Python 3 Support

Starting with 3ds Max 2021, both Python 3.7 and Python 2.7 interpreters are included with 3ds Max. Python 3 is the default. Both the MAXScript Listener and Editor support Python 3, including supporting autocomplete. CPython extension libraries are binary compatible with Python 3.7, and do not require recompilation. See ~~{ Python Extension Libraries }~~.

Note:

The MaxPlus API is only supported under Python 2.7. Any scripts that use MaxPlus need to be converted to use pymxs to run under Python 3.7.

Specifying the Python Interpreter Version

The default Python interpreter loaded by 3ds Max is version 3. The Python interpreter version can be specified by doing one of the following:

start 3dsmax.exe, 3dsmaxbatch.exe, or 3dsmaxcmd.exe with the -pythonver 2|3 command-line switch. For example: 3dsmax.exe -pythonver 2
set an environment variable named ADSK_3DSMAX_PYTHON_VERSION to 2 or 3 before launching 3ds Max or 3ds Max Batch.

The Python environment loaded at startup is logged to the system log (Max.log) as an information message, for example:

2019/12/18 15:56:25 INF: [02720] [35896] Python version: 3

Python 3 Location

The Python 3 interpreter (python.exe) and supporting packages are located in [3ds Max Install]/Python37/.

Note:

Note: The Python 2 interpreter is still named 3dsmaxpy.exe, and is located in the 3ds Max root directory.