General Improvements

General Improvements

3ds Max Composite

You can install the 32- or 64-bit version of 3ds Max Composite to use with Autodesk 3ds Max 2011 from the Tools and Utilities section of the installer. 3ds Max Composite includes:

• Raster and Vector Paint
• Image Processing
• Color Correction
• Keying and Rotoscoping
• Stereoscopic Production Support
• Motion Blur
• Advanced 2D Tracking
• Camera Mapping
• Depth of Field
• Node and Layer-based Compositing Options
• Spline-Based Warping
• Enhanced Render Passes
• Data Managing and Collaborating

Refer to the Installation Guide for complete details on specifications for this release (Click Documentation in the bottom-left corner of the Installer).

Windows 7 Support

Windows^® 7 is a supported OS for Autodesk 3ds Max 2011. Refer to the Installation Guide for complete details on specifications for this release (Click Documentation in the bottom-left corner of the Installer).

Modeling

Modeling Ribbon

The modeling ribbon boasts a new Object Paint toolset, a significant new customization utility, and a number of refinements that streamline modeling workflow. These include:

• A command to switch the ribbon between horizontal and vertical orientation is available from the ribbon right-click menu.
• You can now minimize the ribbon to panel buttons, each of which includes a descriptive icon.
• A number of ribbon tooltips include new ToolClips: short videos that show how to use the tool.

Caddy Settings Controls

Most editable poly settings now use the caddy, a new “in-canvas” interface that comprises a label and a set of buttons superimposed on the viewport. The caddy replaces the old settings dialogs, leaving a greater portion of the model visible and accessible.

Control-key Behavior

In versions of 3ds Max prior to Autodesk 3ds Max 2011, holding down the Ctrl toggled an object’s selection state. That is no longer the case. To add an object to a selection, use Ctrl. To remove an object from a selection, use Alt. See Basics of Selecting Objects.

Snap Improvements for the Move Tool

A new snap handle located at the axis center gives you more accurate control over snapping when you move an object, with better visual feedback. See Snap Handle When Moving an Object for details.

Scene and Project Management

Container Expansion

The Container feature has been significantly expanded with new rules and locking tools, proxy containers, and more. For details, see What’s New in Containers.

File Link for Revit FBX Files

With the File Link Manager, you can now link FBX files exported from Revit 2009 and Revit 2010. File Link lets you create high-quality renderings in 3ds Max while maintaining a single design database in another application such as Revit, AutoCAD, or AutoCAD Architecture.

For details about how to link Revit FBX files, see File Link Settings: FBX Files Dialog.

Save As Previous Feature

The Save As Previous feature allows you to save Autodesk 3ds Max 2011 scenes as 3ds Max 2010 scenes. You can also save Container (MAXC) files in 3ds Max 2010 format.

Not all features supported in Autodesk 3ds Max 2011 are supported in 3ds Max 2010. See Save As Previous for details.

Improved Inventor File Support

You can now import Autodesk Inventor files (IAM and IPT) without needing to have Inventor installed, and you can keep the data in ACIS-solids format by importing as Body Objects. See Importing Autodesk Inventor Files.