You can send a variety of 3D data, such as animation, geometries, materials, and textures from Maya to 3ds Max. You can then make changes to an object in 3ds Max before sending it back to Maya using the Send to Maya commands in the 3ds Max application button 
> Send to menu.
Note: Send to 3ds Max is only available in the Maya File menu if you have matching versions of Maya and 3ds Max. (Maya 2016 and 3ds Max 2016 are matching versions.)
To send object(s) to 3ds Max
- In Maya, select the object(s) you want to send to 3ds Max.
- Select File > Send to 3ds Max and choose from the following options:
- Send as New Scene.
Opens a new scene in 3ds Max, and sends the selected objects from Maya.
- Update Current Scene.
Available only if 3ds Max is running. Updates the 3ds Max scene by sending the current Maya selection. If no objects are selected, this choice sends the selection that was previously sent.
- Add to Current Scene.
Available only if 3ds Max is running. Sends the current selection to 3ds Max. Any selected objects that have already been sent are duplicated in the 3ds Max scene.
- Send as New Scene.
- After you perform your first Send to operation, a connection indicator will appear at the bottom of the Maya interface.
