There are certain file name extensions that plug-in DLLs must use. 3ds Max uses these standard extensions as part of its search algorithm to determine which files it will attempt to load. Below is a list of the extensions and the plug-in types associated with each one:
BMI
- Bitmap Manager IO DLLs.BMF
- Bitmap Manager Filter plug-ins.BMS
- Bitmap Manager Storage DLLs.DLB
- Shader plug-ins.DLC
- Controllers.DLE
- Scene Export plug-ins.DLF
- Font Loaders.DLH
- Sampler plug-insDLI
- Scene Import plug-ins.DLK
- Filter Kernels (Anti-aliasing filters)DLM
- Modifiers.DLO
- Procedural Objects.DLR
- Renderers.DLS
- Object Snap plug-ins.DLT
- Materials and Textures.DLU
- Utility plug-ins.DLV
- Rendering EffectsDLX
- MAXScript extension plug-ins.FLT
- Image Filter plug-ins.GUP
- Global Utility plug-ins.Note that it is acceptable to have several different plug-in types present in a single DLL. As long as the DLL uses one of the file name extensions listed above, 3ds Max will load all the plug-ins present. For example, if a developer created a system plug-in using both a procedural object and a controller, they could place them both in the same DLL. 3ds Max would load them all (provided the file name extension matched one of those above).