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Autodesk MotionBuilder
What Autodesk MotionBuilder is
Autodesk MotionBuilder is 3D character animation software for capturing, editing, and playing back complex animations. Its real-time character engine generates movement for biped and human skeletons, while editing tools let animators change a character’s position and orientation. The listed capabilities include motion capture, motion retargeting, facial animation, animation retargeting, and character retargeting. Autodesk describes MotionBuilder as a tool used by professional animation and game studios, and positions it to complement Maya and 3ds Max. It exchanges data through Autodesk FBX with applications that support FBX.
MotionBuilder is available for Linux and Windows. Autodesk offers a free 30-day trial, but there is no free plan. Subscription terms include annual and three-year options; the listed subscription allows installation on up to three computers or devices, with one named user working on one computer at a time. A current subscription also includes the current version and three previous versions. Minimum hardware includes a 64-bit Intel or AMD multi-core processor, 8 GB RAM, 4 GB free disk space, and a three-button mouse. Autodesk lists 24x7 online support options and resources.
Who it suits
MotionBuilder suits professional animation and game studios working with 3D character animation, motion capture, retargeting, or facial animation. It may fit teams already using Maya, 3ds Max, or applications that exchange data through FBX.
What it does well
- Real-time movement generation for biped or human skeletons
- Includes motion capture, retargeting, and facial animation capabilities
- Exchanges data through Autodesk FBX
- Subscription includes three previous versions
- Autodesk lists 24x7 online support options
What to know first
- No free plan is available
- The free trial lasts 30 days
- Minimum hardware includes 8 GB RAM and 4 GB free disk space
Limits
There is no free plan; the trial lasts 30 days. A subscription permits installation on up to three devices, but only the named user can use it on one computer at a time.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Annual subscription | — | On request |
| Annual subscription | — | On request |
| 3-year subscription | — | On request |
| 3-year subscription | — | On request |
| MotionBuilder free trial | 30-day trial | Free |
| MotionBuilder 2025 | annual · MotionBuilder 2025 desktop license | $2,145 a year |
| Media & Entertainment Collection | annual · Maya · 3ds Max · Arnold · MotionBuilder · other media tools | $2,790 a year |
| MotionBuilder subscription | Annual subscription; Autodesk’s page did not display the price and showed a placeholder. · Install up to 3 computers or devices · one named user at a time · includes current version and 3 previous versions | On request |
As autodesk.com lists them, read 21 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Autodesk MotionBuilder product page
- Choose a free 30-day trial or a subscription option
- Install on Windows or Linux
- Check that your system meets the listed operating system and hardware requirements
Verdict
Choose MotionBuilder if your animation or game workflow needs character animation tools and FBX exchange with compatible applications. Look elsewhere if you need a free plan or if the stated hardware requirements do not suit your setup.
Questions
Is there a free plan?
No. Autodesk offers a free 30-day trial instead.
What platforms does MotionBuilder support?
MotionBuilder is available for Linux and Windows. MotionBuilder 2026 lists support for Windows 10 version 1809 or higher, Windows 11, specified Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions, and specified Rocky Linux versions.
How much does a subscription cost?
Prices are not displayed for the annual subscription, three-year subscription, or MotionBuilder subscription.
Can MotionBuilder work with Maya and 3ds Max?
It is designed to complement Maya and 3ds Max. It exchanges data through Autodesk FBX with applications that support FBX.
What does a subscription include?
A current subscription includes the current version and access to install and use the three previous versions. It allows installation on up to three computers or devices for one named user, on one computer at a time.
Who makes MotionBuilder?
Autodesk makes MotionBuilder. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Facts from Autodesk MotionBuilder's own pages
- 2025 API additions
- The 2025 SDK added time-mark locking methods, an exact-frame test, tree and startup callbacks, and a window-tool registration macro. · help.autodesk.com, 15 Oct 2026
- 2025 build dependencies
- MotionBuilder 2025 SDK development requires Windows 10 or later with Visual Studio 2022+, or RHEL 8.6/Rocky Linux 8.6+ with gcc-toolset-11+, plus CMake, Ninja, Python 3.11.4 and FBX SDK 2020.3.5. · help.autodesk.com, 15 Oct 2026
- 2025 USD feature
- MotionBuilder 2025 added an OpenUSD stage proxy and Python helpers for interacting with USD stages. · help.autodesk.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Animation editing
- Manipulation tools let users change a character’s position and orientation to create or alter animation. · autodesk.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Autodesk integrations
- Autodesk positions MotionBuilder as a companion to Maya, 3ds Max and other FBX-capable DirectConnect applications. · help.autodesk.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Company
- Autodesk was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. · autodesk.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Company founding
- LinkedIn lists Autodesk as founded in 1982. · linkedin.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Company headquarters
- LinkedIn lists Autodesk headquarters in San Francisco, California. · linkedin.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Company size
- LinkedIn lists Autodesk as having more than 10,000 employees worldwide. · linkedin.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Embedded Python
- The SDK documentation lists Python 3.7.7 and Python 2.7.11 compatibility, with separate mobupy and mobupy27 interpreters. · help.autodesk.com, 15 Oct 2026
- FBX interoperability
- The application natively supports Autodesk FBX for exchanging 3D data with compatible production software. · help.autodesk.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- No · autodesk.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Hardware requirements
- Minimum hardware includes a 64-bit Intel or AMD multicore CPU, 8 GB RAM, 4 GB free disk space and a three-button mouse; Autodesk recommends 16 GB or more RAM. · autodesk.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Help and support
- The official help hub provides interface guidance, file management, tutorials, keyboard shortcuts, customization help, developer help and release notes. · help.autodesk.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Independent review limitation
- Creative Bloq reported that the USD plugin could load and animate static stages but could not convert USD data into native MotionBuilder data. · creativebloq.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Independent review verdict
- Creative Bloq praised USD support, workflow speed and dedicated tools but said the update was minor and lacked Maya features. · creativebloq.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Installation model
- Autodesk documents installation on a single host or network server and allows multiple MotionBuilder versions to coexist. · help.autodesk.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- MotionBuilder is designed to complement Maya and 3ds Max and exchanges data through Autodesk FBX with applications that support FBX. · help.autodesk.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Autodesk says professional animation and game studios use MotionBuilder to produce high-quality animations. · autodesk.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Language support
- The installation documentation says MotionBuilder supports only English. · help.autodesk.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: cost
- G2 reviewers call the software expensive and say project costs can be difficult for smaller organizations. · g2.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: crashes
- G2 reviewers report random crashes and force-closes, including while using character creation and constraints. · g2.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: interface
- G2 reviewers criticize the dated, difficult-to-read interface and limited viewport layout flexibility. · g2.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: learning curve
- G2 reviewers describe MotionBuilder as daunting or very complex and ask for stronger learning resources. · g2.com, 15 Oct 2026
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