File Link Manager
 
 
 
Command entry: Application Menu References File Link File Link Manager
Command entry: Utilities panel Utilities rollout Click the More button. Utilities dialog File Link Manager

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.

TipFor optimal speed when bringing a DWG file that contains a lot of text into 3ds Max, use Import rather than File Link.

File Link Workflow

File Link is best understood through a few simple principles: