If using a DWG file is not an option, the DXF file format is the next best method of getting design data to and from 3ds Max. Most commonly, DXF files are used to import and export modeling data to and from CAD programs that have support for DXF but not DWG files.
When you import an DXF file, 3ds Max converts a subset of AutoCAD objects to corresponding 3ds Max objects. Importing DXF files employs the same methods as importing DWG files.