The Material Switcher in 3ds Max 2026.3 now has support for an animatable material index.

Quickly switch between materials
The Material Switcher now lets you dynamically swap between up to 9,999 materials with ease. This update brings your animations and designs to life with unprecedented control and flexibility. Whether you're creating complex transitions or telling a visual story, the improved Material Switcher with its animatable index empowers you to achieve stunning results.