3ds Max File

Use

You can import and view Max (.max) files. You can also save files to this format.

The .max file format was developed by Autodesk for the 3ds Max application. 3ds Max is a 3D modeling, animation, and rendering solution used to create 3D animation for game development, design visualization, feature film and television effects, and education.

Units

3ds Max utilizes “master units” when exporting .max files; 3ds Max automatically re-scales .max files if they were created using a differing unit of measurement than the current master unit measurement. For example, if a file is measured in centimeters, and the current master unit measurement is inches, the file is rescaled into inches.

The unit measurement cannot be determined or changed before or after importing. Therefore, when importing files of this nature, a Units Mismatch window is displayed.

The 3ds Max current master unit measurement is used as the units of measurement in SAP 3D Visual Enterprise applications for each imported file. For example, if you have two models with the first being a 1 cm x 1 cm x 1 cm cube called cube_cm.max, and the second being a 1 inch x 1 inch x 1 inch cube called cube_inches.max, the following is true:

  1. If the master unit measurement was inches when the models were exported, the unit of measurement in the SAP 3D Visual Enterprise application is inches

    • When you import cube_cm.max, the cube size will be 0.393701 x 0.393701 x 0.393701. (2.54*0.393701= 1)

    • When you import cube_inches.max, the cube size will be 1 x 1 x 1

  2. If the master unit measurement was centimeters when the models were exported, the unit of measurement in the SAP 3D Visual Enterprise application is centimeters:

    • When you import cube_cm.max, the cube size will be 1 x 1 x 1

    • When you import cube_inches.max, the cube size will be 2.54 x 2.54 x 2.54

Supported for Import and Export

  • Cameras

  • Associated materials imported as .mli files

Features

This format contains both import and export options. You can use them to customize the way in which your file is opened and saved.

Import Interface

Field

Functional Description

General

Defines the general settings

  • Apply Pivot Data to Nodes: Imports the pivot points set in the 3ds Max file into SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Author. Otherwise, SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Author resets the pivot to the bottom center of the object. In other words, pivot points that are associated with the 3ds Max file are translated as additional nodes in the scene hierarchy.

  • Convert NURBS to Mesh: Changes NURBS surfaces to a polygon mesh

  • Convert Patches to Mesh: Changes patch objects to a polygon mesh

  • Use Skin Modifiers: Imports all skin, weights, and bones information including any Character Studio information

  • Use Morph Modifiers: Imports only morpher modifier information. This option is not available if you select the Use Vertex Animation option.

  • Create Materials for Wire Colors: Imports all wire colors, and creates materials for each

  • Convert Instances to Unique: Converts all instanced objects to unique copies

  • Import Metadata: Imports all associated metadata

Animation

Defines animation settings

  • Import animation: Imports all animation currently in the scene

  • Perform Sampling: If selected, imports all animation modifier information, including morph information, by sampling the object matrix at the frame rate specified in the Sample Any Animation Every Frame option. If not selected, imports all animation information by parsing the TCB and LINEAR animation tracks. Note that any track that is not TCB or LINEAR is not parsed, and the object contains no animation. We recommend using the Perform Sampling option to import animation information.

  • Sample Any Animation Every [number] Frame: Determines the rate at which the vertex and/or matrix animation is sampled. That is, this rate is also used when the Sample Matrix Animation option is selected

  • Use Vertex Animation: Imports all animation modifier information, including morph information, by sampling the mesh vertices at the specified frame rate. This is helpful for meshes that are deformed with animated modifiers For example, Bend and Twist.

3ds Max DCOM

Sets the 3D Studio MAX specific options

  • Use Remote 3ds Max DCOM Server: Allows SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Author to use 3ds Max remotely from a server, to open 3ds Max files

  • Remote 3ds Max DCOM Server Name: Sets the name of the server in which 3ds Max is remotely used

  • Use Separate Instance of 3ds Max: Enables the instancing of 3ds MAX in the background to load .max files with SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Author

  • Use as Remote 3ds MAX DCOM Server: Allows other computers to use this computer as a remote 3ds Max DCOM server.

  • Re-Install 3ds Max DCOM Plug-In: Initializes the automatic installation process of the 3ds MAX DCOM

  • Use 3ds Max Version: Selects the version of 3ds Max with which to import the file

Export Interface

Field

Functional Description

General

Establishes the common settings

  • Triangulate: Converts all polygons, if polygon faces have three or more sides, to triangles

  • Export Normals: Exports all surface normals. Using this option creates larger files.

  • SubD Mode: Establishes subdivision control mesh object settings

    • Export Final Mesh: Creates a highly detailed and a high polygon count mesh

    • Export Control Mesh: Creates a low detailed, low polygon count mesh. This mesh is subdivisible.

  • Export Skins: Saves the skin information to the .max file. This option is only valid if there is skin information.

  • Export Lights: Saves the light objects in the file

  • Export Cameras: Saves the camera objects in the file

  • Export Default Camera: Saves the default camera in the file

  • Hide Dummy Nodes: Displays or hides dummy nodes

  • Group Mode: You can open and close groups to access the individual objects contained in them without dissolving the group. These commands maintain the integrity of the group:

    • Create as Opened: Temporarily opens the group so that you can access its member objects. While a group is open, you can treat the objects (or nested groups) as individuals. You can transform them, apply modifiers, and access their modifier stacks.

    • Create as Closed: Restores the group when you are finished working with the individual objects

    • Do not Create: Creates no groups

  • Convert Instances to Unique: Converts all instanced objects to unique copies

  • Export Metadata: Exports all associated metadata

3ds Max DCOM

Sets the 3D Studio MAX specific options

  • Use Remote 3ds Max DCOM Server: Allows SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Author to use 3ds Max remotely from a server

  • Remote 3ds Max DCOM Server Name: Sets the name of the server in which 3ds Max is remotely used

  • Use Separate Instance of 3ds Max: Enables the instancing of 3ds MAX in the background

  • Use as Remote 3ds MAX DCOM Server: Allows other computers to use this computer as a remote 3ds Max DCOM server

  • Re-Install 3ds Max DCOM Plug-In: Initializes the automatic installation process of the 3ds MAX DCOM

  • Use 3ds Max Version: Selects the version of 3ds Max with which to export the file