Workflow Settings Editor (Autodesk 3ds Max)

File Linking

Sets the behavior for links between the source and target documents.

With file linking, links or references are established between the design data associated with objects in the source file and the object in the target file. This link can be updated, modified or replaced. When the source file changes, modifications to properties such as materials or textures can be updated in the target file.

Changes in the target file do not affect the source.

Show the Workflow Complete Dialog

Displays a dialog box that indicates that the workflow process has been completed.

Target Scene

Specifies whether to select a 3ds Max scene for each workflow instance, or whether the workflow always targets a new or an active scene.

• Ask User. When you run this workflow, displays a dialog box that prompts you to select a new or existing scene as a target.
• Always. Specifies which type of scene will always be targeted in this workflow. You can specify that the default is always a new or an existing scene.

Existing Link Found with Target Scene

Specifies how existing links to the source drawing are handled by the workflow.

• Ask User. When you run this workflow, displays a dialog box where you can select whether to reload, detach and recreate, or keep and recreate existing links to the source drawing.
• Always. Specifies how links to the source drawing are always handled in this workflow.
  • Reload the Source File. Always reloads any links to the source drawing that are found in the target scene.
  • Detach and Create a New Link. Always detaches and recreates any links to the source drawing that are found in the target scene. Use this option to remove any edits (such as materials applications or modifiers) that have been applied to the linked objects.
  • Keep and Add a New Link Instance. Always retains links to the source drawing and adds a new link to the same file.

Materials

Specifies how the workflow handles materials assignments.

• Use Max Scene Material Definitions. Gives preference to the 3ds Max material definition if a material with the same name is imported.
• Keep Current Max Scene Material Assignments on Reload. Retains materials assignments made in 3ds Max, even when the linked source is reloaded.

Transform and Scale

Use 3ds Max System Units

Ignore any scaling in the source drawing and use the default 3ds Max units setting.

Rescale Source Drawing

Assigns real-world scaling, such as meters, to the units used in the source drawing and scales the drawing based on Target Max Scene unit settings.

Model Unit

(Available only if Rescale Source Drawing is selected) Specifies the real-world unit scale to apply to the AutoCAD unit. For example, you can specify that an AutoCAD unit equals one inch or one millimeter.

Create Helper Object at Drawing's Origin

Provides a method for moving the imported drawing within the 3ds Max scene by creating a dummy helper object that serves as a handle.

NoteThis setting is off by default to prevent problems that can occur when the objects in the source drawing are a long way from the world origin. In this case, Zoom Extents may cause the view to zoom out too far to see anything at all, because the extents include your drawing and the helper placed at the world origin within the view.

Convert AutoCAD Primitives

Create a New Max Object for Each

Specifies how converted AutoCAD objects are grouped and organized in 3ds Max.

• Layer, Blocks as Node Hierarchy. Groups selected AutoCAD primitive objects by layers, and then by blocks within those layers.
• Layer, Blocks as Node Hierarchy, Split by Material. Groups each AutoCAD primitive object by layers, and then by blocks within those layers. Objects with the same material assignments are grouped.
• Entity, Blocks as Node Hierarchy. Groups each AutoCAD primitive object, then by blocks withn those groups.
• Layer. Specifies that all objects on the same layer become a single 3ds Max object.
• Color. Specifies that all objects of the same color become a single 3ds Max object.
• Color and Material. Specifies that all objects that share the same color and material become a single 3ds Max object
• Entity. Specifies that each source object becomes an individual 3ds Max objects.
  NoteThis option can result in a large number of 3ds Max objects and creates very large files. It is not recommended for very complex drawings, especially if you expect to use them for interactive presentations.
• One Object. Groups all source objects as a single object. This option results in good performance within viewport displays, but provides limited editing capabilities.

Level of Detail

Specifies how the workflow handles level of detail, which affects the smoothness of the objects.

Presets

Sets the level of detail that determines how drawing features are displayed in 3ds Max. Higher levels of detail result in slower transfers to 3ds Max and longer rendering times. Options range from Teacup Scale Model, High Detail to City or Terrain Scale Model, Low Detail.

Maximum 3D Solid Surface Deviation

Displays the smoothness values of the solid objects in 3ds Max, based on the Presets selection. Lower numbers indicate more faces and smoother objects. You can change this setting only if the Custom preset is selected.

Spline Curve Steps

Displays the number of nodes, or splits, for spline curves, based on the Presets selection. Higher numbers result in smoother curves. You can change this setting only if the Custom preset is selected.

Geometry

Use the Extrude Modifier to Represent Thickness

When you turn on this option, 3ds Max applies an Extrude modifier to all spline objects that had thickness in AutoCAD. This setting is not on by default for static renderings, but may be useful for some editing or animation tasks.

Weld Nearby Surfaces

Merges vertices that are within the range specified in the Closer Than option.

Closer Than

(Available only if Weld Nearby Surfaces is selected.) Sets how close adjacent vertices need to be in order to be merged. You can specify the distance by dragging the slider or entering a value.

Auto-smooth Adjacent Faces

Causes adjacent faces to be smoothed or sharpened at a specific angle.

Angle

(Available only if Auto-smooth Adjacent Faces is selected). Sets the angle value for smoothing or sharpening adjacent faces. For example, if the Angle value is 15 degrees, angles of 15 degrees or greater are smoothed, and angles of less than 15 degrees remain sharp.

Unify Normals of Adjacent Faces

Sets the normal alignment of adjacent faces to be the same.

For example, if the faces are part of a sphere with the majority pointing outward and a few that are created facing inward, these few are flipped so that all of the sphere's faces point outward

Fill (Cap) Closed Splines

Fills closed areas within 2D objects.

Texture Mapping

Sets whether mapping coordinates are applied to all imported objects, including those that do not have assigned materials.

• No Mapping Coordinates. Specifies that object coordinates are not mapped. When this option is selected, objects do not display material textures, but can display properties such as color.
• Generate Coordinates for All Objects. 3ds Max checks every object for coordinate maps, and adds mapping if necessary. This process is time consuming but necessary for texture maps to be displayed on objects that may not have had mapping coordinates applied in AutoCAD.

Layer Filtering

Skip All Frozen Layers

Does not produce links to source file objects that are on frozen layers.

Skip All Hidden Layers

Does not produce links to source file objects that are on hidden layers.

Include by Type

Specifies which object types are imported.

Lights

Includes light properties, including photometric lights, in the import.

Views and Cameras

Includes views and camera properties in the import.

Sun and Sky Lighting

Includes sun and sky lighting properties in the import.

Points

Includes point objects in the import (not commonly used).

UCSs (grids)

Includes user coordinate systems in the import (not commonly used).

Hatches

includes hatch objects in the import (not commonly used).

External References (xrefs)

Includes all external references attached to the source drawing in the import.

Spline Rendering

Generate Mapping Coordinates

Maps coordinates for splines to enable the display of textures.

Use Real-world Texture Map Size

Uses real-world units when defining the scale of material textures. This option helps you troubleshoot why a texture is too large or too small.

Auto-smooth renderable splines

Automatically smooths or creases splines at a specified angle.

Angle

(Available only when Auto-smooth Renderable Splines is selected. )Specifies the angle at which auto-smoothing goes into effect for splines.

Enable in the Renderer

Provides a way to enhance 2D objects such as splines, polylines, and lines, to give them the appearance of 3D objects when rendered. To view them in the viewport, you must also select Enable in Viewport.

This option and its related settings are available only when Spline Rendering is also selected.

Cross section

Specifies the shape of the cross section that will be swept along the spline, polyline or line path during rendering. This feature can be used to create a handrail or fence. The settings in this section change, depending on whether you select the circle or the rectangle.

• Circle. Uses a circle profile to sweep 2D splines, polylines, and lines.
• Rectangle. Uses a rectangle profile to sweep 2D splines, polylines, and lines.

Thickness

(Available only for circle cross sections) Specifies the diameter of the profile circle.

Sides

(Available only for circle cross sections) Sets the number of sides for the circular profile. For example, 5 sides results in a pentagonal profile. Higher values result in smoother profiles.

Angle

(Available only for circle cross sections) Sets the rotation of the circular profile about the spline.

Length

(Available only for rectangle cross sections) Sets the length of the rectangular cross section profile.

Width

(Available only for rectangle cross sections) Sets the width of the rectangular cross section profile.

Aspect

(Available only for rectangle cross sections) Sets the aspect ratio of the rectangle based on length over width. You adjust the Length and Width settings when you change the Aspect value.

Angle

(Available only for rectangle cross sections) Affects the alignment of the rectangular profile by setting its angle of rotation about the spline path.

Enable in the Viewport

Provides a way to enhance 2D objects such as splines, polylines, and lines, to give them the appearance of 3D objects when viewed in the viewport. To affect the rendering result, you must also select Enable in Renderer.

This option and its related settings are available only when Spline Rendering is also selected.

Use the Renderer Settings Shown Above

Uses the Enable in the Renderer Settings for the viewport display. When this option is selected the other settings in this section are disabled.

Cross section

Specifies the shape of the cross section that will be swept along the spline, polyline or line path during rendering. This feature can be used to create a handrail or fence. The settings in this section change, depending on whether you select the circle or the rectangle.

• Circle. Uses a circle profile to sweep 2D splines, polylines, and lines.
• Rectangle. Uses a rectangle profile to sweep 2D splines, polylines, and lines.

Thickness

(Available only for circle cross sections) Specifies the diameter of the profile circle.

Sides

(Available only for circle cross sections) Sets the number of sides for the circular profile. For example, 5 sides results in a pentagonal profile. Higher values result in smoother profiles.

Angle

(Available only for circle cross sections) Sets the rotation of the circular profile about the spline.

Length

(Available only for rectangle cross sections) Sets the length of the rectangular cross section profile.

Width

(Available only for rectangle cross sections) Sets the width of the rectangular cross section profile.

Aspect

(Available only for rectangle cross sections) Sets the aspect ratio of the rectangle based on length over width. You adjust the Length and Width settings when you change the Aspect value.

Angle

(Available only for rectangle cross sections) Affects the alignment of the rectangular profile by setting its angle of rotation about the spline path.

Display the Introduction Screen

When this option is enabled, an introduction screen is displayed when the workflow is run. This screen describes what the workflow does and provides access to the Settings or Run options. You can select this setting to turn on the display of the introduction screen if you have disabled it.