Starting 3ds Max from the Command Line

You can start 3ds Max from the command line in a Command Prompt window, or include the command line in a batch file. There are a number of switches that you can use on the command line.

To start 3ds Max from the command line:

Open a Command Prompt window.
Change the directory to the 3ds Max root directory, if this directory is not in your PATH statement.
Type 3dsmax to start 3ds Max. Optionally, add a command-line switch (see below).

Command-Line Switches

You can use the following switches after 3dsmax on the command line.

Switch	Effect
-c othercui	Starts program using othercui.cui instead of maxstart.cui.
-d	Causes Track View to use a double-buffered display, which is smoother than the single-buffered display but uses more system resources.
-g	Makes background white (instead of gray) in the following dialogs: Track View, RAM Player, Video Post, Loft, and Falloff Curve. Useful for screen captures when using a display mode less than 24 bits deep, for avoiding background patterns.
-h	Allows choice of graphics drivers: Software, Open GL, Direct3D, and Custom.
-i otherfile	Starts program using otherfile.ini instead of 3dsmax.ini.
-l	Loads the last .max file automatically.
-ma	Open maximized.
-mi	Open minimized.
-n	Disables network mode.
-p otherfile	Starts program using otherfile.ini instead of plugin.ini. NoteThe otherfile.ini string should include the full path name.
-q	Starts program "quietly," without the splash screen.
-s	Starts program in server mode.
-u	Opens utility.
-v	Loads a display driver. See details following, under "Using the −V Option." NoteIt is not possible to select which version of Direct3D you will use with this switch.
-z	Writes version number to file. See details following, under "Using the −Z Option."
anyscene	Starts 3ds Max and opens a file called anyscene.max.

A space must separate 3ds Max executable name and the command-line switch.

Examples:

3dsmax −l

3dsmax −i otherfile

3dsmax anyscene

3dsmax −c MaxCustom

Using the -V Option

You use the -V option to load a different display driver at startup. This option overrides the setting in 3dsmax.ini.

Follow the -V with one of these letters for the driver you want to use:

s: Loads the software driver.

o: Loads the OpenGL driver.

d: Loads the Direct3D driver.

n: Loads a null driver.

For example, if you ordinarily run OpenGL and want to switch to the software driver for a session, you would type: 3dsmax −vs

Using the -Z Option

If you call product support, the representative might ask you to run this option to determine the exact version of your software. This option only writes to a file; it does not start 3ds Max.

Follow the -Z with a file name:

3dsmax −z id.txt

The file (in this example, id.txt) is written to the 3ds Max root directory.