Project

The project folder provides a simple way of keeping all of your files organized for a particular project.

• File menu > Project
• Project toolbar

The first time you start 3ds Max, the default project folder is your local /3dsmax folder. The path for this might depend on the operating system you use.

You can use Set Active Project to specify a different location. You can also set the project folder from the Asset Tracking Dialog Paths menu.

When you set the project folder, 3ds Max automatically creates a series of folders within it such as \scenes and \renderoutput . Saving or opening files from the browser uses this location by default. Using a consistent project folder structure among team members is good practice for both organizing and sharing files.

When you set the project folder, 3ds Max might display a warning that some file paths are no longer valid. If the scenes you are working on belong to the project you have chosen, it is safe to disregard this warning.

Tip: If you have done scene work in the current 3ds Max session before you set the project folder, then it is a good idea to choose File menu Reset before you open a new scene. Otherwise, the Open command defaults to the folder where the previous scene was saved. After Reset, the Open command defaults to the \scenes folder of the current project.

3ds Max creates an MXP file with various paths that pertain to the project folder, and stores it in the folder you have chosen.

Note: Among the files installed along with 3ds Max are a number of material libraries as well as maps used by these libraries. These files are placed by default in the program folder, in the \materiallibraries and \maps subpaths, respectively. Should you wish to use any of the material libraries in a project, we recommend that you copy the library files into the project \materiallibraries folder. Also, if necessary, use the External Path Configuration feature to add the \maps path along with its subpaths (turn on Add Subpaths when adding the \maps path).

Setting the project folder

Project submenu

To set the project folder, choose one of the options on the Project submenu, or the appropriate button on the Projects toolbar.

Automatic switch

Toggles ability to automatically switch to the appropriate project folder when working in multiple scenes.

Recent Projects

Switches to a recently opened project. The list includes the last 10 projects opened.

Set Active Project...

Sets the root of the current project using the Set Active Project dialog.

Create Empty...

Creates a new project with no structure or hierarchy by selecting a single root directory using the Choose a folder dialog.

Create Default...

Creates a new project with the default folder structure using the Choose a folder dialog.

Create from Current

Creates a new project based on the folder structure of the current project using the Choose a folder dialog.

Configure User Paths

Opens the Configure User Paths dialog, where you can organize your scenes, images, plug-ins, backups, etc.