3ds Max CAT vs Contour Rig Tools
3ds Max CAT
help.autodesk.comContour Rig Tools
notionalpipe.comSide by side
| Figure | 3ds Max CAT | Contour Rig Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $167.50/mo | $40/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 4 |
| Spec score · 3D Rigging Software | 8.1 (#6) | 9.1 (#1) |
Plans
3ds Max CAT
- 3ds Max monthly subscription$255 a month
- 3ds Max annual subscription$2,010 a year
- 3ds Max three-year subscription$6,025 a year
Contour Rig Tools
- Animator ModeFree
- Rigger Mode — twelve months$40 a month
- Rigger Mode — six months$45 a month
- Rigger Mode — one month$50 a month
In their own words
3ds Max CAT
3ds Max CAT has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Contour Rig Tools
Contour Rig Tools is a spline-based rigging system for Autodesk Maya, designed for animation production and technical directors. Contour joint chains generate splines that serve as single deformer influences, potentially reducing weight-painting work. Its volume-aware spline deformation handles bends and twists and is designed to avoid pinching and candy-wrappering. Contour Bones include length and stretch controls, and bone CVs can be used as spline control points. Built-in IK includes stretch and anti-pop features, while constraints drive transforms and relationships between Contour chains. A Python API can create, modify, and query Contour nodes, accepting strings, pyNodes, and MObjects. The tool can drive conventional Maya joints for game-engine export. Version 1.0.12.1 supports Maya 2020 through 2026, except Maya 2023.0, 2023.1, and 2024.0; downloads are provided for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Animator Mode is free for animating with rigs and adding bone CVs. Creating or modifying rigs requires Rigger Mode, starting at $40 a month billed for twelve months.