The Import and Export commands on the Application menu let you share 3D geometry with other 3D modeling programs. 3ds Max can import and export a variety of file formats.
In addition to using the Import command on the Application menu, you can import geometry by dragging and dropping. If the scene to which you’re importing already contains geometry, 3ds Max usually asks whether you want to merge the imported geometry with the existing scene, or replace the scene entirely.
3ds Max can import the WIRE format from Alias and other applications, as well as the comparable APF (Autodesk Packet File) format used by Autodesk Showcase and other applications.
DRF is the file format for VIZ Render, a rendering tool formerly included with AutoCAD Architecture. The DRF file type is similar to MAX files from previous versions of Autodesk VIZ.
The topics in this section describe how to work with mesh files from 3D Studio ® , the DOS-based predecessor to 3ds Max.
SHP is the 3D Studio (DOS) shape file format. You can import these files into 3ds Max.
The topics in this section describe how to share files with Adobe Illustrator.
When you choose ASCII Scene Export (*.ase) as the Save As type, the exported file is an ASCII representation of your scene. A dialog lets you specify which scene components are included, and how they're output. This is helpful if you are writing a program that requires you to parse the ASCII file.
The topics in this section describe how to share files with AutoCAD and other programs that use the DWG format.
DXF files are used to import and export objects to and from AutoCAD and other programs that support this file format. Most commonly, DXF files are used to import and export modeling data to and from CAD programs that have support for DXF but not DWG files. The topics in this section describe how to work with the DXF format.
IPT and IAM are the native Autodesk Inventor® file formats for parts (IPT) and assemblies (IAM). You can import both file formats into 3ds Max.
With 3D DWF publishing, you can export Design Web Format™ (.DWF™) files of your three-dimensional models with nearly the same visual fidelity as in rendered scenes. DWF files are highly compressed. You can share them easily with team members who might not have 3ds Max.
FBX is the file format native to Autodesk MotionBuilder, a system used for the creation, editing, and blending of motion capture and keyframe animation. It is also the file format to use for sharing data with Autodesk Revit Architecture. You can import and export files in this format with 3ds Max.
The OpenFlight® format is commonly used in visual-simulation systems. You can import and export OpenFlight files. With the Flight Studio® utility, you can also create and edit objects and attributes in OpenFlight files.
The topics in this section describe how to use IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) files with 3ds Max.
3ds Max provides support for developing mobile games using the JSR-184 format. JSR-184 is a Java standard (Java Specification Request) used to create 3D applications for mobile phones. Once you have exported your scene to JSR-184 format, you can preview the animation using the JSR-184 Standalone Player.
The topics in this section describe how to use land development data with 3ds Max. Land data typically comes from civil engineering projects, and can use a few different file formats.
Lightscape is a visualization application that uses radiosity and ray tracing to create accurate lighting for 3D models. You can export 3ds Max scenes to Lightscape formats, or import Lightscape files.
The topics in this section describe how to use motion-capture files in the HTR (Hierarchical Translation-Rotation) and TRC formats.
You can set up 3D scenes and animations in 3ds Max, and then export them in Shockwave 3D (W3D) format for use in interactive presentations in Macromedia Director. To start this process, choose Application menu Export, and choose Shockwave 3D Scene Export (*.W3D) as the file type. Choosing this format opens the Shockwave 3D Scene Export Options dialog.
The SAT-format feature handles import and export precise geometric boundary representation (BREP) data, also known as ACIS solids, for trimmed surfaces, solids models and assemblies as 3ds Max "Body Objects.” SAT-format objects can come from Autodesk programs such as Revit and Inventor, as well as third-party software like Rhino and Catia.
The SketchUp importer enables direct import of scene files from versions 6, 7, and 8 of Google ™ SketchUp. It supports multiple cameras and scene materials, and can keep objects intact even if they reside on multiple layers. When bringing an SKP file into 3ds Max, all objects are imported, except (optionally) hidden objects, and existing 3ds Max-scene contents remain intact.
The topics in this section describe how to import and export stereolithography (STL) files.
3ds Max can import and export the text-based (ASCII) Wavefront format OBJ. An OBJ file contains geometry descriptions, while the associated MTL file format contains material descriptions.
The topics in this section describe how to work with VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) files in 3ds Max.
