3D interoperability is a crucial topic for professionals in the modeling, animation, rendering, and 3D visualization fields. In this article, we will explore how Autodesk's 3DS Max software, one of the most popular tools for these tasks, manages interoperability and in particular, how its native file format, .MAX, facilitates collaboration among different project stakeholders.
Formerly known as 3D Studio, 3ds Max is a 3D modeling software developed by Autodesk. The software has been completely redesigned since 1996 and is now used in many fields, including film, architecture, design, and video games. It offers a multitude of advanced features for creating, animating, lighting, and rendering 3D models. 3ds Max is also compatible with many other 3D modeling software, which makes interoperability between different tools easier.
- 3ds Max can import the following file types:
- Autodesk (.FBX)
- 3D Studio Mesh (.3DS, .PRJ)
- Alembic (.ABC)
- Adobe Illustrator (.AI)
- Catia V5 (.CATPART, .CATPRODUCT, .CGR)
- Collada Autodesk (.DAE)
- LandXML / DEM / DDF (.DEM, .XML, .DDF)
- AutoCAD (.DWG)
- Flight Studio OpenFlight (.FLT)
- Motion Analysis HTR File (.HTR) IGES (.IGE, .IGS, .IGES)
- Autodesk Inventor (.IPT, .IAM) JT (.JT)
- Catia V4 (.MODEL, MDL, SESSION, EXP, DLV, DLV3, DLV4) OBJ (.OBJ)
- Creo (.PRT, .NEU, .G, .ASM) NX (.PRT)
- Revit (.RVT) ACIS (.SAT)
- 3D Studio Shape (.SHP)
- SketchUp (.SKP)
- SolidWorks (.SLDPRT, .SLDASM)
- STL (.STL)
- STEP (.STP, .STEP)
- Motion Analysis TRC File (.TRC)
- Universal Scene Description (.USD, .USDA, .USDC)
- Autodesk Alias (.WIRE)
- VRML (.WRL, .WRZ)
- VIZ XML Material Import (.XML)
One of the key elements of 3ds Max interoperability is its native file format, .MAX. This file format is a complete scene that contains all components and references to the scene's content, making collaboration between different team members working on the same project easier. The .MAX format contains all the necessary information for the scene to be saved and loaded, including information specific to Autodesk 3ds Max.
The .MAX file format is particularly useful for complex projects involving many files and external references. By using the .MAX format, team members can easily share scene files with others, without having to manually manage links between files.
Additionally, 3DS is one of the file formats supported by Autodesk 3ds Max. This file format was the native file format of the old version of Autodesk 3D Studio, which was replaced by 3D Studio MAX in 1996. The 3DS format has become a de facto standard for transferring models between different 3D modeling software or storing models for 3D resource catalogs.
Although the 3DS format is intended to provide an import/export format that retains only essential geometric, texture, and lighting information, the MAX format also contains additional information specific to Autodesk 3ds Max, allowing for the saving and loading of a complete scene.
CAD Interop distributes several software solutions for viewing and converting 3DS Max files. Find below the list of our solutions compatible with the 3DS Max format:
