Every scene object in a 3ds Max scene is associated with a data structure known as a node. The node manages an object's geometry, transformation controllers, assigned materials, assigned modifiers, etc. Nodes also provide the building blocks for hierarchies, in which parent/child relationships are created by linking node to node. The 3ds Max tools that display nodes are Scene Explorer, Track View, and Schematic View.

Multiple nodes may share the geometry of a single scene object. Each node in the scene is unique and can be identified as such by the commands and tools 3ds Max or plug-ins implement.

A node is represented by the class INode. The methods of INode provide functions for evaluating the geometry and associated transformations of the node, getting and setting the node name, working with parent/child hierarchies, accessing display attributes of the node, providing access to transformation controllers, etc.