Before there was Blender, before 3D creation tools were widely accessible, there was GMAX—a compact, free version of 3ds Max released in the early 2000s. Though officially unsupported today, GMAX remains a revered tool in the There.com community and beyond, especially among long-time creators and those who helped shape the immersive worlds we know and love.

GMAX may be considered “retired” by modern standards, but it continues to live on through the creativity and ingenuity of its users. Some in the community have found ways to still install and operate GMAX on modern systems, though due to copyright limitations, Thumdar does not provide installation instructions, activation cracks, or links to unofficial software. What you do on your own time is your business—but we won’t host or endorse unauthorized redistribution of proprietary tools.

That said, GMAX deserves its place in Thumdar’s archive of essential creation tools. It was—and for many, still is—a foundation for object creation, terrain development, and skute modeling in There.com. Despite its age, GMAX has stood the test of time. It’s still fully capable of producing quality 3D work for legacy platforms.

One standout figure in this space is Francis7, a well-respected There.com user known for his deep knowledge of GMAX and his extensive GMAX tutorials. His tutorial series is now being preserved and hosted on Virtual Vikki’s YouTube channel and remains an invaluable guide for creators new and old.

👉 Watch the GMAX Tutorial Playlist on YouTube

While Blender is now the go-to tool of choice (and we recommend it for its modern capabilities, active development, and flexibility), GMAX played a critical role in the evolution of There.com and other early metaverse platforms. For historical context, for nostalgia, or even for continued use, GMAX remains a respected part of the builder’s toolkit.

We’ll continue to celebrate tools—new and old—that empower creators across the metaverse. And while we embrace the future, we don’t forget the past.