Autodesk has released 3ds Max 2026.3, with minor improvements to existing tools and performance updates across several core features, including the Conform modifier, USD integration, the Material Switcher, and Arnold for 3ds Max.
The Conform modifier gains a new option for distance parameters when using the Shrink Wrap projection method. This addition provides new distance and falloff controls that determine how far the modifier searches for a target surface. Users can now define a maximum distance for surface hits, with falloff values controlling the influence area, resulting in more predictable deformation behavior.
USD for 3ds Max 0.13 introduces new functionality such as the Asset Resolver, which automates file path resolution using search paths and tokens. Users can now duplicate prims by holding Shift while dragging in the Viewport, as well as rename, delete, and reparent prims. The update adds support for anonymous root layers, MaterialX material imports, Shell material exports, and improved USDSkel export, offering more flexibility when organizing and transferring scene data.
The Material Switcher now includes an animatable index, allowing artists to switch between up to 9,999 materials dynamically. This feature enables more efficient control over material transitions during animation and scene development.
Arnold for 3ds Max (MAXtoA) version 5.8.3.2 adds a new Inference imager that supports image-to-image machine learning models using the ONNX framework. Rendering performance has been improved through updates to Global Light Sampling, GPU volume rendering, and OpenPBR material handling. GPU renders now account for material glossiness during sampling, and scenes with volumetric effects render up to 3.3 times faster. MAXtoA also introduces updated Scene Converter presets for OpenPBR, improved handling of default lights, and automatic creation of output directories during renders.
Other refinements in 3ds Max 2026.3 include an improved thumbnail cache in the Slate Material Editor to avoid unnecessary re-rendering when color management settings change. The Biped system receives stability fixes addressing crashes related to keyframing and inverse kinematics. The Skin modifier’s Remove Zero Weights tool now commits changes correctly, and cloth simulations have been restored to match the behavior of versions 2025 and 2024.
For more information, visit Autodesk’s official documentation.
I’ve wanted to attach a triceratops skull to my plate mail for years… now I can finally do that. The future is truly as bright as I was promised.
Here’s the list of updates to software that competes with 3dsmax:
Houdini
Blender
Cinema 4d
Unreal
3D Coat
Maya
Notice anything?
Everyone knows that AD will deprecate 3Ds in a near future.
The reason it’s not already dead is the plugin ecosystem, otherwise it would already be game over the XSI way.
Maya will eventually stay because it’s the root of many pipelines, the rest will probably switch over to Blender since it’s quite similar to 3ds in many ways, and AI will slowly but surely take over in the non-runtime market (vfx, previz, archviz)…
No competition for Max. It has a mighty noise modifier and saved Hollywood on at least one occasion (tale based on true events). With that said, what’s your preferred payment method, Sir?
Edit – I messed up, this was supposed to be a reply to James’ comment…
I’m surprised you guys take the time to go out of your way to trash 3ds Max. For me, the software still largely does what we need it to do in production, that’s why it’s still around. Yeah Houdini has 300 new features, but it’s not a games of numbers, it’s a game of what software can do what I need. 3ds Max is an incredible piece of software, as well as the others you mentioned above. If ya don’t like it, don’t use it.
Wow, I really love how Autodesk rewards its loyal users with so many innovative new tools and all those amazing bug fixes. And the great communication. Every user knows exactly what the future of 3ds Max looks like. I just want to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you, Autodesk. I’m sure the thousands of dollars I’ve paid over the last 14 years were well invested.