The topics in this section describe how to share files with AutoCAD and other programs that use the DWG format.
The DWG file is the primary, native file format of drawing files created by AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, and AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Mechanical, and so on. It is a binary format used for importing and exporting AutoCAD drawing files.
You can also use the File Link Manager to create a live link between a drawing file that can be open in AutoCAD or Revit and 3ds Max. Changes that are made to the drawing can automatically be updated in 3ds Max without having to reload scenes or re-import drawings.
You can find more information about using the DWG format with Revit in this white paper.
In most cases, when using the same data with two or more different Autodesk products, it's preferable to use the File Link Manager to connect to drawing files: This lets you maintain a “live” link between the applications. However, if you prefer to do so, you can also use the Import command to bind to the drawing file immediately.
The AutoCAD DWG/DXF Import Options dialog introduced prior to 3ds Max 7 contained many improvements, including enhanced DWG compatibility and greater user control and customizability; however, some things were also lost from the DWG Import found in previous versions of 3ds Max. For this reason, 3ds Max retains the legacy DWG Import functionality.
When you export an AutoCAD drawing file, you convert your 3ds Max objects into AutoCAD objects. Because AutoCAD doesn't support animation, the exporter produces objects in a static state defined by the current frame set by the time slider.
