Autodesk releases 3ds Max 2025.3
The 3ds Max 2025.3 update improves performance of the software’s Array modifier.
Autodesk has posted the online documentation for the new features in 3ds Max 2025.3, the latest version of its 3D modeling and rendering software.
The release adds support for OpenPBR, the new open material standard co-authored by Autodesk, both within 3ds Max itself, and in its integration to the Arnold renderer.
There are also performance improvements to two of 3ds Max’s key modifiers, and bugfixes for long-standing issues in the animation toolset.
At the time of writing, Autodesk hasn’t announced the release on its product timeline, but according to the online documentation, it is now available to subscribers.
3D modeling and animation: performance and workflow improvements
Aside from one key new feature – about which, more later – the changes to the core application in 3ds Max 2025.3 are largely performance and workflow improvements.
Performance improvements include updates to the Boolean Modifier, which is now “20 to 50% faster” than in 3ds Max 2025.1, and the Array Modifer, which is “50% to 210% faster”.
There are also bugfixes to the CAT and Biped animation toolsets, “address[ing] long-standing issues and customer suggestions”.
Materials: support for the new OpenPBR material standard
However, the biggest change in 3ds Max 2025.3 is support for OpenPBR, the new open material standard developed by Autodesk and Adobe.
A unified successor to the Autodesk Standard Surface and Adobe Standard Material, it is intended to increase interoperability between of material between CG applications.
According to Autodesk, it also provides a better sheen/fuzz model and parameterization of metal reflectivity than Standard Surface.
In 3ds Max, the OpenPBR material can be accessed via the Slate and Compact Material Editors, and comes with presets for a range of real-world materials.
Arnold for 3ds Max: a wide-ranging update
The OpenPBR material is also supported in Arnold for 3ds Max 5.7.5.0 (MAXtoA 5.7.5.0), the latest version of 3ds Max’s integration plugin for Autodesk’s Arnold renderer.
The release also updates Arnold’s Ramp shaders, which get new 3D ramp modes, and the option to add procedural noise to the ramps generated.
The Tonemap imager gets a self-descriptive heatmap mode, which generates heatmap-style effects in renders.
Volume rendering workflow has also been improved, with volumes now displayed in the viewport, and two new parameters for controlling light scattering.
For denoising renders, the OIDN (OpenImageDenoise) denoiser is now supported on AMD as well NVIDIA GPUs on Windows.
Under the hood, GPU rendering performance has been improved, particularly on scenes containing large numbers of lights or instances.
Workflow improvements include a new toolbar that provides direct access to the Arnold RenderView and IPR rendering, and quick access to key Arnold features.
There are also a lot of smaller changes, so check out the release notes for a detailed list.
USD for 3ds Max: new import options and workflow improvements
USD for 3ds Max, which implements workflows based around the Universal Scene Description format inside 3ds Max, also gets an update.
New features in USD for 3ds Max 0.9 include the option to edit the properties of USD prims in the Modify panel, and to snap to USD mesh prims in the viewport.
It is also now possible to import USD Curves as 3ds Max Shapes.
Price and system requirements
3ds Max is compatible with Windows 10+. It is rental-only. Subscriptions cost $235/month or $1,875/year.
In many countries, artists earning under $100,000/year and working on projects valued at under $100,000/year qualify for Indie subscriptions, which cost $305/year.
Read a full list of new features in 3ds Max 2025.3 in the online documentation
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