Topics in this section
- Importing Geometry
In addition to using the Import command on the Application menu, you can import geometry by dragging and dropping. If the scene to which you’re importing already contains geometry, 3ds Max usually asks whether you want to merge the imported geometry with the existing scene, or replace the scene entirely. - Body Objects
3ds Max creates Body Objects when you import certain file formats, such as SAT files. - Adobe Illustrator Files
The topics in this section describe how to share files with Adobe Illustrator. - Alembic (ABC) Files
Alembic is a data format that saves geometry and animation data. - Alias and Showcase (WIRE and APF) Files
3ds Max can import the WIRE format from Alias
and other applications, as well as the comparable APF (Autodesk Packet File) format used by Autodesk Showcase and other applications. You can also export to the WIRE format. - Exporting to ASCII
When you choose ASCII Scene Export (*.ase) as the Save As type, the exported file is an ASCII representation of your scene. A dialog lets you specify which scene components are included, and how they're output. This is helpful if you are writing a program that requires you to parse the ASCII file. - CATIA V4 (MODEL, DLV4, DLV3, DLV, EXP, SESSION, MDL) Files
You can import CATIA V4 files as 3ds Max Body Objects. - CATIA V5 (CATPRODUCT, CATPART) Files
You can import CATIA V5 files as 3ds Max Body Objects. - AutoCAD (DWG) Files
The topics in this section describe how to share files with AutoCAD and other programs that use the DWG format. - AutoCAD Interchange (DXF) Files
DXF files are used to import and export objects to and from AutoCAD and other programs that support this file format. Most commonly, DXF files are used to import and export modeling data to and from CAD programs that have support for DXF but not DWG files. The topics in this section describe how to work with the DXF format. - 3D DWF Files
With 3D DWF publishing, you can export Design Web Format™ (.DWF™) files of your three-dimensional models with nearly the same visual fidelity as in rendered scenes. DWF files are highly compressed. You can share them easily with team members who might not have 3ds Max. - Autodesk Inventor (IPT, IAM) Files
IPT and IAM are the native Autodesk Inventor® file formats for parts (IPT) and assemblies (IAM). You can import both file formats into 3ds Max. - Autodesk Revit (RVT) Files
In addition to using the File Link Manager, you can import RVT files into 3ds Max. - FBX Files: Data Sharing with Maya, MotionBuilder, Revit, Softimage, and Toxik/Composite
FBX is the file format native to Autodesk MotionBuilder, a system used for the creation, editing, and blending of motion capture and keyframe animation. It is also the file format to use for sharing data with Autodesk Revit Architecture. You can import and export files in this format with 3ds Max. - IGES Files
You can import and export IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) files with 3ds Max. - JT Open Program (JT) Files
You can import JT files as 3ds Max Body Objects. - LandXML (XML, DEM) Files
The topics in this section describe how to use land development data with 3ds Max. Land data typically comes from civil engineering projects, and can use a few different file formats. - Motion Analysis Files (HTR/HTR2, TRC)
The topics in this section describe how to use motion-capture files in the HTR (Hierarchical Translation-Rotation) and TRC formats. - OpenFlight (FLT) Files
The OpenFlight® format is commonly used in visual-simulation systems. You can import and export OpenFlight files. With the Flight Studio® utility, you can also create and edit objects and attributes in OpenFlight files. - Pro/ENGINEER (PRT, ASM) Files
You can import Pro/ENGINEER files as 3ds Max Body Objects. - SAT Files
The SAT-format feature handles import and export precise geometric boundary representation (BREP) data, also known as ACIS solids, for trimmed surfaces, solids models and assemblies as 3ds Max Body Objects. - Exporting to Shockwave 3D
You can set up 3D scenes and animations in 3ds Max, and then export them in Shockwave 3D (W3D) format for use in interactive presentations in Adobe Director. To start this process, choose Application menu Export, and choose Shockwave 3D Scene Export (*.W3D) as the file type. Choosing this format opens the Shockwave 3D Scene Export Options dialog. - Google SketchUp (SKP) Files
The SketchUp importer enables direct import of scene files from Google™ SketchUp. - SolidWorks (SLDPRT, SLDASM) Files
You can import SolidWorks files as 3ds Max Body Objects. - STEP (STP, STEP) Files
You can import STEP files as 3ds Max Body Objects. - Stereolithography (STL) Files
The topics in this section describe how to import and export stereolithography (STL) files. - 3D Studio Mesh (3DS, PRJ) Files
The topics in this section describe how to work with mesh files from 3D Studio ® . - Importing SHP Files
SHP is the 3D Studio (DOS) shape file format. You can import these files into 3ds Max. - UG-NX (PRT) Files
You can import NX files as 3ds Max Body Objects. - VIZ Render (DRF) Files
DRF is the file format for VIZ Render, a rendering tool formerly included with AutoCAD Architecture. The DRF file type is similar to MAX files from previous versions of Autodesk VIZ. - VRML Files
The topics in this section describe how to work with VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) files in 3ds Max. - Wavefront (OBJ) Files
3ds Max can import and export the text-based (ASCII) Wavefront format OBJ. An OBJ file contains geometry descriptions, while the associated MTL file format contains material descriptions.
Parent topic: Data Exchange