Basics

This section describes basics of using 3ds Max: the nuts and bolts details that it is useful to know.

“Little Village Far, Far Away”

Topics in this section

Startup Files and Defaults
When you start 3ds Max, several auxiliary files load, setting things like program defaults and UI layout. You can even create a scene, named maxstart.max, that automatically loads when you start or reset 3ds Max. In some cases, 3ds Max updates files when you change settings and when you quit 3ds Max.
The Initialization File
The file 3ds Max uses to store settings between sessions is named 3dsmax.ini. In most cases, you don’t need to access this file directly. To find it, if necessary, use the Windows Search function.
Backing Up and Archiving Scenes
You should regularly back up and archive your work. One convenient method is to save incremental copies of your scenes. This method creates a history of your work process.
Crash Recovery System
If 3ds Max encounters an unexpected crash, it attempts to recover and save the file currently in memory. This is fairly reliable, but it does not always work: the recovered scene could be damaged during the crash. The recovered file is stored in the configured Auto Backup path. It is saved as "<filename>_recover.max" in this path. It is also placed in the INI file as the most recently used file in the Application menu. This makes it easy to return to the file, if you choose to do so.
Viewing and Navigating 3D Space
Everything in 3ds Max is located in a three-dimensional world that you view through one or more viewports . You have a variety of options for visualizing this enormous stage-like space, from the tiniest details to the full extent of your scene.
Selecting Objects
In most cases, before you can perform an action on an object or objects in your scene, you must first select them. Thus, the act of selection is an essential part of the modeling and animation process.
Moving, Rotating, and Scaling Objects
To change an object’s position, orientation, or scale, click one of the three transform buttons on the main toolbar or choose a transform from a shortcut menu. Apply the transform to a selected object using the mouse, the status bar Coordinate Display fields, a type-in dialog, or any combination of the above.
Creating Copies, Instances, and References
With 3ds Max, you can quickly create multiple versions of one or more selected objects during a transform operation.
Precision and Drawing Aids
3ds Max provides tools that give you control over the positioning and alignment of objects in 3D space.
Object Properties
The Object Properties dialog, available from the Edit and right-click menus, lets you view and edit parameters for how selected objects behave in viewports and renderings.
List of Available Utilities
The table of contents for this help lists utilities alongside the features they support. This topic provides a consolidated, alphabetical list.
Interface Overview
The 3ds Max and 3ds Max Design window typically shows one or more 3D viewports that show your modeling work. The viewports are surrounded by various controls.