You can start 3ds Max from the command line in a Command Prompt window, or include the command line in a batch file. There are a number of switches that you can use on the command line.
To start 3ds Max from the command line:
You can use the following switches after 3dsmax on the command line.
| Switch | Effect |
|---|---|
| -c othercui | Starts program using othercui.cui instead of maxstart.cui. |
| -d | Causes Track View to use a double-buffered display, which is smoother than the single-buffered display but uses more system resources. |
| -g | Makes background white (instead of gray) in the following dialogs: Track View, RAM Player, Video Post, Loft, and Falloff Curve. Useful for screen captures when using a display mode less than 24 bits deep, for avoiding background patterns. |
| -h | Allows choice of graphics drivers: Nitrous, Direct3D, Open GL, and Software. |
| -i otherfile | Starts program using otherfile.ini instead of 3dsmax.ini. |
| -l | Loads the last .max file automatically. |
| -ma | Open maximized. |
| -mi | Open minimized. |
| -n | Disables network mode. |
| -p otherfile | Starts program using otherfile.ini instead of plugin.ini. Note: The otherfile.ini string should include the full path name.
|
| -q | Starts program "quietly," without the splash screen. |
| -s | Starts program in server mode. |
| -u | Opens the specified utility, such as MAXScript. For details, see Running Scripts from the Command Line. |
| -v | Loads a display driver. For details, see Using the −v Option. |
| -z | Writes version number to file. For details, see Using the −z Option. |
| anyscene | Starts 3ds Max and opens a file called anyscene.max. |
Use a space to separate the 3ds Max executable name from the command-line switch.
Examples:
3dsmax −l
3dsmax −i otherfile
3dsmax anyscene
3dsmax −c MaxCustom
You use the -v option to load a different display driver at startup. This option overrides the setting in 3dsmax.ini.
Follow the -v with one of these choices for the driver you want to use:
o: Loads the OpenGL driver.
d: Loads the Direct3D driver.
n: Loads a null driver.
For example, if you ordinarily run Nitrous using Direct3D 11 (the default display mode) and want to switch to Direct3D 9 for a session, you would type: 3dsmax −vx9
If you call product support, the representative might ask you to run this option to determine the exact version of your software. This option only writes to a file; it does not start 3ds Max.
Follow the -z with a file name:
3dsmax −z id.txt
The file (in this example, id.txt) is written to the 3ds Max root directory.