- **Pricing Details**: 3ds max includes offers a free trial. Paid plans include monthly and annual subscriptions, details of which are outlined below:&#10;Monthly - $205&#10;1 Year - $1,620&#10;3 Year - $4,375
- **Target Audience**: Self Employed, 2–10, 11–50, 51–200, 201–500, 501–1,000, 1,001–5,000, 5,001–10,000, 10,000+
- **Deployment & Platforms**: Cloud, SaaS, Web-based, Windows (Desktop)
- **Supported Languages**: English
- **Available Countries**: United States

## Features

- 2D Drawing
- 3D Design & Modeling
- 3D Modeling
- Animation
- Animations & Transitions
- Annotations
- Content Library
- Drag & Drop
- Media Import
- Physics Simulation
- Rendering
- Third-Party Integrations
- Video Content
- Workflow Management

## Support Options

- Email/Help Desk
- FAQs/Forum
- Knowledge Base
- Phone Support

## Category

- [3D Rendering Software](https://www.capterra.co.nz/directory/34095/3d-rendering/software)

## Related Categories

- [3D Rendering Software](https://www.capterra.co.nz/directory/34095/3d-rendering/software)
- [3D CAD Software](https://www.capterra.co.nz/directory/31236/3d-cad/software)
- [3D Architecture Software](https://www.capterra.co.nz/directory/31276/3d-architecture/software)
- [Game Development Software](https://www.capterra.co.nz/directory/30951/game-development/software)
- [Animation Software](https://www.capterra.co.nz/directory/32795/animation/software)

## Alternatives

1. [AutoCAD](https://www.capterra.co.nz/software/174021/autocad) — 4.7/5 (3205 reviews)
2. [SolidWorks Premium](https://www.capterra.co.nz/software/93121/solidworks-premium) — 4.6/5 (756 reviews)
3. [SketchUp](https://www.capterra.co.nz/software/211798/sketchup) — 4.5/5 (1046 reviews)
4. [Alibre Design](https://www.capterra.co.nz/software/172312/alibre-design) — 4.7/5 (182 reviews)
5. [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.capterra.co.nz/software/178416/fusion-360) — 4.5/5 (268 reviews)

## Reviews

### "3D MAX PURE PHOTOREALISM" — 3.0/5

> **MARCO ANTONIO** | *31 January 2025* | Architecture & Planning | Recommendation rating: 9.0/10
> 
> **Pros**: T IS THE SOFTWARE WITH THE GREATEST PHOTOREALISM FOR ARCHITECTURAL SCENES
> 
> **Cons**: THE LEARNING CURVE IS VERY COMPLEX AT SOME POINTS.
> 
> THE BEST SOFTWARE TO CREATE PURE PHOTO-REALISTIC IMAGES.

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### "3Ds Max Abilities" — 5.0/5

> **Marissa** | *22 January 2026* | Graphic Design | Recommendation rating: 10.0/10
> 
> **Pros**: The ability to create 3d objects and characters. I used it often to design rooms and create 3d renderings of buildings and homes. They way this program works I really understood how to create stuff. The ease of putting on textures and creating your own was mind blowing. &#10;Animating stuff was easy as well. Being able to animate and edit multiple camera views in one project chefs kiss
> 
> **Cons**: The cost of this software is so high but I kinda understand why it does.so much.&#10;The newer version never had major updates so it made it difficult to update constantly. Also I didn't like that you couldn't open projects from older version.
> 
> Great experience I learned a lot about 3d design, animation, rigging, textures, and physics. Highly recommend this software to anyone interested in 3D design and modeling

-----

### "Outstanding 3D Tools, Disappointing Business Direction" — 4.0/5

> **Darren** | *22 August 2025* | Design | Recommendation rating: 5.0/10
> 
> **Pros**: 3ds Max was one of the most powerful and versatile 3D design and animation tools I ever used. For over two decades, it was central to my work — from modeling and rendering to animation and visualization. The software’s depth of features, stability, and ability to produce professional-quality results made it an industry leader. It was worth the significant upfront investment when ownership and upgrade options were available.
> 
> **Cons**: The introduction of the subscription-only model was the breaking point. I originally paid over $6,000 for a perpetual license and invested heavily in every upgrade path for years. That investment has now been disregarded. Being forced into ongoing payments simply to retain access makes long-term users feel punished rather than valued. This pricing model is unsustainable for me and ultimately drove me away from the software.
> 
> My overall experience with 3ds Max was excellent from a creative and technical standpoint. It delivered industry-leading 3D modeling, rendering, and animation tools that I used daily for many years. The software more than justified its high price when ownership was an option. Unfortunately, my journey with it ended when the subscription model was introduced. Despite decades of loyalty and thousands of dollars invested, I am now excluded unless I commit to perpetual payments. That business model does not respect past investment and has forced me to abandon what was once an essential tool.

-----

### "Facilitates Virtual Home Staging for Listings." — 5.0/5

> **Ignacio** | *23 September 2025* | Real Estate | Recommendation rating: 9.0/10
> 
> **Pros**: Commentators applaud the realistic rendering and flexible modeling features, which support smooth virtual home tour customization and draw out compelling property attributes for buyers.
> 
> **Cons**: Other critics resent the cumbersome interface and attribute feature overload in hindering novices, particularly where rapid turnaround is required for high-pressure client presentations.
> 
> Agents can present virtual tours of new listings to impress international buyers and reduce the time from viewing to offer by providing immersive visual experiences.

-----

### "Evolve design skills" — 4.0/5

> **Verified Reviewer** | *4 November 2025* | Construction | Recommendation rating: 6.0/10
> 
> **Pros**: An amazing rendering tool helping architects to develop skills in video editing and animation to animate a 3D project virtually in full. Definitely a game changer in digital twin ability to make a project evolve on 3D, 4D, and 5D (Time and cost). Many important features, especially with AI nowadays, that help customer support and maintenance through the lifecycle of a design project.
> 
> **Cons**: Hard to teach a newbie. Not the best user-friendly interface, a bit complex for non-architect / designer natives. Would be more helpful to simplify some features and interface for anyone (not only professional) to be able to render.
> 
> Back in 2014, my first encounter with 3DsMax was after AutoCAD. It was helpful to take advantage of this tool to render my ideas, plans, and concepts from 2D to 3D. Gives a real feel of the project and a milestone for architects to put the customer in their shoes.

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## Links

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