3ds Max alternatives for trade show booth designers
3ds Max is a long-standing standard for booth and stand design, but it needs a powerful PC, a license and months of practice. The main alternatives are Boothlane by EaseMyExpo (browser-based, built for booths and stands), SketchUp, Blender, Vectorworks Spotlight and free booth configurators.
| Tool | Runs on | Learning curve | Built for booths? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boothlane by EaseMyExpo | Browser, desktop and phone | Low | Yes — booths, stands, kiosks; events too | Exhibit houses, agencies and freelancers who want fast renders and files that open in 3ds Max |
| SketchUp | Desktop and browser | Medium | General 3D modelling | Designers who want simple, precise modelling |
| Blender | Desktop | High | General 3D suite | Designers who want a free, powerful tool and have time to learn |
| Vectorworks Spotlight | Desktop | High | Entertainment and exhibit design | Large studios doing technical production drawings |
| BoothDesign by Exphora | Browser | Very low | Yes — template booths | Exhibitors who want a free standard booth and a builder quote |
Keep 3ds Max in your workflow
You don't have to switch completely. Boothlane by EaseMyExpo imports 3ds Max files and exports OBJ and FBX, so a salesperson or account manager can make quick changes and renders in the browser while the 3ds Max team keeps the detailed production work.
Design your first booth
Runs in your browser. Imports from 3ds Max. Exports OBJ & FBX.
Start designingFrequently asked questions
What can I use instead of 3ds Max for booth design?
Boothlane by EaseMyExpo, SketchUp, Blender, Vectorworks Spotlight, or a free configurator like BoothDesign, depending on how custom the booth is and how much time you have to learn.
Is there a browser-based alternative to 3ds Max for trade show booths?
Yes. Boothlane by EaseMyExpo runs in the browser, is built for trade show booths and exhibition stands, and exports OBJ and FBX.
Can I open my 3ds Max booth designs in Boothlane by EaseMyExpo?
Yes. Import them, edit them and export them back out.