# 3ds Max Design, Pencil2D vs OpenToonz Comparison

| | 3ds Max Design | Pencil2D | OpenToonz | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.1 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 280 | 16 | 6 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (63.6% of reviews) | Small-Business (81.3% of reviews) | Small-Business (100.0% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | $460 per quarter | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### 3ds Max Design

Pros:
- 3D Modeling (3 reviews)
- Ease of Use (3 reviews)

Cons:
- Difficult Learning (3 reviews)
- High Hardware Requirements (3 reviews)

### Pencil2D

**Not enough data**

### OpenToonz

Pros:
- Creativity (1 reviews)
- Customer Support (1 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (1 reviews)
- Tool Complexity (1 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | 3ds Max Design | Pencil2D | OpenToonz | 
|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.5 (261 reviews) | 8.1 (16 reviews) | 8.9 (6 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 6.6 (261 reviews) | 9.2 (16 reviews) | 5.0 (6 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 6.8 (37 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 6.9 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 7.6 (228 reviews) | 8.5 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.2 (29 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.5 (257 reviews) | 7.8 (16 reviews) | 8.1 (6 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### 3ds Max Design

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Quarterly

Price: $460 per quarter


[Browse all 3 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/3ds-max-design/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Pencil2D

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### OpenToonz

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### 3D Modeling

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **3ds Max Design** | 8.1/10 | 76 |
| **Pencil2D** | N/A | N/A |
| **OpenToonz** | N/A | N/A |

#### Design

| Feature | 3ds Max Design | Pencil2D | OpenToonz | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Sculpting** | 8.1 (64 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Topology** | 7.9 (64 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Drawing** | 7.8 (66 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Brush Variety ** | 6.9 (58 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Effects** | 8.2 (67 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Move

| Feature | 3ds Max Design | Pencil2D | OpenToonz | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Animate** | 8.2 (65 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Render** | 8.7 (71 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Views** | 9.0 (70 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Store & Manage

| Feature | 3ds Max Design | Pencil2D | OpenToonz | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Pipeline ** | 8.0 (61 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Controls** | 8.3 (62 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Template library ** | 7.6 (63 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | 3ds Max Design | Pencil2D | OpenToonz | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **AI Text-to-Image** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### 3D Rendering

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **3ds Max Design** | N/A | N/A |
| **Pencil2D** | N/A | N/A |
| **OpenToonz** | N/A | N/A |

#### Generative AI

| Feature | 3ds Max Design | Pencil2D | OpenToonz | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **AI Text-to-Image** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text-to-Video** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Animation

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **3ds Max Design** | N/A | N/A |
| **Pencil2D** | N/A | N/A |
| **OpenToonz** | N/A | N/A |

#### Generative AI

| Feature | 3ds Max Design | Pencil2D | OpenToonz | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **AI Image-to-Text** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Animation

| Feature | 3ds Max Design | Pencil2D | OpenToonz | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Animation Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/animation)

**Unique to 3ds Max Design (4):** [3D Modeling Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/3d-modeling), [3D Rendering Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/3d-rendering), [VR Visualization Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/vr-visualization), [Virtual Reality (VR) Game Engines](https://www.g2.com/categories/vr-game-engine)




---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | 3ds Max Design | Pencil2D | OpenToonz | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 63.6% | 81.3% | 100.0% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 24.0% | 18.8% | 0% | 
| **Enterprise** | 12.4% | 0% | 0% | 

### By Industry

#### 3ds Max Design

- **Architecture & Planning:** 26.8%
- **Design:** 16.3%
- **Animation:** 6.5%
- **Computer Games:** 5.1%
- **Graphic Design:** 4.3%
- **Civil Engineering:** 2.9%
- **Education Management:** 2.5%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 2.5%
- **Automotive:** 2.2%
- **Computer Software:** 2.2%
- **Other:** 28.6%

#### Pencil2D

- **Animation:** 25.0%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 12.5%
- **Design:** 12.5%
- **Computer Software:** 12.5%
- **Warehousing:** 6.3%
- **Utilities:** 6.3%
- **Program Development:** 6.3%
- **Insurance:** 6.3%
- **Fine Art:** 6.3%
- **Arts and Crafts:** 6.3%

#### OpenToonz

- **Animation:** 50.0%
- **Media Production:** 16.7%
- **Computer Games:** 16.7%
- **Arts and Crafts:** 16.7%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to 3ds Max Design

- [Unity](https://www.g2.com/products/unity/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (364 reviews)
- [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (316 reviews)
- [Cinema 4D](https://www.g2.com/products/cinema-4d/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (136 reviews)
- [Modo](https://www.g2.com/products/modo/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (86 reviews)
- [LightWave 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/lightwave-3d/reviews) — 3.9/5 stars (29 reviews)
- [KeyShot](https://www.g2.com/products/keyshot/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (181 reviews)
- [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews)
- [Enscape 3D](https://www.g2.com/products/enscape-3d/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (415 reviews)
- [ZBrush](https://www.g2.com/products/zbrush/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (104 reviews)
- [Adobe Dimension](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-dimension/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (72 reviews)

### Alternatives to Pencil2D

- [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (316 reviews)
- [Adobe Animate](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-animate/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (147 reviews)
- [Animaker](https://www.g2.com/products/animaker/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (1040 reviews)
- [Unity](https://www.g2.com/products/unity/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (364 reviews)
- [Powtoon](https://www.g2.com/products/powtoon/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (286 reviews)
- [Vyond](https://www.g2.com/products/vyond/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (499 reviews)
- [Renderforest](https://www.g2.com/products/renderforest/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (446 reviews)
- [Meshy](https://www.g2.com/products/meshy/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (2684 reviews)
- [Adobe After Effects](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-after-effects/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1089 reviews)
- [Animation Desk](https://www.g2.com/products/animation-desk/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (11 reviews)

### Alternatives to OpenToonz

- [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (316 reviews)
- [Adobe Animate](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-animate/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (147 reviews)
- [Animaker](https://www.g2.com/products/animaker/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (1040 reviews)
- [Unity](https://www.g2.com/products/unity/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (364 reviews)
- [Adobe After Effects](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-after-effects/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1089 reviews)
- [Renderforest](https://www.g2.com/products/renderforest/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (446 reviews)
- [Vyond](https://www.g2.com/products/vyond/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (499 reviews)
- [Meshy](https://www.g2.com/products/meshy/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (2684 reviews)
- [Powtoon](https://www.g2.com/products/powtoon/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (286 reviews)
- [Maya](https://www.g2.com/products/maya/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (267 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### 3ds Max Design

- Title: [Is 3ds max free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-3ds-max-free) — 3 comments
  > **Top comment:** "No one can try it in trail period but it's not free"
- Title: [What is 3ds Max Design used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-3ds-max-design-used-for) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "<p>3ds Max Design is mainly used for creating high-quality 3D models and realistic visualizations, especially in architecture and interior design. Designers..."
- Title: [What is the difference between 3ds Max and 3ds Max Design?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-difference-between-3ds-max-and-3ds-max-design) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "3ds Max Design version has an additional module for lighting analysis (Exposure) useful for architects, and - unlike the Max version - it does not include..."
- Title: [I need a 3d max exterior design](https://www.g2.com/discussions/i-need-a-3d-max-exterior-design) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "This tutorial succinctly summarizes the most effective way to convert an image to a 3d object in 3ds Max: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtkvRFMVsds"
- Title: [When will you implement TyFLow definitively?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/quando-implementerete-tyflow-definitavmente) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "It is still in beta. Unless Autodesk is able to buy out Tyson Ibele and TyFlow then it will always be a plugin you have to purchase (unless he makes it open..."

### Pencil2D

- Title: [2+55=](https://www.g2.com/discussions/49754-2-55) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "57"

### OpenToonz

No discussions available for this product.

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/3ds-max-design-vs-pencil2d-vs-opentoonz)