{
 "categories": [
  "3d-modeling",
  "design",
  "engineering"
 ],
 "deployment": "desktop",
 "evidence": [
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "homepage",
   "note": "Autodesk's 2026 3ds Max Installation help presents Autodesk 3ds Max as a Windows-installable desktop product with an optional SDK, Arnold renderer, and Enterprise or Token Flex network licensing.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/3DSMAS-Install/files/GUID-311F64B7-9E19-42C6-B449-446C68CAD9DF.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "vendor",
   "note": "The installation path, Autodesk Desktop App, Autodesk Material Library, and Autodesk 3ds Max SDK identify the product as Autodesk 3ds Max.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/3DSMAS-Install/files/GUID-311F64B7-9E19-42C6-B449-446C68CAD9DF.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "deployment",
   "note": "Autodesk documents install of 3ds Max on a single host or a network server, with multiple versions installable side by side.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/3DSMAS-Install/files/GUID-311F64B7-9E19-42C6-B449-446C68CAD9DF.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "platforms",
   "note": "The documented default install path is C:\\Program Files\\Autodesk\\3ds Max. No macOS or Linux install path is given on that page.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/3DSMAS-Install/files/GUID-311F64B7-9E19-42C6-B449-446C68CAD9DF.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "license",
   "note": "Installation help lists Network License Manager and additional deployment steps for Enterprise or Token Flex customers. No unrestricted public free product is offered on that page.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/3DSMAS-Install/files/GUID-311F64B7-9E19-42C6-B449-446C68CAD9DF.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "status",
   "note": "Autodesk publishes current 2026 English 3ds Max Batch documentation for an active product line.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/3DSMax-Batch/files/GUID-48A78515-C24B-4E46-AC5F-884FBCF40D59.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.api.exists",
   "note": "Autodesk documents MAXScript as the built-in scripting language of Autodesk 3ds Max.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2024/ENU/MAXScript-Help/files/MAXScript-Introduction/GUID-41315287-B2FA-4496-BDB6-28F8D38D2213.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.api.kinds[0]",
   "note": "MAXScript is documented as the native language for scripting modeling, animation, materials, rendering, utilities, macroscripts, plug-ins, import/export, controllers, and batch tools.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2024/ENU/MAXScript-Help/files/MAXScript-Introduction/GUID-41315287-B2FA-4496-BDB6-28F8D38D2213.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.api.kinds[1]",
   "note": "Autodesk documents the pymxs module, including pymxs.runtime, as the Python binding to the MAXScript runtime.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/MAXDEV-Python/files/using_pymxs/MAXDEV_Python_using_pymxs_pymxs_module_html.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.api.kinds[2]",
   "note": "Autodesk publishes the 3ds Max SDK C++ API reference for all public classes used to create plug-ins.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/MAXDEV-CPP-API-REF/index.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.api.coverage",
   "note": "Autodesk states that MAXScript can script most aspects of the program's use, including modeling, animation, materials, and rendering, and can extend or replace UI for objects, modifiers, materials, and effects. That is in-process product coverage, not a hosted SaaS REST catalog.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2024/ENU/MAXScript-Help/files/MAXScript-Introduction/GUID-41315287-B2FA-4496-BDB6-28F8D38D2213.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.api.docs",
   "note": "Opened Autodesk's What is MAXScript? page as the official MAXScript capability overview used as this record's API docs URL.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2024/ENU/MAXScript-Help/files/MAXScript-Introduction/GUID-41315287-B2FA-4496-BDB6-28F8D38D2213.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.sdk.exists",
   "note": "The 2026 installer lists Autodesk 3ds Max SDK as an optional product component.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/3DSMAS-Install/files/GUID-311F64B7-9E19-42C6-B449-446C68CAD9DF.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.sdk.official",
   "note": "The C++ API reference is vendor-published 3ds Max Developer Help.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/MAXDEV-CPP-API-REF/index.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.sdk.languages[0]",
   "note": "pymxs is the official Python API that exposes MAXScript runtime symbols to Python scripts.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/MAXDEV-Python/files/using_pymxs/MAXDEV_Python_using_pymxs_pymxs_module_html.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.sdk.languages[1]",
   "note": "The C++ API reference is the official 3ds Max SDK language surface for plug-ins.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/MAXDEV-CPP-API-REF/index.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.cli.exists",
   "note": "Autodesk documents 3dsmaxbatch.exe as the official command-line host that loads an optional scene, runs a MAXScript or Python file, and exits.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/3DSMax-Batch/files/GUID-48A78515-C24B-4E46-AC5F-884FBCF40D59.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.extensibility.scripting[0]",
   "note": "The 2026 Accessing MAXScript page documents the Scripting Listener, Mini Listener, and Command-panel MAXScript utility as in-product MAXScript access.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/MAXScript-Help/files/Learning-MAXScript/Getting-Started/GUID-B51DE21E-DD2E-4A06-A7FD-F63C788EAC3D.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.extensibility.scripting[1]",
   "note": "The same page states that the Scripting Listener also supports Python mode and points to the 3ds Max Python API Help.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/MAXScript-Help/files/Learning-MAXScript/Getting-Started/GUID-B51DE21E-DD2E-4A06-A7FD-F63C788EAC3D.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.extensibility.scripting[2]",
   "note": "Autodesk documents packaging scripts as macro scripts installed as toolbar buttons, menu items, or keyboard shortcuts.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2024/ENU/MAXScript-Help/files/MAXScript-Introduction/GUID-41315287-B2FA-4496-BDB6-28F8D38D2213.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.data_access.export[0]",
   "note": "Command-line MAXScript examples call loadMaxFile and operate on .max scene files.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2025/ENU/3DSMax-Basics/files/GUID-BCB04DEC-7967-4091-B980-638CFDFE47EC.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.data_access.export[1]",
   "note": "The same command-line examples render camera views to BMP files via MAXScript render outputFile.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2025/ENU/3DSMax-Basics/files/GUID-BCB04DEC-7967-4091-B980-638CFDFE47EC.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.data_access.import[0]",
   "note": "loadMaxFile is the documented command-line and script path for opening .max scenes.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2025/ENU/3DSMax-Basics/files/GUID-BCB04DEC-7967-4091-B980-638CFDFE47EC.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.data_access.import[1]",
   "note": "Autodesk installs Revit Interoperability on demand the first time a Revit model is imported.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/3DSMAS-Install/files/GUID-311F64B7-9E19-42C6-B449-446C68CAD9DF.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.data_access.import[2]",
   "note": "Autodesk installs Inventor Interoperability on demand the first time an Inventor model is imported.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/3DSMAS-Install/files/GUID-311F64B7-9E19-42C6-B449-446C68CAD9DF.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "modalities.agent_docs.llms_txt",
   "note": "Opened https://www.autodesk.com/llms.txt; the URL returned 404. That is not a first-party agent documentation index.",
   "source": "https://www.autodesk.com/llms.txt",
   "tier": "scraped"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "verdict.scores.api",
   "note": "Official MAXScript, pymxs, and C++ APIs cover in-product automation of most 3ds Max workflows and plug-ins. The path is licensed Windows desktop software, not a hosted REST service, which keeps it strong but not a multi-tenant cloud contract.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2024/ENU/MAXScript-Help/files/MAXScript-Introduction/GUID-41315287-B2FA-4496-BDB6-28F8D38D2213.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "verdict.scores.cli",
   "note": "3dsmaxbatch is official, runs MAXScript or Python, accepts scene and typed arguments, and reports exit codes. Autodesk does not present it as a general account-operations CLI with a documented structured-output contract.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/3DSMax-Batch/files/GUID-48A78515-C24B-4E46-AC5F-884FBCF40D59.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "freshness.watch[0].url",
   "note": "Opened and verified as Autodesk's What is MAXScript? capability list, including modeling, batch tools, OLE Automation, and action recording.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2024/ENU/MAXScript-Help/files/MAXScript-Introduction/GUID-41315287-B2FA-4496-BDB6-28F8D38D2213.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "freshness.watch[1].url",
   "note": "Opened and verified as the current 2026 pymxs module reference, including pymxs.runtime.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/MAXDEV-Python/files/using_pymxs/MAXDEV_Python_using_pymxs_pymxs_module_html.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "freshness.watch[2].url",
   "note": "Opened and verified as the current 2026 3ds Max SDK C++ API reference index.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/MAXDEV-CPP-API-REF/index.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-09-11",
   "fact": "freshness.watch[3].url",
   "note": "Opened and verified as the current Using 3ds Max Batch page for 3dsmaxbatch.exe.",
   "source": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/3DSMax-Batch/files/GUID-48A78515-C24B-4E46-AC5F-884FBCF40D59.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  }
 ],
 "freshness": {
  "last_verified": "2026-09-11",
  "volatility": "medium",
  "watch": [
   {
    "type": "docs",
    "url": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2024/ENU/MAXScript-Help/files/MAXScript-Introduction/GUID-41315287-B2FA-4496-BDB6-28F8D38D2213.html"
   },
   {
    "type": "docs",
    "url": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/MAXDEV-Python/files/using_pymxs/MAXDEV_Python_using_pymxs_pymxs_module_html.html"
   },
   {
    "type": "sdk",
    "url": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/MAXDEV-CPP-API-REF/index.html"
   },
   {
    "type": "docs",
    "url": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/3DSMax-Batch/files/GUID-48A78515-C24B-4E46-AC5F-884FBCF40D59.htm"
   }
  ]
 },
 "homepage": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2026/ENU/3DSMAS-Install/files/GUID-311F64B7-9E19-42C6-B449-446C68CAD9DF.htm",
 "id": "autodesk-3ds-max",
 "license": "commercial",
 "modalities": {
  "agent_docs": {
   "llms_txt": false
  },
  "api": {
   "auth": [],
   "coverage": "full",
   "docs": "https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2024/ENU/MAXScript-Help/files/MAXScript-Introduction/GUID-41315287-B2FA-4496-BDB6-28F8D38D2213.html",
   "exists": true,
   "kinds": [
    "maxscript",
    "python",
    "cpp"
   ]
  },
  "cli": {
   "exists": true
  },
  "computer_use": {
   "issues": [],
   "viability": "unknown"
  },
  "data_access": {
   "export": [
    "max",
    "bmp"
   ],
   "import": [
    "max",
    "revit",
    "inventor"
   ]
  },
  "extensibility": {
   "scripting": [
    "maxscript",
    "python",
    "macroscripts"
   ],
   "webhooks": "unknown"
  },
  "integrations": {
   "make": "unknown",
   "n8n": "unknown",
   "power_automate": "unknown",
   "zapier": "unknown"
  },
  "mcp": {
   "first_party": "unknown",
   "third_party": [],
   "verdict": "unknown"
  },
  "rpa": {
   "drivability": "unknown",
   "notes": "No repeatable UI probe was run. MAXScript, pymxs, the C++ SDK, and 3dsmaxbatch cover scene and plugin work without visually driving the viewport. Computer-use viability is not inferred from the desktop UI.\n",
   "ui_stack": [
    "desktop-native"
   ],
   "vendor_support": []
  },
  "sdk": {
   "exists": true,
   "languages": [
    "python",
    "cpp"
   ],
   "official": true
  }
 },
 "name": "Autodesk 3ds Max",
 "platforms": [
  "windows"
 ],
 "related": {
  "alternatives": [
   "autodesk-maya"
  ],
  "our_products": []
 },
 "schema_version": 1,
 "score_version": 1,
 "status": "active",
 "vendor": "Autodesk",
 "verdict": {
  "best_path": "api",
  "scores": {
   "api": 8,
   "cli": 6,
   "computer_use": null,
   "integrations": null,
   "mcp": null,
   "overall": 8,
   "rpa": null
  },
  "summary": "Autodesk 3ds Max is automatable today through first-party MAXScript, Python pymxs, and the C++ SDK inside a licensed Windows desktop session. This record is 3ds Max, not Maya, Inventor, Fusion, or Blender. Autodesk documents MAXScript as the built-in language that can script most aspects of modeling, animation, materials, and rendering; control the Listener; package utilities, macroscripts, and scripted plug-ins; build custom import and export tools; write procedural controllers; run batch-rendering scripts; expose OLE Automation; and record actions as MAXScript. The 2026 Python help documents pymxs.runtime as the MAXScript runtime for Python, including scene-object construction and undo. The 2026 C++ API reference documents all public SDK classes for plug-ins. 3dsmaxbatch.exe runs MAXScript or Python and then exits, with scene-file, string, and value arguments and documented exit codes. Installation help places the product at C:\\Program Files\\Autodesk\\3ds Max, lists the optional Autodesk 3ds Max SDK, and names Enterprise and Token Flex licensing. These surfaces are local and license-gated; they are not a multi-tenant Autodesk cloud REST catalog. First-party MCP ownership is not established. iPaaS connectors were not opened. Computer-use viability is unassessed. API scores 8 and is the best path because MAXScript, Python, and C++ cover the product object model. 3dsmaxbatch scores 6 as an official batch interpreter rather than a general operations CLI.\n"
 }
}