To optimize the user experience for both entertainment and design customers, Autodesk now provides two software solutions: Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2011 and Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design 2011 software.

Autodesk 3ds Max 2011 reinforces the software's position as an industry-leading 3D modeling, animation, and rendering solution for design professionals working in the games, film, and broadcasting industries.

Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2011, on the other hand, represents a major advance for design creativity and productivity, offering a complete version of the award-winning 3ds Max specifically tailored to architects, designers, and visualization specialists. If you work primarily in the entertainment industry and require the software developer toolkit (SDK) for pipeline integration or to write your own custom plug-ins, choose 3ds Max 2010. 3ds Max includes all the features of 3ds Max Design, with the exception of Exposure™ lighting analysis. If you work primarily in the architecture, civil engineering, or manufacturing sectors, and you do not need to develop your own plug-ins using the SDK, choose 3ds Max Design. It has all the features of 3ds Max 2011 except the SDK, and it includes Exposure lighting analysis, which provides invaluable assistance in attaining LEED® 8.1 certification.