SketchUp and 3Ds Max both are advanced modelling, sculpting and animation software used for creating different styles of animation, models, visual effects etc. They are used by different industries for different purposes ranging from advertisement to commercial production of animation works and marketing. They are used in designing assets for games and movies. Both come with robust sculpting, animation, texturing and visual effects features. There is always been confusion in choosing software for the work which would be best suited for them. So let’s understand the key differences between these softwares.
SketchUp is computer software which is used for making 3D designs and modelling 3D assets for different purposes like animated movies, games etc. It is one of the best software which comes packed with a robust toolset using which anyone can create 3D models of interiors, machinery, products etc. Initially, it was released in 2000 and its stable version was released in 2019.
Advantages of SketchUp
- It comes with pre-built doors, roofs, walls etc to ease modelling work.
- It allows putting building models on actual sites using google earth.
- It allows third-party plugins for supporting advanced features.
- It has 2D modelling functionality along with 3D modelling.
Disadvantages of SketchUp
- Realistic photo rendering is not available in this software.
- It does not have any feature to automate tasks so everything is needed to be done manually.
- Community support for this software is also low.
3Ds Max is a computer graphics software tool which is used in the animations and the visual effects industry. The development credit for this software goes to Autodesk. It was initially released in 1996 and the stable release was in 2021. It is capable of running on Windows 7 and later versions of Windows.
Advantages of 3Ds Max
- It has a user-friendly interface which makes complex animation tasks easy.
- It comes with a material editor which allows it to simulate different material properties like clay, stone, wood etc.
- It allows the user to write codes and scripts through Maxscript Editor.
- It has an easy installation and configuration process.
- It supports importing files from other Autodesk software.
Limitations of 3Ds Max
- It is not cross-platform software and is only available for Windows.
- It is an expensive software which needs a subscription means buying it for a lifetime is not available.
Following is a table of differences between SketchUp and 3Ds Max:
|
SketchUp |
3Ds Max |
|
| 1. | Sketchup is also known as Google SketchUp is a 3D designing and modelling software which provides easy to use tools for modelling. | 3ds Max can be understood as a graphic software which comes with construction, architecture and designing tools for animation. |
| 2. | It was developed by Trimble Incorporation. | It was developed by Autodesk. |
| 3. | It is available in only two languages English and Swedish. | It is available in many languages like English, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Korean etc. |
| 4. | It has 3 different versions each for specific use. These are Sketchup free, Sketchup for school and Sketchup pro. | 3ds Max has different plans which are available for different prices according to user needs. |
| 5. | It has comparatively fewer features than 3Ds Max, like, it does not have visual effects editing features. | It has a large number of features as compared to Sketchup. |
| 6. | This software is easy to learn. | It is a complex software and hence learning it is tough. |
| 7. | The user interface is best. | Its user interface is good. |
| 8. | It allows 2D modelling along with 3D. | It does not allow 2D animation. |