The File Link Manager utility allows you to work in either another design software's environment (such as AutoCAD) or in 3ds Max while maintaining a single design database. If you use AutoCAD drawings, this feature works with drawings from AutoCAD Release 12 through AutoCAD 2012, including the AutoCAD Mechanical/Architecture and Revit applications. File Link also supports FBX files from Revit 2009 through Revit 2012.
In Autodesk 3ds Max 2012, you can use File Link Manager to link an FBX file created by any Autodesk product that uses this format, including MotionBuilder,
Maya, and Mudbox. See File Link Settings FBX Files Dialog and New Settings Preset Dialog. Also in Autodesk 3ds Max 2012, the new Scene Explorer columns Application Origin and Linked Files show information about files linked with the File Link
Manager. See Scene Explorer Columns.
You can establish, refresh, and break links to any number of linked files. You can also edit out unnecessary information by using layers and other filters. The File Link Manager defines which geometry is included in the 3ds Max scene from the linked file, how the geometry is organized, and when it is regenerated.
The objects that you bring in from linked files behave just like any other object created in 3ds Max. You can scale, rotate, and move them, apply modifiers, and assign materials.
You can also refresh or break links to linked files. When you refresh a linked file, any changes you’ve made to the linked file are applied to geometry in your scene. However, 3ds Max will not change the original, linked file. The integrity of your other software’s design database is never compromised by using the File Link Manager.
Finally, if you decide to break a link to a linked file, you can either keep the objects from the linked file in your scene, or have them removed along with the link.
File Link is best understood through a few simple principles:
Creating a file link is a one-way process that supports the central role of AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, or Revit in developing and keeping a record of your core design database. Many changes made in AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, or Revit will appear in 3ds Max after you reload a file link. These include adding or removing objects, moving objects, changing material assignments (specific to AutoCAD Architecture and Revit drawings), and enabling Live Section objects (specific to AutoCAD Architecture drawings). Changes made in 3ds Max, such as moving objects, changing material assignments, and adding lights, will never appear in your AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, or Revit drawing.
Changes that you make in AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, or Revit become part of the design database, whereas changes you make in 3ds Max appear only in the renderings you produce.
When you make changes to drawing files or FBX files, those changes will not appear in 3ds Max unless you use the File Link Manager Reload command. When you reload a link in 3ds Max, you can choose to update just the geometry from AutoCAD, Revit, or the other application; you can reload only specific objects; or (with AutoCAD Architecture and Revit drawings) you can choose to update both the geometry and the material assignments.
You can transform (move, rotate, or scale) linked objects and blocks that appear in 3ds Max, and these types of changes are not lost upon reload. If you have moved, rotated, or scaled linked objects and want the objects to resume the position and scale they have in the original drawing file, use the Reset Position function.
In addition to the linked geometry and material assignments, 3ds Max allows you to create or merge into your scene many types of data from other sources, including:
The main interface to the File Link Manager is the File Link Manager dialog
This dialog appears when you reload an FBX file, or edit the settings of an FBX preset.
This dialog appears when you reload a DWG or DXF file, or edit the settings of a DWG/DXF preset.
The New Settings Preset dialog creates a new preset in the File Link Manager. The settings of the new preset either use default values (if you clicked New), or they inherit the values of a selected preset (if you clicked Copy).
The Rename Settings Preset dialog lets you rename your preset.
After you've created a preset, you can use this function to adjust its settings. For example, you might want to make sure Weld is on, or perhaps to include lights or views (cameras).
Utilities panel