Comment on big toe by SaphireNishi

largely I think that's true when it comes to the rendering engines for those that don't know what to look for but in the end it also comes down to how material shaders are processed within the engines in particular those from nvidia for mental ray for instance.  just seems to be quite a bit more support and documentation for the shaders used in Maya.  Maya for instance has several SSS2 nodes available in latest release just not widely used although they're much better understood and how they're applied more so that what you'll get for max which by the way SSS2 shaders still have to be "unlocked" even in the latest release because there not as well supported or documented from nvidia for use in max.  just one example but there are many like this when comparing the two.  Bottom line, comes down to the shaders and the flexiblity you have with them and other nodes at the user level I find between Maya and Max.  Too many things in max are automated and selected for you like light maps and such where Maya gives you options for how things can be "hooked" together to offer that unique look, a true artist's tool in my opinion.  I can go on and on about the unique detail differences but I'll spare you and cut it off here.