Download Autodesk 3ds Max 2025.2

Customize, collaborate, and create 3D content quickly with Autodesk 3ds Max 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software. It’s packed with brand-new, user-requested features and enhancements for entertainment and design professionals.

3ds Max 2025 offers a rich and flexible toolset to create premium designs with full artistic control.

Create massive worlds in games
Visualize high-quality architectural renderings
Model finely detailed interiors and objects
Bring characters and features to life with animation and VFX

Whether you’re an artist or a designer, new motion graphics, animation, and simulation tools in Autodesk 3ds Max software empower you to focus more energy on creative, rather than technical challenges, raising the quality of your work without compromising your ability to meet ever-shorter deadlines.

The built-in Arnold renderer provides a fully interactive experience and can handle your most complex characters and scenes.

Features and Highlights

Create and animate geometry in several intuitive ways with enhanced spline tools.
Create or use pre-existing procedural OSL maps with any supported renderer.
Create best-in-class procedural edge modeling details with simple and precise tools.
Morph visible seams by simplifying the process of blending projected texture maps.
Apply material finishes, change textures, and use vibrant colors to make your designs photorealistic.
Automate complex modeling operations, which dynamically update as you make changes.
A built-in weighted normal calculator that can be directly applied to 3D models allowing you to create precise designs – NEW!
Streamlined, intuitive, and fully scriptable texture baking experience – NEW!
Create realistic liquid behaviors such as water, oil, lava as well as replicate gravity and collisions effects.
Create procedural animation and character rigging with CAT, biped, and crowd animation tools.
Use keyframe and procedural animation tools and also view and edit animation trajectories directly in the viewport.
Use Arnold GPU Renderer to view scene changes in real-time, including lighting, materials, and camera.
An interactive rendering experience that allows you to see your scene in a near-final rendering quality as you’re working.
Simulate real-life camera settings in 3ds Max from Autodesk such as shutter speed, aperture, depth of field, exposure, and more.
Seamlessly and consistently change materials, lights, cameras, renderers from one to another.
Smooth, high-quality experience with the added flexibility of tear-off viewports.
Create your own custom workspaces with a more modern, responsive, high-DPI-ready user interface.
Alembic Version 1.7 now supports instances, allowing files to be drastically smaller while maintaining their original complexity.
Bring to life fine-tuned touches such as materials, lighting, and textures for photorealistic imagery.
Import your CAD and BIM files and use it to create a general structure and enhance the details of your 3D design.
Simulate artificial lighting sources to accurately portray how light and shadows will interact with your designs.
Easily model a place, person, or element with fast spline and poly modeling workflows.
Quickly iterate and see near-final quality renders of your game assets right in the viewport.
And much more!

How to Use

Install and Set Up – Download and install 3ds Max, then configure your workspace and preferences.
Navigate the Interface – Learn the viewport controls, toolbars, and command panel for efficient workflow.
Modeling Objects – Use primitive shapes, edit poly tools, and modifiers to create 3D models.
Applying Materials – Use the Material Editor to assign textures and shaders to objects.
Lighting and Rendering – Set up lights, adjust shadows, and render scenes with Arnold or V-Ray.
Animating Objects – Use keyframes and animation controllers to create motion.
Using Modifiers – Apply bend, twist, and other modifiers to refine your models.
Camera Setup – Position and adjust cameras for realistic scene composition.
Exporting and Importing – Save files in different formats for compatibility with other software.
Learning Shortcuts – Use hotkeys to speed up modeling, rendering, and animation tasks.

FAQ

Can I run 3ds Max on a Mac?
3ds Max is designed for Windows and is not natively supported on macOS. However, users may attempt to run it using virtualization software such as Boot Camp, Parallels, or VMware.

Does Autodesk support 3ds Max on macOS using Boot Camp, Parallels, or VMware?
No, Autodesk no longer provides technical support for 3ds Max installations running in virtual environments on macOS.

Why doesn’t Autodesk support 3ds Max on Mac virtualization anymore?
Issues with Windows 10 and graphics driver incompatibilities have made it difficult to guarantee a stable user experience when running 3ds Max in virtual environments.

Alternatives

Blender – Free, open-source 3D modeling and animation software.

Cinema 4D – User-friendly 3D software for motion graphics and VFX.

Houdini – Powerful procedural 3D modeling and VFX tool.

ZBrush – Digital sculpting and painting software for high-detail models.

SolidWorks – Parametric CAD software for engineering and product design.

Fusion 360 – Cloud-powered CAD, CAM, and 3D modeling tool.

Daz 3D Studio – Character creation and animation software for artists.

System requirements

OS: Windows 11 or Windows 10
CPU: 64-bit Intel® or AMD® multi-core processor with an SSE4.2 instruction set
RAM: 4 GB of RAM minimum (8 GB or more recommended)
DISK SPACE: 9 GB of free disk space for the install
POINTING DEVICE: Three-button mouse

PROS

Powerful Modeling Tools: It offers a wide range of modeling tools, including parametric and polygon modeling, which are ideal for creating complex 3D models.

Animation Capabilities: It has robust animation tools, including keyframe animation, character rigging, and character animation tools, making it suitable for creating both simple and complex animations.

Particle Systems: The program includes powerful particle systems and dynamics simulations that enable you to create realistic effects such as smoke, fire, and fluid simulations.

Rendering Options: It supports various rendering engines, including its built-in Arnold renderer, allowing for high-quality and photorealistic renderings. You can also use third-party renderers like V-Ray or Corona.

Scripting and Customization: The software has a strong scripting and plugin ecosystem, making it highly customizable for specific workflows and industry requirements.

Integration: It integrates well with other Autodesk software like AutoCAD and Maya, as well as third-party software and plugins.

Large User Community: Being a widely used software, there is a large user community, which means extensive online resources, tutorials, and support are available.

CONS

Steep Learning Curve: It can be challenging for beginners due to its extensive feature set and complex interface. It may take time to become proficient.

Resource Intensive: Working with large and complex scenes can be resource-intensive, requiring a powerful computer with a high-end GPU for smooth performance.

Limited Modeling Options: While it excels in polygon modeling, it may not be the best choice for parametric modeling or precision engineering tasks when compared to software like Autodesk Inventor or SolidWorks.

Stability Issues: Some users have reported stability issues, crashes, or bugs, although Autodesk regularly releases updates to address these issues.

Competition: There are other 3D modeling and animation software options available, such as Blender (which is free and open-source) and Cinema 4D, which offer strong competition to 3ds Max.

Note: 30 days trial version. To review 3D Studio Max files you can use a free Autodesk FBX Review tool.