When creating a custom suite workflow that exports a building model to 3ds Max Design, define settings carefully to achieve the desired results.
File Linking
Sets the behavior for links between the source and target documents.
With file linking, links or references are established between the design data associated with objects in the building model and the object in the target file. This link can be updated, modified or replaced. When the building model changes, modifications to properties such as materials or textures can be updated in the target file.
Changes in the target file do not affect the building model.
Options
- Target scene. Specifies whether to select a 3ds Max Design scene for each workflow instance, or whether the workflow always targets a new scene.
- Ask the user. When you run this workflow, displays a dialog box that prompts you to select a new or existing scene as a target.
- Target a new 3ds Max scene file. Creates a new 3ds Max Design file to receive the model.
- Existing link found with Target scene. Specifies how existing links to the building model are handled by the workflow.
- Ask the user. When you run this workflow, displays a dialog box where you can select whether to reload, detach and recreate, or keep and recreate existing links to the building model.
- Always. Specifies how links to the building model are always handled in this workflow.
- Reload the source file. Always reloads any links to the building model that are found in the target scene.
- Detach, and create a new link. Always detaches and recreates any links to the building model that are found in the target scene. Use this option to remove any edits (such as materials applications or modifiers) that have been applied to the linked objects.
- Keep, and add a new link instance. Always retains links to the building model and adds a new link to the same file.
- Materials. Specifies how the workflow handles materials assignments.
- Use the Max scene material definitions. Gives preference to the 3ds Max Design material definition if a material with the same name is imported.
- Keep the Max scene material definitions on Reload. Retains material definitions made in 3ds Max Design, even when the linked building model is reloaded.
Include by Type
Specifies which object types are imported from the source building model.
Options
- Lights. Includes light properties, including photometric lights, from the source model.
- Daylight System. Includes sun settings from the source model.
- Camera. Includes camera properties from the source model.
- Create Helper at Model Origin. Provides a method for moving the model within the 3ds Max Design scene by creating a dummy helper object that serves as a handle.
- Auto Smooth adjacent faces. Causes adjacent faces to be smoothed or sharpened at a specific angle.
Combine Entities
Specifies how Revit objects are grouped and organized in 3ds Max Design.
- By Revit Material. All objects that share the same material become a single 3ds Max Design object. For example, all Revit objects with the glass material become one 3ds Max Design object.
- By Revit Category. All objects that belong to the same Revit category become a single 3ds Max Design object. For example, all walls become one object, and all doors become another object.
- By Revit Family Type. All objects that belong to the same Revit family type become a single 3ds Max Design object. For example, all Single-Flush 800 x 2100 doors become one object, and all Single-Flush 915 x 2134 doors become another object.
- As One Object. All Revit objects become a single 3ds Max Design object. This option improves performance but provides limited editing capabilities.
- Do Not Combine. Each Revit object becomes an individual 3ds Max Design object. This option can result in a large number of 3ds Max Design objects and creates large files. It is not recommended for complex models.