Autodesk 3ds Max 2021 Managing Scenes, Files, and Projects

Book excerpt: File-Handling Commands The principal commands for handling files are found on the File menu. File-Handling Apps and Utilities There are several apps and utilities available that help you manage content and files: The 3ds Max Asset Library is a standalone app that allows you to quickly access 3D content on your local computer and network in a single view, making all content instantly searchable. You can download the app from the Autodesk App store. The Bitmap / Photometric Path Editor utility lets you view bitmap paths or remove them from the scene file. The File Finder is another resource for finding 3ds Max scenes. The Resource Collector copies or moves a scene's bitmaps into a single directory. The Fix Ambient utility resolves lighting issues with older versions of scene files. The Bitmap Pager Statistics dialog provides information that helps you resolve issues with scenes that require large amounts of memory for texture maps. The Substitute modifier lets you replace linked AutoCAD Architecture objects with native 3ds Max geometry and objects. Image File Formats You can use image file formats in a variety of ways: as textures for materials, as backgrounds to viewports, as background environments, as Image Input events in Video Post, and as images projected from a light. Similarly, 3ds Max can render to a number of popular image file formats. External References (XRefs) to Objects and Scenes External references to objects and scenes are another powerful way to manage a project, especially when it involves multiple contributors.