What is the difference between Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max and Blender?

Question

What is the difference between Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max and Blender?

Answer 1

3D Animation and Visual Effects:



Maya; $125/month

http://autodesk.com/products/autodesk-maya



3D Modeling (Game Assets) and Architectural Visualization:



3ds Max; $125/month

http://autodesk.com/products/3ds-max



Low-Cost Alternative:



Blender; $0 or $10/month

http://blender.org



As a hobbyist, freelancer, or small to medium sized studio you can use Blender as a low-cost alternative to Maya ($125/month), 3ds Max ($125/month), ZBrush ($800), and After Effects ($20/month).



Blender Cycles Reel 2015

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wDRTjzLNK0g

Answer 2

Having experience with them all, I can say that 3ds max is the easiest, albeit most powerful as well, of the rest, in addition to not having to sacrifice ability for convenience. However, to each their won exclusive benefits: Blender is free, however much more complicated and little applicable in the job market; 3ds max has a student option for free license download- which I use-, most game development companies utilize 3ds max, in addition to pixologic zbrush, for most to all of the model creation; Maya has "better" - more refined and complex - animation and effects - like particles and physics -, however it has an extremely steep learning curve - alike blender, much unlike 3ds max.

Answer 3

I haven't used any of them. However, have you looked at SketchUp at all? It's a great free program and capable of a ton more than most people give it credit for. Check out some of the stuff people have made with SketchUp. http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=33509



I did find this thread on Blender vs. Maya vs. Max though. http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?76574-Blender-Vs-Maya-Vs-3D-Maxs



Hope you find what you're looking for.