Autodesk 3ds Max vs JewelBeetle

Autodesk 3ds Max is Windows desktop software for 3D modeling and animation. It is aimed at 3D generalists, modelers, animators, and look development artists working on game development, film and television production, and design visualization. Modeling tools include Smart Extrude, high-quality Booleans, and ReForm retopology. CAT and Biped provide rigging and character-animation setups. A built-in renderer and Arnold integration support rendering, while 3D print export handles output for physical production. Integrated OpenUSD support is intended to improve collaboration. Scripting and plugins such as tyFlow, thinkingParticles, and ForestPack extend the application. Flow Retopology moves mesh operations to the cloud, and Flow Studio can launch inside 3ds Max to send footage-derived elements through USD. It runs on Microsoft Windows 10 and 11. A free 30-day trial is available; paid subscriptions are $255 a month, $2,010 a year, or $6,025 a year billed every three years.

JewelBeetle is Windows 3D jewelry design software for building and presenting models. Its component builders create gems, bezels, heads, prongs, gallery rails, and ring shanks, while parametric modeling, ring sizing, and stone-setting tools support design work. The Projects panel stores models and related STL files, images, and PDFs. The Bella render engine includes materials and finishes and can produce turntable animations as MP4 files. Metal Weights calculates object volume and reports common metal weights in pennyweight and grams, with an option to estimate price from current spot prices. JewelBeetle supports Windows 10 and Windows 11; Mac is not supported. A Rhino 7 or Rhino 8 license is required, and an internet connection is needed for installation downloads and license validation. Customers can request a two-week trial, with a watermark on Bella Render trial output. Listed support includes a user forum and email. The JewelBeetle 3D Jewelry Design Studio costs $4,995, paid once, sales tax excluded. Options bundling Rhino 8 cost $5,545 as a one-time purchase or $5,845, paid once.