Autodesk 3ds Max vs Pencil

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.

Pencil is a browser-based AI design and commerce platform for jewelry, connecting product design, manufacturing files, and online shopping experiences. Design tools include editable templates, stone settings, custom 2D and 3D uploads, AI-generated 3D elements, and advanced parameters. Designs can be downloaded as production-ready 3D STL files. The Professional plan includes an e-commerce and product photo generator, and the Design page says users can create studio-quality product photos. Pencil Shop adds ring and pendant website builders, lead capture, quoting, live pricing, and add-to-cart tools; configurators can be deployed on platforms such as Shopify and Wix through an app integration. Enterprise includes headless API access for making existing products configurable, along with custom tools, parametric templates, wholesale markup tools, and a custom-trained AI design agent. The free plan has 0 AI credits and a three-design limit. Professional costs $39 a month, Pencil Shop costs $199 a month, and Pencil Shop Pro costs $499 a month. Enterprise pricing is custom.