There is a lot of software available in the market for 3D modeling. Among all the software, two highly competitive software that we are discussing today in this article is SketchUp and 3ds Max. Both these software have gained the maximum number of likes and best ratings in the industry. Both of them are CAD applications.
3ds Max is a 3D graphics software developed by Autodesk in 1996. It works on the Windows platform and is available in various languages such as English, German, French, Japanese, etc. It is used by animators, graphic designers as well as architects.
Another is Sketchup, used in different fields such as architecture, interior designing, engineering, etc. It was developed in the year 2000 and worked on both windows and mac. Trimble owns it. It is also available in various languages such as English, Italian, Chinese, etc. It has two versions one is paid, and another one is free. A free one is named SketchUp Free, whereas paid one is SketchUp Make and SketchUp Pro with all advanced functionalities. Download Render for SketchUp free.
Both of this software have almost equal user satisfaction. Now let us know what makes them different from each other.
1. Price
One is a free version for SketchUp on the other two versions, i.e., SketchUp for students, and the Pro version costs $695 with non-expiring-license. At the same time, 3ds Max software has a complete plan of 3 years, which needs to be renewed. For a month, it costs $185, for one year, it costs $1470, and for three years, it costs $4,410 for a single user license.
2. Distinct Features
There are more features in 3ds max than in the other one. You can use 3ds maximum for innovative asset packaging, spline workflows, hair, and fur modifier, mesh as well as surface modeling, 3d animation, dynamics. Whereas Another one offers the following features: Lightening effects, textures, layer manager, animations as well as designing 2d as well as 3d models.
3. Used By
3ds max is used by small businesses, large businesses, and freelancers. Whereas another one is just used by large industries and not by freelancers.
4. User Interface
Sketchup has a better user interface, as you can see the 3d view, and it offers better space and appearance for editing the video. In comparison, the other one gives you a black screen with all the 3d editing tools.
5. Learning Curve
SketchUp is easy to learn, and if you have enthusiasm, you can learn it on your own and start working on it, whereas 3ds Max is difficult to understand because of its less impressive User Interface. But you can learn this in a better way by joining the 3ds Max course at the nearby institute.
From the above discussion, we can conclude that if a person wants to design realistic animation and renderings, go for 3ds Max. If you’re going to make designing, modeling, and create something new and exclusive, then you can go for SketchUp.