The debate on what’s the best tool for Animation and 3D designing has been going on for a while. And we’ve decided to put that to an end once and for all with this blog that highlights the key differences between the tools and how to pick one that’s best for you!

If you are wondering why this is important and the reason we’ve featured it as part of our “Know your Design Software,” series, we’d like to put things in perspective. The Animation and Design industry’s revenue as of 2016 was noted to be USD 11.46 billion. It is expected to have a 28.31% growth by the year 2025, with a CAGR of around 10.7%. That is surely a phenomenal growth and it is important for people venturing into the space to know what tool suits them best. While fundamentally it is impossible to call one as the best over the other is impossible, and that’s not what we aim at doing too, this blog will talk about what each tool does best, what they lack, and how to leverage each of them to the best of your advantage.

What’s Best About Maya?

1. Numerous tools to pick from

If you are keen on creating breathtaking 3D visuals and models this is your go-to tool. Maya comes with a vast number of animation tools in its library.

2. Rigging

Maya wins the Rig game as it lets you create complex characters with ease. The only catch being you would have to have an understanding of MEL language. Max, on the other hand, lets you rig too, but is not capable of producing complex characters that Maya does. So, the winner in this aspect is clear!

3. Easy to Customize

If you are familiar with languages like Python or MEL, there is no other tool like Maya to customize your animation. Designers have a host of options to choose from and multiple customizations, which would bring your vision to the screen!

4. Cheaper Solution

Maya is relatively a cheaper option when you are going for a paid version. If you are a game developer who wishes to explore the basic animation and design features of the tool with a cheaper version of the tool, you could always opt for MayaLT.

What’s Best About 3DS Max?

1. Modeling

It has all the poly modeling tools in one place and boasts of its strength as a modeling tool. So, hands down Max would give you the best architectural visualization capability.

2. Modifiers

Max wins hands down in this space as it comes with a massive library of modifiers that make your modeling seamless.

3. Ideal for Beginners

Easy to use and an engaging interface, Max is the tool to pick if you are taking your baby steps in designing. If you are an experienced designer who is new to this tool, you would still find it useful and we are sure your output quality would develop phenomenally!

4. Ideal for Windows

Designers need not depend on a Mac for all their design needs. Here’s one tool that works perfectly on Windows OS. While this could also be seen as a drawback as it does not support OSX, Linux, and Windows, all of which Maya supports.

What should you pick?

Well, it is important for you to know your needs and expectations from the tool. It is impossible to say if Maya is better than Max or the other way round. That’s because both tools have their strengths and flaws. So, we would suggest you understand which tool suits your requirements better and hone your skills accordingly. If you are not sure what tool suits your need best and want to understand it by working on them, you can try a free trial of both the tools before you hit buy! As you practice, you will develop expertise, until then, iMediaBay has your back and all your design needs covered!