3ds Max CAT
The facts below are what the maker publishes about 3ds Max CAT, checked and dated. Our editors have not written about it yet.
Plans and prices
From 3ds Max CAT's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| 3ds Max monthly subscription | $255 a month | Includes CAT as a 3ds Max feature · Monthly |
| 3ds Max annual subscription | $2,010 a year | Includes CAT as a 3ds Max feature · Annually |
| 3ds Max three-year subscription | $6,025 a year | Includes CAT as a 3ds Max feature · Every three years |
The facts
Each one read from 3ds Max CAT's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Animation editing
- CAT provides a non-linear, layer-based animation system with absolute and adjustment layers for editing animation.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Character rigging
- CAT rigs support customizable characters, including multi-legged and non-humanoid characters.checked 7 Oct 2026
- FBX interoperability
- The 3ds Max FBX plug-in can export a CAT rig as an HIK Skeleton Definition or, if that option is disabled, as a skeleton with standard bones.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Autodesk describes 3ds Max as used by 3D generalists, modelers, animators, and look development artists in games, film and TV, and design visualization.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Motion capture
- CAT’s Clip Manager can load BVH, HTR, and BIP motion-capture data.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Muscle simulation
- CAT includes muscle and muscle strand objects for simulating character musculature.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Procedural motion
- CATMotion generates motion cycles that adapt to a rig’s velocity and direction, including over uneven surfaces without sliding footsteps.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Scripting
- CAT objects and controllers can be accessed through MAXScript, while CAT itself is not exposed in the public 3ds Max SDK.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Security
- Autodesk describes secure software development, continuous vulnerability assessment, and risk mitigation as core security practices; this page does not specify CAT-specific certifications.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Subscription support
- Autodesk says 3ds Max subscription and Flex purchases include 8x5 support, single sign-on, and usage reporting.checked 7 Oct 2026
- What it is
- CAT is a character animation toolkit built into 3ds Max for creating procedural character animations and rigs.checked 7 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Software platform
- Autodesk states that 3ds Max runs on Microsoft Windows 10 and Windows 11.checked 7 Oct 2026
Money
- Trial
- Autodesk offers a free 30-day trial of 3ds Max.checked 7 Oct 2026
Alternatives to 3ds Max CAT
- 1

Houdini
Free planWindowsmacOSLinux7.6From $95 a year - 2

Mixos Mold
Free planAndroidiOSWebLinux7.5From $8.99 a month - 3
Contour Rig Tools
Free planAPILinuxmacOSWindows7.4From $40 a month - 4

Rigify
Free planOpen sourceAPILinuxmacOSWindows7.2Free plan - 5
Reallusion Character Creator
Windows7.0From $399 a year - 6
Autodesk Maya
macOSLinux6.9
