3D Animation Software

What's 3D animation?

3D animation uses computer graphics to make objects look like they are moving in 3-dimensional space. Artists use 3D modelling software to build the objects. Next comes rigging, a virtual representation of an object or character's skeleton. Animators pose the rig at strategic points so it appears to move. Newer methods of animation involve motion capture, which records an actor's live movements for digital animation. Autodesk provides 3D animation software that spans the 3D production pipeline for today's demanding film, game and television projects.

How is 3D animation software used?

VFX Studios: Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones visual effects pros from around the world share how the global phenomenon, with its tight deadlines and high viewer expectations, has challenged internal workflows, the way facilities collaborate and the visual effects business overall.

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See what our customers are doing

ILM: Kong Skull Island

With larger than life creatures comes great responsibility. The animators and filmmakers of Kong: Skull Island discuss the challenges and opportunities of making the blockbuster film.

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Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

We spoke with the Resident Evil 7: Biohazard development team about how game pipelines are evolving to be more like film pipelines, the transition to physically based rendering, their game engine and bringing the franchise to VR.

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Media & Entertainment Collection

Get Maya + 3ds Max + Arnold + more

The Media & Entertainment Collection provides end-to-end tools for creating entertainment content, from first draft to final frames.

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Connect studios, teams and workflows with Shotgun

Professional production tracking and review

Shotgun combines powerful project management and review tools on a single platform that integrates with top VFX software, like Maya, 3ds Max, Foundry's Nuke and SideFX's Houdini.

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Free 3D animation software

Free software for students and educators

We offer free Autodesk software for students and educators. Use the same 3D animation software as top professionals around the world.

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Free software for non-profit organisations

Are you a non-profit organisation or entrepreneur working to create positive impact through design? See if you qualify for our Technology Impact Programme.

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What's new in Maya and 3ds Max

Discover the newest features for animating in Maya and 3ds Max.

Maya: UV editor workflow, look and feel

We have overhauled the UV Editor interface and included a new UV Toolkit with better tools and functionality.

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Maya: Clump modifier for interactive grooming

Generate realistic clumping effects in hair and fur for more natural-looking hair.

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3ds Max: 3ds Max Interactive

Build immersive architectural visualisations with the combined power of 3ds Max and a virtual reality engine in one place.

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3ds Max: Arnold for 3ds Max

Get the power of the Arnold renderer in 3ds Max with the new MaxtoA plugin.

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Beginners: get started in 3D animation

3D animation for games

Getting into 3D animation for game design has never been easier.

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3ds Max basic animation

Beginner-level tutorial shows how to animate an object in 3ds Max.

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Maya tutorials on Pluralsight

Learn 3D animation, rigging, walk cycles, nDynamics and more.

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Put your designs into VR

Learn how to move your design visualisations from 3ds Max into VR, to add more immersion and interactivity.

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