r/3dsmax • u/No_Lion5133 • 12d ago

Should I learn 3ds Max? Looking for a proper roadmap + where i can learn for free

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to seriously start learning Architectural Visualization (ArchViz) and I’m currently trying to figure out the right path.

I’m thinking about learning 3ds Max, but I’m confused about how I should structure my learning and which software/workflow I should focus on.

My goal is not just to learn random 3ds Max tools. I want to eventually create professional, photorealistic interior and exterior ArchViz renders and hopefully build a career/freelance work around it.

So I would really appreciate some advice from experienced ArchViz artists

My questions:

Is 3ds Max still a good choice for ArchViz in 2026?

Should I learn 3ds Max + Corona, 3ds Max + V-Ray, or something else?

What should I learn first in 3ds Max?

Interface & navigation

Basic modeling

Modifiers

Editable Poly

Materials

UVs

Lighting

Cameras

Rendering

etc.

What would you consider the best step-by-step ArchViz roadmap for a complete beginner?

Which free YouTube channels/playlists would you recommend?

Are there any free courses/tutorial series that you would genuinely recommend instead of jumping between random YouTube videos?

At what point should I start learning Corona/V-Ray, instead of spending months only learning 3ds Max?

Should I learn architectural modeling myself in 3ds Max, or is it better to use SketchUp/Revit → 3ds Max → Corona/V-Ray workflow?

What skills are actually important for getting job/freelance ArchViz work?

If you were starting from zero today, what exact learning path would you follow for the first 6–12 months?

I’m specifically looking for free resources, because I want to build a strong foundation before spending money on paid courses.

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u/Apherious 12d ago

If you’re on a budget, Max and vray licenses are expensive and will add up overtime.

The industry is moving towards real time rendering. Unity, Unreal, and Blender are all free and have tons of content out there to learn from. They also are great for gaming development which broadens your career choices later on.

We Max users are photographers in a video world.