Exporting AutoCAD DWG Files

Command entry:

Application menu

Export

AutoCAD (*.DWG)

When you export an AutoCAD drawing file, you convert your 3ds Max objects into AutoCAD objects. Because AutoCAD doesn't support animation, the exporter produces objects in a static state defined by the current frame set by the time slider.

If you used layers, instances, or colors to organize objects in the scene, that structure is maintained when the model is exported.

Exported objects with modifiers assigned to them are affected by the current state of the modifier. For instance, if the Taper modifier assigned to a box is turned off, the exported scene shows a non-tapered box.

NoteLayers created in 3ds Max are not exported to AutoCAD.

NoteExporting to an AutoCAD R14 drawing file is not supported. If you are working with AutoCAD R14, export to 3DS or DXF file format.

What to Expect When Opening the DWG File

When you open an exported drawing in AutoCAD, you are presented with an isometric (3/4) view looking toward the positive XY direction instead of a Front elevation view.

The isometric view of an exported model opened in AutoCAD

The exporter also sets two AutoCAD system variables:

INSUNITS, Insert Units, sets the drawing-unit value for blocks or images inserted from AutoCAD Design Center. Therefore, if you have the units of a model in 3ds Max set to millimeters, INSUNITS will be set to 4.
MEASUREMENT sets the drawing units either to English or Metric.

Procedures

To export a DWG file:

Choose Application menu Export.
From the Files Of Type drop-down list, choose AutoCAD (*.DWG).
Specify a file name to export.
Set options in the Export to AutoCAD File dialog (described following).

Interface

Export version

Export version

3ds Max allows you to export to AutoCAD 2010, AutoCAD 2007, AutoCAD 2004, or AutoCAD 2000.

NoteWhen exporting to AutoCAD 2010, all entities from the 3ds Max scene are collapsed to an "end-of-stack" mesh and exported as a MESH object in the DWG file. The MESH object is set to Subdivision level 0.

This new MESH object type is implemented in the context of Autocad 2010 for Subdivision Surfaces workflows. It removes some of the current limitations of the PolyFace object:

The MESH object is not limited to 32K vertices so it can handle complex 3ds Max meshes.
The MESH object provides tools within AutoCAD to convert as true ACIS Solid entities.

The next option lets you choose to export everything in the current scene or only selected objects:

Entire SceneAll objects in the scene are exported. This is the default setting.
Selected ObjectsOnly selected objects are exported. Choosing this is equivalent to using File Export Selected.

Geometry Options group

Convert Instances To Blocks: Converts instances to AutoCAD block insertions. The block definition uses the same name as the first instance converted. When turned off, each instance is converted as a separate AutoCAD object. References are always exported as separate objects.
Skip Hidden Objects: Toggles export of hidden objects. When on, hidden objects are not exported.
Ignore Extrude Capping: When on, exports shapes with Extrude modifiers as 2D AutoCAD objects with a thickness property, and ignores the state of the Cap Start and Cap End parameters. When off, shapes with Extrude modifiers that also have Cap Start or Cap End on are exported as polyface 3D meshes. Extruded circles, donuts, and rectangle objects export as AutoCAD circles, donuts, and trace objects with a thickness property.