Autodesk Developer Network

Autodesk® 3ds Max®

Autodesk 3ds Max provides a rich and powerful API that can be used to automate repetitive tasks, and to extend the core functionality of 3ds Max. This functionality includes customization of 3D modeling, animation, visual effects, rendering, and many other areas. .NET API Assemblies are provided to allow automation style programming. The Software Development Kit (SDK) provides extensive C++ functionality and provides code samples and documentation to help you get started developing with the API for Autodesk 3ds Max. Read more...

Community

Blogs

Discussion Groups

Get news, expert tips and insider resources directly from Autodesk software engineers

3ds Max related blogs:

“3D SDK and Scripting Mayhem” – Christopher Diggins blog that often refers to 3ds Max, but also considers many other technologies.

“Max Station”: Learn Tips and tricks from the Autodesk product support team.

“Louis Marcoux Tutorials”: A great series of tutorial style entries from a true expert, Louis Marcoux.

Take part in active API discussion forums moderated by Autodesk software engineers.

Autodesk 3ds Max SDK
Autodesk 3ds Max MaxScript
Others

Improve your experience with 3ds Max

Report a bug or suggest a feature.

Showcase

Partners’ Apps for 3ds Max: Easily extend the power of 3ds Max using apps created for the end user community.

Cloud Computing: Find out how to develop and integrate Cloud Computing (for example, Software as a Service) solutions with your plug-in applications.

Learning

Video based Tutorials:

Samples and Documentation:


3ds Max SDK Training Webcast Archive
A complete 3ds Max SDK training on developing plug-ins based on C++ is provided in ten 1 hour segments. It includes exercises with solved projects.

English: Download
Japanese: Download
Training material: Download

DevTV: Introduction to 3ds Max SDK
This is a two-part video series that demonstrates fundamental aspects to the 3ds Max SDK by implementing a simple exporter.

English: Download
Japanese: Download


  • Learn more about 3ds Max API through 3ds Max SDK samples found in 3ds Max SDK.
  • There is also the online 3ds Max documentation which you can learn from: 3ds Max SDK Documentation
  • There is general product support information from: 3ds Max Knowledge base

Tools & Documentation archives

The 3ds Max SDK is included in every 3ds Max release. There are two ways to install the 3ds Max SDK:

  • After the 3ds Max product installation, from the main page of the 3ds Max installer, click “Install Tools and Utilities” and choose “3ds Max Software Development Kit”.
  • Alternatively, you can also find the SDK in the extraction folder,
    under: <extraction folder>\<platform>\Tools\MAXSDK\SDK_3dsMax<version>.msi

Training and Support

If you need more professional customization support, consider joining the Autodesk Developer Network.

To request Autodesk 3ds Max customization training, email adn-training-worldwide@autodesk.com