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.
Note: 3ds Max comes with several different Market-Specific Defaults. These set different program defaults on startup, based on the type of files you expect to work on most often. You can load the preset defaults that come with 3ds Max, or you can create your own.
In general, you don't need to work directly with the auxiliary files, but it's good to know about them. Among the auxiliary files 3ds Max uses are:
-
3dsmax.ini: This file gets updated when you start and exit 3ds Max, as well as when you change most Preferences settings. It contains values relating to program defaults, including the graphics driver, directories used to access external files such as sounds and images, preset render sizes, dialog positions, snap settings, and other preferences and default settings. If you edit this file, be sure to make a copy first, so you can return to the original if anything goes wrong.
Note: Many program defaults are set in currentdefaults.ini, found within the \defaults directory.
-
maxstart.max:
Start-up scene conditions are defined by the Start-Up template you choose. If the start-up template does not include a MAX scene, and a
maxstart.max file is present, 3ds Max uses
maxstart.max as the start-up scene. If the start-up template does not include a MAX scene, and a
maxstart.max file is
not present, 3ds Max opens a blank scene.
3ds Max looks for maxstart.max in the MaxStart folder specified on the Configure Project Paths dialog
File I/O panel.
- maxstart.cui: This is the default custom user interface file. You can load and save CUI files, and set 3ds Max to use a different default CUI file.
-
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\<year> - 64bit\<lang>\Plugin.UserSettings.ini:
This file contains directory paths for plug-ins. Most other paths are kept in 3ds Max INI file, but
Plugin.UserSettings.ini
is maintained as a separate file because third-party plug-ins often add entries to the list at installation.
Note: It is possible to use multiple plug-in configuration files by nesting additional paths in your Plugin.UserSettings.ini file. This can be very useful for allowing an entire network of users to share one Plugin.UserSettings.ini file, making the system easier to maintain for the network administrator.
- startup.ms: A MAXScript file that automatically executes at startup time.