Despite the absence of new features in the update, several existing tools underwent improvements in workflow and performance, with some enhancements being quite significant.
One such tool is the Boolean modifier introduced in 3ds Max 2024. Autodesk claims that processing Boolean operations on meshes is now "35% faster." Additionally, the modifier now supports original meshes with coplanar faces. Boolean sources now retain their original pivot points, facilitating their rearrangement, and Boolean operations on OpenVDB now preserve animation parameters.

The performance of some other key modifiers has been enhanced: Push operates "up to 1.5 times faster," Relax and XForm work "up to 1.7 times faster," and Volume Select functions "up to 10 times faster." Additionally, Volume Select now supports material ID and smoothing group values animation.

The Data Channel modifier has seen several enhancements in its workflow, including the ability to utilize MAXScript scripting for data channel processing. Additionally, improvements have been made to the performance of retopology tools: the underlying algorithm of Autodesk ReForm has been updated, allowing for a processing speed increase of "up to 30%."
Regarding UV unwrapping, the Unfold3D Peel, Pack, and Relax tools within the Unwrap UVW Modifier now take into account the current UV selection.

For animators, the "Assign Controller" now adjusts its size according to panel dimensions, and other improvements include an expanded context menu. Bugs have been fixed and minor workflow enhancements have been introduced in Biped and CAT.
The OCIO Color Management system, which was introduced in 3ds Max 2024 as a technological preview, has now officially received several workflow improvements of its own.
Additionally, 3ds Max no longer saves scenes with empty animation layers, Note Tracks, or Note Keys, reducing file sizes.
External to the core software, plugins like USD and Arnold have also been updated. USD for 3ds Max 0.5 marks a significant update, introducing MaterialX support and enabling the export of facial animation created using the Morpher modifier in 3ds Max as blend shapes. MAXtoA 5.6.5.1 includes support for the new features in Arnold 7.2.4.

3ds Max 2024.2 is available for Windows 10 and later versions. The software is exclusively available through subscription. The subscription cost is $235 per month or $1875 annually.

In many countries, artists earning less than $100,000 annually and working on projects valued at less than $100,000 per year are eligible for an Indie subscription, now priced at $305 per year.