Configuring the Development Environment

When building a new 3ds Max plug-in, Visual Studio needs to know where to find header files and library files. You can configure this for each individual project, but it is be easier to update the Visual Studio global settings.

Visual Studio 2010 and 2012

1. Open the Property Manager.
2. In the Property Manager window, expand a project, then expand the "Release | x64" build node.
   NOTE:As of 3ds Max 2014, only x64 release libraries are included in the SDK.
3. Double-click "Microsoft.Cpp.x64.user" to open a property editing window. This is your global user property sheet, and any changes made here will apply to all projects.
4. Under VC++ Directories, edit the Include Directories item and add the path to the \include sub-folder of the 3ds Max SDK installation directory.
5. Edit the Library Directories item and add the path to the \lib sub-folder of the 3ds Max SDK installation directory.
6. Click OK.

Visual Studio 2008 and older

Go to the Visual C++ options dialog (accessed from the menu Tools > Options ...), and select in the node "Projects and Solution > VC++ Directories".

First, use the combo box under "Show directories for:" to select "Include files". Using the new folder button, add the path to the \include sub-folder of the 3ds Max SDK installation directory.

Next, use the same combo box to select "Library files". Using the new folder button, add the path to the \lib sub-folder of the 3ds Max SDK installation directory.

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