installation guide

12809-010000-5010A
October 2003

Copyright 2003 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

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toc
Contents
Introduction..................................... 1
System Requirements............................. 1

Upgrading/Updating Your Software......................................... 15

Upgrading from a Previous Version .... 15 Updating 3ds max 6 ............................... 15

Installing 3ds max 6........................ 3

Before You Begin..................................... What You Need to Proceed with Installation............................................. Begin the Install....................................... 3ds max Install Panel.............................. 3 4 4 4

Adding and Removing Components ................................. 15

Adding Components.............................. 16 Removing Components ......................... 16

Starting and Authorizing the Software......................................... 8

Operation in Trial Mode ........................ 8 Authorizing 3ds max.............................. 9 Authorizing character studio ................ 9

Program Maintenance................... 17
Repairing Components .......................... 17

3ds max 6 Online Documentation............................. 18

User Reference......................................... 18 Tutorials.................................................... 18 MAXScript Reference ............................. 18

Configuring Display Drivers ........... 10 Your 3ds max License .................... 11

License Folder ......................................... 11 Portable License Utility.......................... 12

3ds max Partner Resources CD ..... 19

Partners .................................................... 19 Discreet Certified Plug-Ins .................... 20

Additional Installs ........................... 12

Microsoft DirectX 9.0b............................ 13 Autodesk License Manager................... 13 Internet Explorer 6.................................. 13 QuickTime 6.1.......................................... 13

The 3ds max Tutorial and Sample Files CD............................ 21

Adobe Acrobat Reader........................... 21 Samples .................................................... 22 Tutorial Sample Files .............................. 22

Additional Docs .............................. 13 Partners............................................ 14 Deploying 3ds max to Multiple Systems.......................................... 14

Whats in the Box ............................ 22

3ds max 6 Box.......................................... 22

Installation Troubleshooting........... 22

iv

Contents

Adding a Command-Line Switch to the Executable Line ......................... 22 Calculating the Appropriate Swap-File Setting.................................. 23 Possible Error Messages at Startup ...... 23

Support ............................................ 23
World Wide Authorized Discreet Resellers................................................. 23 Discreet Online Support World-Wide.. 24 Assistance from Discreet Authorized Resellers ........................... 24 Support Options from Discreet* ........... 24 30-Day Free Support* ............................. 24 3ds max Software Development Kit .... 24

Discreet Official Training Centers .. 24

Discreet Official Training Courseware ........................................... 25

Frequently Asked Questions.......... 25

Installation Questions ............................ 25 Authorization Questions ....................... 25 General Questions .................................. 26 License and Portable License Utility Questions .................................. 27

install
Introduction

3ds max 6 Installation Guide

System Requirements
Before you begin the install process, make sure your system meets the minimum operating requirements for 3ds max 6. ComputerIntel PIII or later processor or AMD processor, running at 300 megahertz or better. 3ds max takes advantage of multiple processors. Recommended is a system running dual Intel Xeon or dual AMD Athlon processors. RAMMinimum 512 megabytes (MB) and 500 MB swap file size. Recommended is 1 GB RAM and 2 GB swap file size. The complexity of your scene impacts the amount of RAM you will need to maintain performance. DisplayGraphics card supporting a minimum resolution of 1024 x 768 x 16-bit color. Recommended is a 3D graphics accelerator, configured for DirectX 9 (DirectX 8.1 minimum) or OpenGL, with resolution set to 1280 x 1024 x 32-bit color. OpenGL and Direct3D hardware acceleration is supported with graphics

This guide provides information for installing and starting 3ds max 6 and character studio 4.2. In addition to describing steps to install the program quickly, it includes information about system requirements and troubleshooting. It also tells you where to find information to set up network environments, as well as how to uninstall the program. See Frequently Asked Questions (page 25) to address many common questions about, and issues with, the installation and use of 3ds max and character studio.
Important: This guide covers only installation of the 3ds max software for single users (standalone licenses). For information about installation and registration or authorization of network-licensed versions of the software, see the Network Licensing Guide. To view this file, go to the program CD, navigate to the \manuals folder, and open adsk_nlg.chm. You can also view this file from the 3ds max 6 Installer main panel by choosing Network Deployments.

3ds max 6 Installation Guide

cards having a minimum of 32 MB of memory. DirectX 9.0 is on the 3ds max 6 and character studio 4 Installation CD and can be accessed by clicking Additional installs on the main page of the installer.
Note: 256-color mode is not supported.

Recommended is a Microsoft-compatible three-button scroll mouse.

Important: Make sure you are using the most current driver for your pointing device. The best method to obtain the most current driver for any peripheral you are using is to go to the manufacturers Web site and download it from there.

Primary Operating SystemsMicrosoft Windows 2000 (Service Pack 4), Windows XP Professional (Service Pack 1) or Windows XP Home (Service Pack 1). You must have administrative permissions to install the 3ds max software.
Note: Windows 98 and Windows ME are not supported operating systems.

Network (Optional)A TCP/IPconfigured network for use in network rendering. OtherTo authorize 3ds max and to view the online Help systems, you must have Internet Explorer 6 (or later) already present. Internet Explorer 6 is provided on the 3ds max 6 and character studio 4 Installation CD and can be accessed by clicking Additional Installs on the home panel of the installer.
Note: Internet Explorer is necessary

Free hard disk spaceTypically 650 MB of free hard disk space for installation. This varies according to the custom components you choose to install.
Important: The Windows swap-file size should be a minimum of 300 MB. Recommended swap file size is three times the amount of physical RAM on your computer. Depending on scene complexity, more Windows swap space might be desirable.

for registering your software over the Internet. You also need QuickTime 5 (or later) to run the QuickTime plug-in and Panorama Exporter. QuickTime 6.1 is on the 3ds max 6 and character studio 4 Installation CD and can be accessed by clicking Additional Installs on the main page of the installer. See QuickTime 6 (page 13) for more information.

CD-ROMRequired for loading software, and needed for access to tutorial and sample files. Sound card and speakersRequired for listening to sound tracks. Pointing deviceMicrosoft-compatible pointing device or Wacom tablet. 3ds max has special optimizations for a three-button mouse or Microsoft Intellimouse and has support for the scroll wheel.

Installing 3ds max 6

Installing 3ds max 6

Before You Begin
The installer for 3ds max 6 has changed considerably from previous versions. When you insert the 3ds max 6 and character studio 4 Installation CD, you will see the 3ds max 6 Installer Welcome screen that will guide you through your choices of which components to install. The installation is now divided among three CDs that contain the following: 3ds max 6 and character studio 4 Installation CD contains the core 3ds max components, stored as compressed files. 3ds max 6 Partner Resources CD contains additional plug-ins developed by Discreet plug-in partners. 3ds max 6 and character studio 4 Tutorials And Sample Files CD contains the tutorials sample files. The tutorial reference is installed with the 3ds max Documentation (page 4 ) component. Your choices are: 3ds max 6 InstallThis panel lets you choose which components of 3ds max you want to install. See 3ds max Install Panel (page 4 ). Additional InstallsSupporting utilities and programs can be installed from this panel. See Additional Installs (page 12). Additional DocsAllows access to documentation that is not included in the 3ds max Reference material. See Additional Docs (page 13). PartnersDisplays a list of products developed by our plug-in partners. These products can be installed from the 3ds max 6 Partner Resources CD. See Partners (page 14). Browse CDLets you browse the contents of the CD. Network DeploymentsGives you more information about installing and configuring a network-licensed version of 3ds max or installing standalone licensed versions of 3ds max on multiple systems. See Network-Licensed Version (page 7 ) or Deploying 3ds max to Multiple Systems (page 14). www.discreet.comTakes you to the Discreet Web site.

The 3ds max 6 Installer Welcome Screen

When you insert the first 3ds max install CD, youre presented with the 3ds max 6 Installer home panel welcoming you to the program. This initial dialog lets you choose to install 3ds max, install additional utilities, add plug-ins, review documentation, or visit the Discreet Web site.

3ds max 6 Installation Guide

Previous versions of 3ds max let you choose a Typical, Compact, or Custom installation method. The new format of the installer is streamlined and is most closely related to the old Custom installation method, which let you select the components of the program you wanted to install. When the installer starts loading 3ds max, the core software is loaded first and then a series of silent installers load each component that you selected.

Begin the Install

1. Close all open programs, and insert

the 3ds max 6 and character studio 4 Installation CD into the CDROM drive.
2. If Autorun does not start the 3ds max

6 Installer, open the Windows taskbar, choose Start, then Run. Enter the CDROM drive letter, followed by :\CDsetup (for example: d:\CDsetup), and then press ENTER. You can also run the Setup program from My Computer or Windows Explorer by navigating to the CDROM drive and double-clicking CDsetup.exe. The 3ds max Welcome screen (page 3 ) is displayed. Your choices from here are described in the following sections.

What You Need to Proceed with Installation

To start the installation, youll need the serial number, located on the 3ds max packaging. Additionally, you will need administrative permissions for the following operations: Installing the 3ds max 6 package, including the User Reference and Tutorials, and the MAXScript Reference (online Help files). Loading and registering files that let you view FLC, FLI, and CEL files. Installing network-rendering services. Removing 3ds max 6 or any of its components. Importing and exporting your 3ds max 6 license with the Portable License Utility (page 12).
Important: Ensure that you have sufficient free space on your c: drive for the 3ds max 6 temporary installation files (approximately 650 MB for a normal install).

3ds max Install Panel

When you click 3ds max 6 Install, you can choose from a list of 3ds max components you want to install.

Radio buttons accompany the list of components that you can set to add or remove. By default, the standard set of components that are added during an install are the core application, the reference and tutorial documentation, sample files,

Installing 3ds max 6

architectural materials, and character studio 4.2 (page 7 ).

Note: The 3ds max Software Developer Kit (SDK) is not installed, by default. You have to change its setting to Add in order to install it.

Clicking the Remove button of any of these components causes the installer to ignore that component if youre installing for the first time, or to uninstall the component if the component has been previously installed. When you move your cursor over a component, a description appears in the Component Description section, below the list of components. To the right of each component, the Installation Action list tells you which components will be installed and which ones will remain uninstalled.
Install the components: 1. Choose the components you want to 4. In the next panel, in the User Information

group, enter the appropriate information to personalize your installation.

install.
2. Click the Install button. The 3ds max 6

Setup dialog appears. To abort the installation, click Exit.

3. On the Autodesk Software License

Agreement dialog, choose the appropriate country for your installation from the Country list, then read the Autodesk Software License Agreement. Click the I Accept The License Agreement button to continue the installation. Click Next.

5. Accept the default destination folder

in the 3ds max 6 Location group. If you want to specify a different folder destination, click Browse and enter a new drive and folder. The installer creates a new folder for you, if one does not exist.
Important: If youre upgrading a version of 3ds max 5.1 (or older), 3ds max 6 is installed into a new folder. It does not install over a previous version. 6. In the Configuration Information group,

enter the Serial Number printed on the

3ds max 6 Installation Guide

3ds max product packaging. If you get an error message, retry, making sure you enter the Serial Number correctly. You can also choose to have the installer place a shortcut to start 3ds max on your desktop.
7. In the License Information group, specify

the type of license you want to install. Stand Alone is the usual license type. Choose Stand Alone to install a new stand-alone license of 3ds max 6 (including character studio 4). If youve purchased a network-licensed version of 3ds max, choose Network.
8. Click Next to display the next 3ds max 6

Setup panel, where you can verify your personalization data. If the data is correct, click Next to continue installing.

However, if you have chosen to install more than just the 3ds max software, youre not done yet. When you click the Finish button, the silent installer for each supplemental component you selected to install will start.

When the entire install sequence has completed, you will be informed on the 3ds max 6 Installer screen.

If information is incorrect, click the Back button to edit your information, and then repeat this step.
9. After the 3ds max core application is

installed, you will receive notification that the installation was successful.

Installing 3ds max 6

backburner 2.2
backburner is the 3ds max 6 network-rendering management software, also used by combustion. On a system where 3ds max has never been installed, backburner is installed into a shared folder; c:\program files\backburner 2\. This is done so you can use the network rendering and command-line rendering features of 3ds max and so other programs, like combustion, can take advantage of backburner as well. If youre installing 3ds max 6 on a system that had installations of 3ds max 5 or combustion, an older version of backburner is already installed on the system. In this case, the newer version of backburner will install into the same path used by the previous version. This is done so the older version of 3ds max or combustion will still be able to use the newer version of backburner. It also means that any 3ds max 5 or combustion network-rendering jobs that are still in the queue will not be lost. They can still be assigned and rendered using the new version of backburner.
Note: 3ds max 5 can use the newer version

mode. Once 3ds max is authorized, you must purchase and authorize character studio in order to use it.

If you intend to use the character studio software, be sure to consult the associated reference and tutorial documentation. These documents are available from the 3ds max Help menu, under Additional Help. If you plan to use 3ds max network rendering, all network-rendering servers must be installed with the same version of character studio to ensure identical rendering results. The network-rendering servers do not require authorization of 3ds max or character studio. If you intend to use character studio on a 3ds max network floating license, you must purchase or transfer your single-user license to the character studio network version.
Note: A character studio 4.2 network license

can run when 3ds max uses a standalone license. In some versions of 3ds max, such as Educational and Not For Resale versions, character studio is included as part of 3ds max without additional authorization. In these cases, you will not be prompted for an additional character studio authorization code.

of backburner, but 3ds max 6 cannot use the older version of backburner. For more information on backburner, see the Network Rendering topics in the 3ds max 6 User Reference.

Network-Licensed Version
Choosing Network activates the Network License Server field, where you can specify a license server. If youve purchased a network-licensed version of 3ds max, network administrators can perform a network installation by installing the Autodesk License Manager tools. Refer to the Network Licensing Guide (adsk_nlg.chm) located in the \manuals folder on the product

character studio 4
One of the install components you can choose is character studio 4.2. You can choose not to install character studio by clicking the Remove button.
Important: character studio can be used in trial mode only if 3ds max is run in trial

3ds max 6 Installation Guide

CD. You can also view the Network Licensing Guide from the Network Deployments panel of the 3ds max 6 Installer. Network-licensed versions of 3ds max obtain authorization from a network-license server. Before activating the network-license server, you must upgrade to or purchase the network-enabled version of 3ds max. When using network licensing, you may also use network licenses of character studio. The character studio licenses function independently of 3ds max licenses. For example, you can purchase fewer character studio licenses than 3ds max licenses and float the character studio licenses among the 3ds max workstations, as long as all are floating licenses.
Note: Stand-alone licenses of character studio do not function with 3ds max floating licenses.

The Authorization Code dialog continues to appear when you start 3ds max until you have authorized the product. You can also start the Authorization Wizard while running 3ds max by choosing Help > Authorize 3ds max.
Important: If you encounter a licensing error that requires you to reauthorize your copy of 3ds max, you will be able to choose only the Authorize 3ds max option from the Authorization Code dialog. The other options are unavailable.

Starting and Authorizing the Software

To start 3ds max for the first time: Start 3ds max from Start > Programs > discreet > 3dsmax 6 or from a shortcut on your desktop. You can also start the program by navigating to the install folder with My Computer or Windows Explorer and then double-clicking 3dsmax.exe. The first time you start 3ds max, the Authorization Code dialog is displayed. This dialog allows you to proceed with your authorization, purchase the software (or upgrade your existing license), or start using 3ds max.

Operation in Trial Mode

If you dont want to register at this point, you can choose Run The Product. You are given a 30-day trial period during which you can use 3ds max. The trial period starts from the time you first start the program. During this trial-mode period, you can use the software; however, you cannot export the license to another system. If you own a previous copy of character studio and want to try character studio 4.2, you can install the new version, use it in trial mode, and then, if you like the new features, purchase it after the 30-day trial period is complete. character studio can be used in trial mode only if 3ds max is run in trial mode. Once 3ds max is authorized, you have to purchase

Starting and Authorizing the Software

and authorize character studio in order to use it.

Note: Trial versions of 3ds max do not have a serial number that you can use for authorizing the product and will let you use 3ds max 6 and character studio for a maximum of 30 days.

5. Enter your personal information, and

click Next.
6. Confirm your personal information, and

click Next.
7. Choose a registration method. You can

Authorizing 3ds max

For your convenience, 3ds max provides the Authorization Wizard for electronic registration and quick access to your authorization code. The Authorization Wizard appears after you install 3ds max and run it for the first time. It steps you through all the information needed for registering your product and for providing you with an authorization code. You can obtain your authorization code directly on the Web, by fax, email, or postal mail. You can also immediately enter your authorization code if you already have one.

choose Connect Directly Via The Web, Fax Request, Email Request, or Mail Request to register and obtain your authorization code. Each registration method walks you through the procedure for authorizing 3ds max, depending on your geographic location. Refer to the Read This First card included in your 3ds max Media Folder for additional registration and authorization information. Until you properly authorize the program, the Authorization Wizard appears each time you start 3ds max. After you finish using the Authorization Wizard, the Graphics Driver Setup dialog appears.

To obtain a 3ds max authorization code using the Authorization Wizard:

1. Start 3ds max.

Authorizing character studio

If you own a license of character studio, you are required to authorize it the first time you try to build a biped, use the Physique modifier, or work with the Crowd feature.

If you have not yet authorized your copy of 3ds max, the Authorization Wizard appears.
2. Choose Authorize 3ds max 6, and click

Next.
3. Choose Register And Authorize, and

To obtain a character studio authorization code using the Authorization Wizard:

1. Start and authorize 3ds max. 2. On the Create panel, choose the Systems

click Next. If you already have an authorization code, choose Enter Authorization Code, and click Next.
4. Enter the requested registration

button.
3. Click the Biped button. 4. Enter your eleven-digit character studio

information, and click Next.

serial number and click OK.

5. Choose Register And Authorize, and

click Next.

10

3ds max 6 Installation Guide

If you already have an authorization code, choose Enter Authorization Code, and click Next. Enter the requested registration information, and click Next.
6. Enter your personal information, and

click Next.
7. Confirm your personal information, and

click Next.
8. Select a registration method. You can

choose Connect Directly Via The Web, Fax Request, Email Request, or Mail Request to register and obtain your authorization code.
Note: If you are a current character studio

4 customer, you may need to reauthorize character studio to work with 3ds max 6. Use your existing character studio serial number when following the registration outlined above. In some versions of 3ds max, such as Educational or Not For Resale versions, you will not be prompted for an additional character studio authorization code

SoftwareThis is the default driver. It works with any graphics card meeting the minimum requirements. OpenGLMany graphics cards now support hardware-accelerated OpenGL. This selection often gives you the best graphics performance. If your graphics card does not support OpenGL, the current Windows OpenGL driver will be used. The graphics-card manufacturers OpenGL driver gives better performance than the stock Windows OpenGL driver.
Note: To check the OpenGL driver, you

Configuring Display Drivers

The first time you start 3ds max, and have either run or bypassed the Authorization Wizard, the Graphics Driver Setup dialog is displayed. Some options on the dialog are unavailable if the appropriate hardware and drivers are not installed. Choose Software, the default driver, unless you want to use a different option supported by your video card.

can start 3ds max and go to Help > About 3ds max. The About 3ds max dialog shows you what driver is configured. If you see OpenGL, followed by the card manufacturers name, your card has specific OpenGL support. Direct3DUses a driver from the hardware manufacturer designed to work with hardware accelerators. This works only if DirectX 8.1 or DirectX 9 is installed and the display driver for your card supports it. In addition, this option works only with cards having at least 32 MB of memory.
Note: Clicking the Advanced Direct3D button opens the Direct3D Driver Setup

Your 3ds max License

11

dialog, where you can choose the Direct3D version and device. To exit this dialog and revert from using the Direct3D driver, click Revert From Direct3D.
Important: You must have DirectX 8.1 or DirectX 9 installed to use the Direct3D display driver. DirectX 9 is included on the 3ds max 6 and character studio 4 Installation CD. CustomUses a driver that has been supplied by the graphics-card manufacturer. The file must first be copied into the \drivers folder under \3dsmax6. Note: Configuring for a Custom driver may

System date and time Making changes to any of these components can cause a license error that requires you to reauthorize your copy of 3ds max. Several recommendations to avoid breaking your license are listed below. For additional information, see Frequently Asked Questions (page 25).

License Folder
When you install 3ds max, the installer adds a hidden license folder named c:\documents and settings\all users.winnt\application data\macrovision\safecast\product licenses.
Warning: Do not tamper with the license folder or any files within the folder.

result in an error message: Interactive 3D Renderer Failed. This usually means the graphics card does not support a custom driver; you should try configuring for OpenGL or Direct3D. If youre not sure which option gives you the best performance, try different graphics configurations by starting 3ds max from Windows Start > Programs > discreet > 3ds max 6 > Change Graphics Mode. Once you find a driver that gives you the best performance, start 3ds max using your normal shortcut. After you choose the display driver, 3ds max starts and is ready to use.

System Date and Time

When in trial mode, the 3ds max license allows for time changes within two days of the current time on your system clock. If you set the system clock back more than two days, the next time you start 3ds max, youre given the option of correcting the system clock. If you do not correct the system clock, a license error is generated, and must reauthorize the software.
Important: For security reasons, you can only set your clock back twice, at which point you will need to reauthorize your copy of the software.

Your 3ds max License

When you authorize 3ds max, only the computer you authorized it on is licensed to run that copy of the program. The licensing software uses the following components of the computer to identify the license rights: Hard disk where the operating system resides Files in the license folder

Updating System Components

If you make changes to your computer, or if you install a new computer, you need to take steps to ensure that you do not receive license errors.

12

3ds max 6 Installation Guide

Before making changes to your system, you should use the Portable License Utility (page 12) to export the license from your system.

To use the Portable License utility:

From the Windows Start menu > Programs > Autodesk, run the 3ds max 6 Portable License Utility. For more information about using the PLU, click Help on the PLU dialog. Or search for and open the file adsk_plu.chm.

Uninstalling 3ds max

The license information is not removed when you uninstall the software. If you reinstall on the same system, the 3ds max license information is still valid. You do not have to reauthorize.

Grace Period for an Emergency License

After the license has been moved to another computer, the Portable License utility has a twenty-four-hour grace period, during which time you can run 3ds max on the source computer after the license has been moved to another computer. When the grace period expires, however, the source computer cannot run 3ds max again until you complete a round trip of the license: once you have moved the license to the target computer, you need to move it from that computer back to the source computer. The grace period may not be available if you have recently used the emergency license on the source computer.

License Errors
If you do receive a license error, you will need to reauthorize your copy of 3ds max. You can use the Authorization Wizard to complete your request. Depending on the error, you may have a seven-day grace period, from the time of your license error, before you must reauthorize the product. After the seven-day grace period, you will not be able to use the software again, until you have entered a new authorization code. In certain cases, there is no grace period. If a new authorization code is needed, the Authorization Code dialog will appear when you start 3ds max. You can only choose to authorize the product if you encounter a licensing error.

Additional Installs
The second choice on the 3ds max 6 Installer Welcome screen lets you perform additional installs. On the Additional Installs panel, you are given four choices: Microsoft DirectX 9.0b, Autodesk License Manager, Internet Explorer 6, and QuickTime 6.1.

Portable License Utility

Your 3ds max license is valid on only one computer at a time. With the Portable License utility (PLU), you can transfer the license to another computer or transfer it back to the original computer. You must have administrative permissions to use the PLU.

Additional Docs

13

5.5 (or later) for you to view them. Therefore, weve provided an option to install Internet Explorer 6. To obtain more information about Internet Explorer, visit the Microsoft Web site at http://www.microsoft.com.

QuickTime 6.1
QuickTime 6.1 is required to run the 3ds max QuickTime plug-in. 3ds max software has the ability to read and write QuickTime MOV files only if the Apple QuickTime software is installed on your computer. Choose this option to install QuickTime support. If you want to run the QuickTime 6.1 setup program directly from the 3ds max program CD at a later time, go to the \qtime folder and run quicktimeinstaller.exe from there.
Note: During the QuickTime installation,

To install any one of them, click the name, then the Install button.

Microsoft DirectX 9.0b

If you want to use the latest Direct3D display driver, DirectX 9.0 must be installed on your system. If you do not have DirectX 9.0, you should install it here before you can choose Direct3D from the Driver Setup dialog.

Autodesk License Manager

The Autodesk License Manager setup installs the network license manager for 3ds max.

you choose to do a Recommended install in order to have read-and-write functionality of QuickTime files.

Additional Docs
The Additional Docs panel of the 3ds max 6 Installer gives you access to documents that are separate from the 3ds max online References and Tutorials.

Internet Explorer 6
The Internet Explorer 6 setup runs separately from the 3ds max installer. This allows you control of customization for Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer 5.5 (or later) is required for installing 3ds max. Also, the files installed for the 3ds max 6 User Reference, 3ds max 6 Tutorials, and MAXScript Reference require the HTML Help Viewer in Internet Explorer

14

3ds max 6 Installation Guide

From this panel, you can access the following: 3ds max 6 Product Readme Installation Guide (an electronic version of this document) 3ds max 6 New Features Guide Network Deployment Guide Network Licensing Guide SAMreport-Lite Users Guide

Youre instructed to exit the 3ds max 6 and character studio 4 Installer and insert the 3ds max 6 Partner Resources CD into the drive. You can then install the plug-ins you want from there. See 3ds max Partner Resources CD (page 19) for more information regarding plug-in content.

Deploying 3ds max to Multiple Systems

If youre planning to install 3ds max on multiple systems, such as a render farm or in a classroom environment, you have several options. The network-licensed version of 3ds max was developed for training facilities and software-testing labs. A standalone licensed version can be converted to a network-licensed version. Check with your Discreet Reseller for further information. If you do not want to convert your standalone license of 3ds max to a network license, the 3ds max 6 Installer now allows you direct access to the individual components you want to install on all the systems.

Partners
The Partners panel displays a list of plug-ins and utilities you can install from the 3ds max 6 Partner Resources CD. On this CD, you will find evaluation versions of some of the Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-ins, designed to bring you some of the most advanced plug-in solutions for 3ds max. You will also find Partner Plug-Ins that expand your modeling capabilities with 3ds max.

Upgrading/Updating Your Software

15

By specifying in a batch file such information as the type of software license you have and your serial number, you can script command-line instructions that will install or uninstall any of the components in 3ds max 6. When executed, the batch file will start the programmed silent installers and load the software to all the systems. Using a standalone-licensed version of 3ds max in a test lab or training environment can pose some unique problems when the systems need to be reset after tests are complete or classes are over. Special considerations need to be taken when installing and configuring. For more information, refer to the Network Deployment Guide. Also see the document, Step-by-Step Installation Procedure for Training Facilities at http://www.discreet.com/support/max. Search the knowledgebase for 612 (without the quotation marks; this is the number of that document).

need your previous serial number to obtain a new authorization code.

Updating 3ds max 6

3ds max has an automated method of checking for updates. If you open Windows Start menu > Programs > discreet > 3ds max 6, you can choose Check For Updates. If you have an active internet connection, this will open the Update Wizard.

Upgrading/Updating Your Software

To find out about whats new for this version of the software, refer to the 3ds max 6 New Features Guide, included in the box or accessible from the 3ds max Help menu. Additional information is available in the online User Reference (Whats New in 3ds max 6) and Tutorials (New Features and Improvements).

Clicking the Next button performs a search for any updates to the current version of software. You will be informed when the check is complete.

Upgrading from a Previous Version

If you are upgrading 3ds max, you do not need the previous version of 3ds max installed on your system. However, you will

Adding and Removing Components

Once you have installed 3ds max software on your system, you cannot install a second copy. You can only install components that

16

3ds max 6 Installation Guide

were not previously installed or you can uninstall components. To add or remove 3ds max or any of the components, you have to restart the 3ds max 6 Installer and choose to add or remove them from the 3ds max 6 install panel (page 4 ). When you restart the 3ds max 6 Installer, the installer checks for an existing installation of 3ds max. You will notice a subtle difference to the 3ds max 6 Install panel. The action list, at the right, shows you what components will remain installed or remain uninstalled.

Adding Components
To add a component after 3ds max has been installed, do the following:
1. Insert the 3ds max 6 and character studio

4 Installation CD. If Autorun does not start the 3ds max 6 Installer, browse the CD and double-click the CDsetup.exe file.
2. Click 3ds max 6 Install. 3. In the Component list, click the Add

button next to the components you want to install.

Note: Do not change any component that

is already set to Add. If you change a setting to Remove, that component will be uninstalled.
4. Click Install.

The selected component will be installed and available for your next design session.

Removing Components
Changing the Add or Remove status of the components updates the action list and tells you whether components will be installed or uninstalled when you click the Install button. Uninstalling components is similar to adding them. There are two ways of correctly uninstalling 3ds max 6 or any of its components. Choosing Remove on the 3ds max 6 Installer will uninstall the component from your system, removing most files and Windows registry entries from your hard drive. If you simply delete the 3ds max folders, you will not remove all program components.
Using the 3ds max 6 Installer 1. Insert the 3ds max 6 and character studio

4 Installation CD. If Autorun does not start the 3ds max 6 Installer, browse the CD and double click the CDsetup.exe file.

Program Maintenance

17

2. Click 3ds max 6 Install. 3. In the Component list, click the Remove

Special Considerations when Uninstalling Components

Neither method of uninstalling components for 3ds max will delete files that you have created. Therefore, any scenes that you store in the \3dsmax6\scenes or \3dsmax6\autoback folders, for example, will remain on the system. Likewise, files that contain customized settings or configuration data will not be removed. These types of files include the 3dsmax.ini, plugin.ini and network.log files. The software license manager will be removed during an uninstall of 3ds max.
Note: If you remove 3ds max from your

button next to the components you want to uninstall. Note the change in status in the action list at the right.
4. Click Install.

The installer for the selected components will be removed from the system. The second method of uninstalling is by using Add/Remove Programs
Using Add/Remove Programs 1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel. 2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs

Youll see an entry for each 3ds max 6 component that is currently installed.

system and reinstall it later, you will not have to reauthorize it. This is because the data file containing the code is safely stored on your local drive.

Program Maintenance
If you ever encounter a problem that prevents 3ds max 6 or any of its components from running, you can attempt to repair the problem without uninstalling and reinstalling the software. You should try to repair your software if you suspect some sort of file corruption, missing files, or corrupted registry entries.
3. Highlight the Component you want to

Repairing Components
You can only Repair components by opening the Windows Control Panel and starting Add/Remove Programs. From Add/Remove Programs, choose any of the 3ds max 6 components, and click the Change button.

remove and click the Remove button.

4. Click Yes when you are asked if you are

sure you want to remove the component. The installation of the selected components will be removed from the system.

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3ds max 6 Installation Guide

User Reference
The 3ds max 6 User Reference documents the program. Once you have the program running, choose Help menu > User Reference. The User Reference has been updated for this version of the software.

Tutorials
To view the 3ds max 6 Tutorials online while you are using the program, choose Help menu > Tutorials. The Tutorials have been updated for this version of the software. Tutorial sample files are located on the Tutorial And Sample Files CD in the \tutorials folder. The 3ds max 6 Installer does not install any of the tutorial sample files to your system. As you need them, copy the files to your hard disk and then delete them when you have finished the tutorials. Suggested location: \3dsmax6\tutorials. For your convenience, a slightly smaller subset of the 3ds max 6 Tutorials topics is provided in a single printed volume that you can read offline.

Repair reinstalls the component (based on your current installation configuration), in order to replace any files, registry keys, or shortcuts that might have been damaged. If an existing file is newer than a file normally used to repair it, the existing file isnt changed. In other words, if youve applied a patch, a repair will not restore the system to an earlier state.
Note: Preferences stored in the registry

might be reset to default values.

3ds max 6 Online Documentation

You can access the online documentation from within 3ds max using commands on the Help menu. If, for some reason, you want to view the online documentation from outside the program, you can run the files from Windows Start > Programs > discreet group. Internet Explorer 6 is needed to view the files. However, an Internet connection is not required. These files are installed along with the core 3ds max software, and have a .chm file-name extension. The online documentation is located in the \3dsmax6\help folder.

MAXScript Reference
To see complete information about MAXScript, choose Help menu > MAXScript Reference. The MAXScript Reference is provided online only, as a compiled HTML Help file.
Note: The MAXScript Reference has been updated for the most recent versions of the 3ds max and character studio software.

3ds max Partner Resources CD

19

3ds max Partner Resources CD

This release of 3ds max contains a Partner Resources CD which includes full-featured import/export tools from and Okino Computer Graphics for import/export support for MultiGen-Paradigms OpenFlight file format along with the ArchVision RPC plug-in and sample content, Bionatics EASYnat plug-in and sample plants and install access to Criterion Softwares RenderWare Visualizers plug-ins for the Sony PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Xbox video game consoles. The Partner Resources CD also includes evaluation versions of many of the Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-ins compatible with 3ds max 6 software. Finally, you can find character studio samples and tutorials along with other miscellaneous benchmark files and the installer for Adobe Acrobat Reader on the Partner Resources CD. If you are currently performing an installation of 3ds max 6 and want to install plug-ins contained on the 3ds max 6 Partner Resources CD, you first have to exit the 3ds max 6 Installer and put the 3ds max 6 Partner Resources CD in the drive. The 3ds max 6 Partners Welcome screen is displayed where you can choose to install plug-ins from Discreet Third-Party Plug-in Partners (page 19) or plug-ins from the Discreet Certified Plug-ins program (page 20). You can also choose to manually browse the CD.

Partners
The Partners panel of the 3ds max 6 Partner Resources CD gives you access to plug-ins and tools developed by some of the key Discreet key third-party partners. These plug-ins offer you the latest technologies a 3ds max artist would need, from detailing a scene, importing a model from another program, or seeing what a model will look like when exported to a gaming platform.

The following can be found and installed from the Partners panel: EASYnat, from Bionatics, offers a lifelike plant modeling solution that allows you to drop virtual seeds from

20

3ds max 6 Installation Guide

the included samples and "grow" them in your model. Turbo Squid, from TurboSquid, is free software you can use to buy and sell digital assets. It provides access to a strong community of graphics professional and a growing library of over 70,000 models, motion capture files, maps, sounds, plug-ins and more. For more information, visit the Turbo Squid Web site at http://www.turbosquid.com. RPC, from ArchVision, lets you add photorealistic objects (such as cars, people, etc.) from the included ArchVision sample CD to your renderings. A demo version of PolyTrans, from Okino Computer Graphics, lets you evaluate dozens of CAD, DCC and VisSim data converters directly within 3ds max. PolyTrans OpenFlight Import and Export plug-in, from Okino Computer Graphics, lets you import and export OpenFlight data without any restrictions. Criterion 3ds max RenderWare Visualizers, from Criterion, enables artists who are creating content for Sony Playstation and Microsoft Xbox video game consoles to preview artwork on target development platforms.

designed to bring you some of the most advanced plug-in solutions for the software.

The following can be found and installed from the Discreet Certified Plug-ins panel: AfterBurn 3.0, from Sitni Sati, is a production-proven volumetric particle effects engine that has been used in producing effects for top rated cinematic productions and games. Absolute Character Tools 1.6 Pro, from Snoswell Design, is a sophisticated musculature system for 3ds max that helps you add extra realism and believability to characters that you create and animate. DreamScape 2.0, from Sitni Sati, is a unique plug-in tool for interactively creating and rendering realistic landscapes, seascapes, skies, clouds, outdoor lighting and more. finalToon, from cebas GmbH, is a fully featured cartoon and technical illustration renderer, with unparalleled line quality and rendering speed.

Discreet Certified Plug-Ins

The 3ds max 6 Partner Resources CD also contains evaluation versions of some of the Discreet Certified 3ds max Plug-Ins that are

The 3ds max Tutorial and Sample Files CD

21

HumanIK, from Kaydara, brings characters to life in minutes with this robust character animation tool that supports all MOCAP file formats allowing users to concentrate on the aesthetics of motion. Kaldera, from Mankua, is a powerful 3ds max texturing plug-in that gives users the ability to render full scene information into special texture maps based on scene information. finalRender Stage-1, from cebas Gmbh, is an outstanding rendering system which enables users of 3ds max to create rendering effects with unmatched global illumination, raytracing, and motion blur. Texture Layers, from Mankua, is an advanced mapping and texturing suite composed of a UVW Mapping layering tool and a powerful Compositor Map material for material blending between mapping layers.

can install it from the 3ds max 6 and character studio 4 Installation CD. To use any of the files on this CD, simply copy or drag them to your own computer. Files from the Tutorial And Sample Files CD are uncompressed and are not installed when you run the 3ds max 6 Installer.
Important: Sample files on the Tutorial And Sample Files CD have their file attributes set to Read-only, even if you copy them to your local drive. Attempting to save a sample file using the same name will result in an error unless you change the file attribute to Archive. Refer to your operating system documentation to learn how to change file attributes, if necessary.

When you want to use the 3ds max tutorials, we recommend creating a \tutorials folder under \3dsmax6 on your system and copying the related tutorial files into that folder. For character studio, you should create a \tutorials folder under \3dsmax6\cstudio. To free up disk space, you can delete these files from your system after youve used them. You also can access these files any time directly from the CD.

The 3ds max Tutorial and Sample Files CD

The third disk included in the product box is the 3ds max Tutorial And Sample Files CD. It contains all of the tutorial sample files, as well as additional scenes, images, maps, sounds, and MAXScript files for you to use while learning and experimenting with 3ds max or character studio.
Note: In order to view the tutorial documentation electronically, you need to have Internet Explorer installed. You

Adobe Acrobat Reader

You will need to install the Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view the printable (PDF) versions of this Installation Guide and the New Features Guide. To install Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can insert the Partner Resources CD in the drive and choose to install it from the Additional Installs panel. You can also run ar405eng.exe manually from the \adobe_acrobat folder.

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3ds max 6 Installation Guide

Samples
The samples include maps and material library files. Sample files can be found on the 3ds max 6 and character studio 4 Tutorials And Sample Files CD. The total collection of sample files is quite large and you can manually copy them to your hard drive.

Read This First card 3ds max 6 Installation Guide Printed manuals and documentation, including: 3ds max 6 New Features Guide 3ds max 6 Tutorials Printable PDF files, in the \manuals folder: 3ds max 6 and character studio 4 Installation Guide 3ds max 6 New Features Guide
Note: Also refer to the 3ds max Documentation

Tutorial Sample Files

The tutorial sample files are for use with specific tutorials provided as part of the documentation set for the 3ds max and character studio products. Included are scenes, maps, material libraries, and sound files to use while you follow the lessons. When you are ready to go through the tutorials, copy these files from the \tutorials folder on the Tutorial And Sample Files CD. Copied to your hard disk to a folder that you create, such as \3dsmax6\tutorials or \3dsmax6\cstudio\tutorials.

Set topic in the online User Reference file for details regarding the documentation included with 3ds max.

Installation Troubleshooting
Adding a Command-Line Switch to the Executable Line
1. From within Explorer, My Computer,

Whats in the Box

The regular and update units of 3ds max 6 typically contain the components listed in this section. If you believe any items are missing, please contact your Discreet Reseller immediately. This list is subject to change without notice, and collateral material might be different.

or the Desktop, right-click the icon for 3ds max 6 or its shortcut. A shortcut menu appears.
2. Choose Properties.

The Properties dialog appears.

3. In the Target text box, add the

command-line switch after the program path and executable file name. For example: c:\3dsmax6\3dsmax.exe -h.
4. Click OK.

3ds max 6 Box

A Media Folder containing: 3ds max 6 and character studio 4 Installation CD 3ds max 6 Partner Resources CD 3ds max 6 and character studio 4 Tutorials And Sample Files CD

The command-line switch takes effect the next time you run the program from the shortcut. To see a complete list of command-line switches and their functions, see Starting

Support

23

3ds max from the Command Line in the User Reference.

Calculating the Appropriate Swap-File Setting

A good rule of thumb for configuring your Windows swap file is three times the amount of physical memory (RAM) on your system. When you output to high-resolution film or print work, the demands will be much higher than for video resolutions. This is especially true when using Image Motion Blur. Many users dedicate entire hard drives or partitions as swap files. Setting swap files in this manner avoids any fragmentation of the swap file. It is very important that you have sufficient swap space set aside. A common cause of system instability is an improperly sized swap file.

Additional troubleshooting documentation is available in Diagnosing the Interactive 3D Renderer initialization failed error at http://www.discreet.com/support/ 3dsmax. Search the knowledgebase for 454 (without the quotation marks; this is the number of that document).

Error: TCP/IP error or Transport error The network protocol TCP/IP is not configured properly.
This error indicates an issue with your computers network configuration. Refer to the Setting Up TCP/IP topic in the User Reference for help, or http://www.discreet.com/support/max. Search the knowledgebase for 470 (without the quotation marks; this is the number of that document). For addition FAQ information, see Frequently Asked Questions on page 25.

Possible Error Messages at Startup

Error: Interactive 3D Renderer initialization failed. Please check your device settings by using the H command line option.
This error indicates that the video setting is incorrect. To fix this, do one of the following: Go to Windows Start > Programs > discreet > 3ds max and choose Change Video Mode Go to Windows Start > Run > Browse and choose \3dsmax6\3dsmax.exe. In the Run dialog, add -h to change the command to \3dsmax6\3dsmax.exe -h, and click OK to start the program. Choose Software when prompted. Also see Adding a Command-Line Switch to the Executable Line, above.

Support
World Wide Authorized Discreet Resellers
Your local Authorized Discreet Reseller is an excellent source for support and information about 3ds max, as well as training and assistance on related hardware and software. To locate an Authorized Discreet Reseller near you, please visit the reseller look-up on the Discreet Web site at: http://www.discreet.com/resellers. You can also call 1-800-869-3504 (toll-free number for some international locations) or 1-514-393-1616, or send a FAX to 1-514-954-7399.

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3ds max 6 Installation Guide

Discreet Online Support World-Wide

Information and assistance are available on our peer-to-peer 3ds max Online Discussion Forum. To visit the 3ds max Forum, go to http://support.discreet.com, or from the 3ds max Help menu, choose 3ds max on the Web > Online Support.

30-Day Free Support*

Registered clients of full commercial versions of the product are entitled to receive free email and telephone support for 30 consecutive days starting with the product registration and authorization. You are automatically registered when you authorize your software. Please have your product serial number ready when you contact Discreet Support. * Extended Support offerings currently available in United States, Canada, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

Assistance from Discreet Authorized Resellers

Local resellers are an excellent source for support and information about Discreet products, as well as for training and assistance on related hardware and software. To locate a reseller near you, please visit the reseller look-up on the Discreet Web site at www.discreet.com/resellers. You can also dial: 1.514.393.1616 (International) 800.869.3504 (toll-free for some international locations) 866.317.1011 (toll-free North America) Fax: 514.954.7399

3ds max Software Development Kit

Information on the 3ds max Software Development Kit (SDK) is available on our peer-to-peer SDK Forum on the World Wide Web. To visit the SDK Forum, use the Discreet Online Forum Web site at: http://support.discreet.com/. Dedicated SDK marketing and development support for third-party developers is available from the Discreet Sparks program Web site at: http://sparks.discreet.com.

Support Options from Discreet*

To locate a Discreet Technical Assistance Center near you, local support email and telephone information, hours of operation, and to learn more about extended support offerings and annual contracts available in your region, please visit our Web site at http: //www.discreet.com/support/3dsmax, or contact your Discreet Reseller for more details. * Extended Support offerings currently available in United States, Canada, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

Discreet Official Training Centers

Whether you are an advanced user and work in the industry or a beginner and want to learn the basics of Discreet software, Discreet Training Centers (DTCs) have a class designed for you. Classes offered at DTCs are short, intensive, and geared toward getting you the best training possible. To search for a DTC near you, check our Web site at: http://www.discreet.com/training/ index.html.

Frequently Asked Questions

25

Discreet Official Training Courseware

Discreet now produces a series of Fundamental and Advanced Level Courseware for its award-wining products. Whether you want to teach 3ds max, character studio, or combustion, Discreet has courseware for you. For the most updated information, please visit us at: http://www.discreet.com/courseware.

Q. Does character studio also have a trial period?

You can use character studio in trial mode as long as 3ds max is also in trial mode. Once 3ds max is authorized, the trial period for character studio is void.

Q. Does an uninstall/reinstall require a new authorization code?

No. The license rights to the application are contained in locations that are not removed in a standard uninstall process. When reinstallation happens, the previous license rights to the application are restored.

Frequently Asked Questions

Installation Questions
Q. Does 3ds max have to be installed on my c: drive?
No. By default, 3ds max will install to the drive containing the most free disk space. If that drive happens to be c:, then the installer assumes you want to install to a folder named c:\3dsmax6. You are given the opportunity to change drive location and folder name. If you choose to change drive location, be sure that you also have a folder name specified. If the installer recognizes d: as having the most space, but you want the software installed on c:, make sure an entire path to c:\3dsmax6 is specified. If you simply type c:, you run the risk of installing the program directly into your systems root folder.

Q. Will I have to reauthorize my third-party applications whenever I reauthorize 3ds max?

No. Once authorized, third-party applications shouldnt need reauthorization. If, for some reason, you need to reauthorize your license of 3ds max, third-party applications will operate correctly once 3ds max is running again.

Q. Will a reinstall of the product provide a new 30-day trial period?

No.

Q. What if I need to get authorization for my product during non-business hours?

3ds max includes an electronic registration and authorization feature that allows users (in some geographic locations) to obtain an authorization code at any time.

Authorization Questions
Q. Will 3ds max 6 work without authorization, when first installed?
Yes, however, the product will only work without authorization during the initial 30-day trial period, which begins when you first start the program.

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3ds max 6 Installation Guide

Q. In case I need to reauthorize my copy of 3ds max, can I use the original authorization code?
No. The authorization code is unique in every instance and cannot be used more than once.

utility that loads with the DirectX drivers. From the Windows Start menu choose Run. In the Open field, type dxdiag.exe. This utility will display a dialog showing you which version of DirectX youve currently got installed. If its an older version, you can install DirectX 9 drivers from the 3ds max 6 and 3ds max Installation CD under Additional Installs (page 12).

General Questions
Q. Can a file created in 3ds max 6 be opened with an earlier version of 3ds max?
Not directly. Files saved in the .max format are only upwardly compatible. You can try File > Export from 3ds max 6.0 and use File > Import in an earlier version of 3ds max, but some data may be lost.

Q. Why do I receive an I/O error when I try to save one of the sample files?
The sample files are saved in an uncompressed format which allows you to copy them easily to your local drive. This requires that they are saved with Read-only attributes. There are two ways to solve this: Change the file attributes to Archive. To learn how to change attributes, refer to your operating system manual. Do not attempt to save over the original file. Use File > Save As instead, and specify a different file name or click the + button to increment the name of the file.

Q. How do I verify my display configuration?

There are two ways to check your current display configuration. You can start 3ds max and open Help > About 3ds max. The About 3ds max dialog displays driver information. You can also check the current configuration by starting 3ds max and opening Customize > Preferences > Viewports tab. Display Driver information is shown at the bottom of the dialog. If you want, you can click Choose Driver to change graphic drivers. The change will take place the next time you start the program. You can also quickly change drivers by starting 3ds max from Windows Start > Programs > discreet > 3ds max 6 > Change Graphics Mode.

Q. I see that there is a Backburner 2.1 listed in Add/Remove Programs. What will happen if I uninstall Backburner 2.1?
Choosing to remove this component will uninstall all the backburner executable files, but the registry settings remain. You can perform a Repair of 3ds max from Windows Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs. Choose the entry for 3ds max 6 and then click the Change button.

Q. My graphic card supports DirectX. How do I check the version of my DirectX drivers?
If your graphic card supports DirectX and you have drivers loaded, you can run a

Frequently Asked Questions

27

Q. After removing 3ds max 5.1 and backburner 2.1 from my system, installing 3ds max 6 is forcing backburner to be installed in a \3dsmax5 folder. Why?
When backburner is installed, it looks at the registry settings. Registry settings for previous installations of backburner remain on the system. In order to reset the path where backburner will get installed, youll have to edit the registry. Use the following steps.
1. From Windows Start > Run, type

find out what type of license you have, start 3ds max and click Help > About 3ds max. The About 3ds max dialog shows you information about your software and license. Most Commercial versions of 3ds max are authorized as Permanent while Educational versions are typically authorized with a Term Limit.

Q. How do I move my license from one machine to another?

The Portable License Utility (PLU) facilitates this. (If you are familiar with the old hardware lock, you can think of this as moving the hardware lock from one machine to another.) To get a feel for the PLU, you can export to your own PC, and then import it back again! Follow these steps:
1. Start PLU, go to the Import page,

regedit.exe and click OK.

2. Browse the registry of your computer

to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Discreet > backburner > 2.0.

3. Modify the CfgPath variable and set

it to the path where you would like backburner installed. For example, if it currently reads c:\3dsmax5\backburner 2\network\nrapi.conf, changing it to c:\program files\backburner 2\network\nrapi.conf will install backburner to where 3ds max 6 would install it on a brand new system.
Note: You dont have to change the InstallDir

highlight the Machine Identification Code (MIC) of your PC, right-click, and copy it to the clipboard.
2. On the Pool page, click Add, enter a

name for your PC, then in the MIC field, right-click and paste in your MIC.
3. On the Export page, expand the + sign

registry entry. Resetting the CfgPath will update the InstallDir value.

under your license, highlight your PCs name, and click Export (youre forced to use the file method the first time).
4. Now, try to run 3ds max, and see the

License and Portable License Utility Questions

Q. How can I find out what type of license I own?
The standalone version of 3ds max can be authorized using several types of software license. 3ds max can be authorized with a permanent or non-permanent license. To

message you get.

5. Run the PLU, and on the Import page,

import the file you just created.

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3ds max 6 Installation Guide

Q. I export back and forth from home all the time, and Im tired of writing floppy disks all the time. Is there another way?
Yes. The first time you export to another PC, you have to write the file (and it can be anywhere, on a floppy, or shared network drive). But after that, you can use the Transfer Code instead. Export normally, but instead of entering a file name, on the Export Type Selection dialog, choose the Transfer Code option. Write down the code and click Transfer. On the other PC, choose Transfer Code again on the Import page, and enter the code.
Note: Transfer codes cant be reused; youll

Q. Importing a license file, I get error 1291, The supplied import data is now obsolete. A more up-to-date version probably exists. What do I do?
The license file is continuously updated every time its exported, imported, or the product is run. You have to be using the very latest version of the license file at all times. Lets say on PC1 you export to a floppy. Now the floppy has the latest version. When you import that on PC2, the license on PC2 is now the latest version. If you tried to import that same floppy again, youd get a 1291 error, because its now obsolete. Otherwise, you could export to PC3, and then re-import from this floppy again: trying to make two licenses where you only have one.

get a new one each time.

Q. I exported my license, writing the file on a floppy disk, and now I lost the floppy disk (or its unreadable), and I cant run on either PC.
On the PC where you last worked, run the PLU and export the license again, and make a new floppy. This works because it remembers which PC you exported it to. You can only re-export to the same PC.

Q. On import, I get error 1290, The supplied data is not destined for this machine. Please check that the file has been transferred to the correct machine.
Heres how this can happen. On PC1, you select PC2 and export to it, creating a floppy. You take that floppy to PC3 and try to import. Sorry: it wasnt intended to go to PC3. This restriction is necessary for security reasons. If you want the license on PC3, youll have to import on PC2, and then export it, selecting PC3 as the destination.

Q. I exported my license by mistake to a PC that no longer exists, or to a PC that was lost or stolen, and cant run. My computer had a serious hard-disk or BIOS failure. What should I do?
Contact the Autodesk registration center directly by phone, fax, email, or online. A technician will help you re-initiate your 3ds max license.

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Q. Im going to make a major hardware modification to my PC, such as changing the main hard disk, the motherboard, or upgrading the BIOS. (Making a more serious change than just adding memory or changing the video card, which doesnt require reauthorization). How can I avoid breaking my license and having to reauthorize it?
You can save a support call by parking your license on another PC temporarily. Export your license to another PC, and then make your modifications. Before importing the license back, run the PLU on your modified PC, and on the Import page, double-check the MIC. If a drastic enough change has been made, the MIC might have been changed. If so, youll have to update the new MIC in the pool entry for this PC on the machine where the license was parked, before exporting back.

Note: Only the plug-in information is transferred. Not the actual license.

Q. My system had a major failure that required me to reload the operating system. There was no chance to park the license. What are my options for recovering my license?
If the hard drive is damaged beyond recovery, it is unlikely the license will still be retrievable. You will have to resubmit to get a new authorization code after the operating system is reloaded.

Q. Does the PLU work with third-party applications?

If you use the PLU to transfer your 3ds max license, the ability to run the plug-ins is also transferred. This means that if the plug-ins are installed on the transferred machine, they can be made functional by using the same plug-in authorization as the original machine.