Merging Assets in 3ds Max

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Working with different asset types

The Integration offers various workflows to streamline adding 3D scenes (*.max) and material libraries (*.mat) from Connecter to 3ds Max. All other assets, like 3D files you can import or textures, get handled directly by the standard 3ds Max functionality, as currently, the Integration doesn’t have any workflows dedicated to them. 

3d scene (*max) 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 is not 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 not 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:

Fbx, 3ds, and other assets supported by 3ds Max

Currently, the Integration doesn’t provide specific workflows dedicated to adding from Connecter to your scenes 3D assets in formats like FBX, Obj, and other file formats 3ds Max supports. All asset formats other than scenes (*.max) and material library (*mat) you add from Connecter get handled directly by 3ds Max to offer the standard workflows (e.g., merge, import, etc.). 

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 Material Editor, drag and drop on an object in the scene, etc.). 

Merge and Place

This option merges all contents of the asset and allows you to move it around and place it at the desired position 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. Refer to the sections below for more details on merging assets as proxies or xRefs.
3. The merged asset will appear in the scene viewport, and the mouse cursor will change to “cross”. Move your mouse around the scene to take the asset 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.       
5. Press the Escape keyboard or the mouse right 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 assets in your scenes. Refer to the below sections for more details on aligning and rotating the merged assets and exploring the scene.