In 3ds Max a three dimensional model -- including all associated objects, materials, properties, and modifiers -- constitutes the scene. The Max file format contains all information in a 3ds Max scene. This includes all of the objects, modifiers, materials, and controllers.

Scenes can also include dependencies on other Max files such as it the case with XRef objects and XRef scenes, as well as other file formats such as bitmaps, sounds files and geometry files.