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Merging Assets in 3ds Max

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✔️ Personal ✔️ Suite 🧩 Supported 3ds Max Versions

Working With Different Asset Types

The integration offers various workflows to streamline adding 3D scenes (.max), 3D assets supported by the 3ds Max import functionality  (.obj, .fbx, etc.), Gaussian splats (.ply), material libraries (.mat) and MaterialX materials (.mtlx) from Connecter to 3ds Max. Textures get handled directly by the standard 3ds Max functionality, as currently, the integration doesn’t have any workflows dedicated to them.

There are two ways to add assets to your scene: by using drag-and-drop and by using the 3ds Max commands from the context menu in the Assets View.

3d Scene (.mat) and Material Library (.mat) Assets

With a standard drop interaction, you can add scenes (.max) and material library (.mat) assets to your scenes in 3ds Max from the Connecter app. If the integration isn’t installed for the 3ds Max you’re dragging the assets into, 3ds Max will offer you the standard open or merge options as if you’re dragging the assets from Windows File Explorer, as it can’t tell that this interaction comes from the Connecter app.

If you have the integration installed, though, when you drop a .max or .mat asset in your open scene, the integration “intercepts” the interactions from Connecter and will offer another experience with various workflows besides the standard “Open” and “Merge” ones:

You can also use the 3ds Max commands from the context menu in the Assets View. These commands allow you to quickly add assets, load materials, and more with a single click. The integration must be installed for these commands to work.


Context menu commands in the Assets View for a .max asset.


Context menu commands in the Assets View for a .mat asset.

Non-Native Formats Supported by 3ds Max

You can use drop interaction with advanced “Merge and Place” workflows by enabling the "Non-native formats merge mode" from Connecter. The “Show Import Settings” dialog option allows you to choose if you like the “3ds Max Import” dialog with the advanced import options shown during the import. If this mode is disabled the standard 3ds Max workflows will be used.

The 3ds Max commands in the context menu in the Assets View are also available for the non-native 3D assets, the .ply assets and .mtlx assets.


Context menu commands in the Assets View for an .obj asset

Context menu commands in the Assets View for a .mtlx asset

NOTE:  Import of .usdz isn’t supported in 3ds Max. Import of .usd, .usdc and .usda assets is supported from 3ds Max 2026. Older versions of 3ds Max won’t be able to import them.

NOTE: MaterialX is supported from 3ds Max 2026. V-Ray supports MaterialX with “VRayVRmatMtl,” so if you’re using it as your renderer, it’ll also be supported for the older versions of 3ds Max.

NOTE: Gaussian Splats (.ply) assets are supported only by V-Ray and Corona. If you’re using a different renderer the “Merge and Place” of .ply assets won’t be available. 

There are three types of .ply assets: Mesh Based, Point Cloud and Gaussian Splats. Only Gaussian Splats .ply assets are supported, if you drop a Mesh Based or Point Cloud .ply assets, you’ll see a cube in 3ds Max.

Textures   

Currently, the integration doesn’t provide specific workflows dedicated to adding textures from Connecter to your scenes. All image assets you add from Connecter get handled directly by 3ds Max to offer the standard workflows (e.g., drag and drop in the “Compact Material Editor” and the “Slate Material Editor”, drag and drop on an object in the scene, etc.).

Merge and Place

This option merges all objects from the asset and allows you to move them around and place them at the desired positions in the scene. This workflow also lets you add multiple instances of the merged asset. To merge and place an asset:

  1. Select one or multiple assets in Connecter, drag the selection in the viewport of your 3ds Max scene, and release the left mouse button.
  2. Choose the “Merge and Place” option in the integration contextual menu, which will appear. 
  3. The merged objects will appear in the scene viewport, and the mouse cursor will change to “cross”. Move your mouse around the scene to take the objects to the desired position.
  4. Click on the viewport with the left mouse button. The integration will place the asset in that position.

NOTE: While still in placing mode, clicking on any UI element outside the viewport in 3ds Max will cancel the operation.       

  1. Press the “Escape" keyboard button or the right mouse button to finish the operation or move your mouse, position the “cross” cursor to another point in the scene, and click again with the left mouse button to add another instance of the merged asset. Finish the operation or continue to add more instances of the asset.

NOTE: The “Merge and Place” workflows offer additional handy functionality to aid your experience when placing objects in your scenes. Refer to the below sections for more details on aligning and rotating the objects and choosing what objects to merge.