3dsmax5_IG.

book Page i Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

VERSION FIVE
www.discreet.com 5
INSTALLATION GUIDE

12808-010000-5010A
July 2002
3dsmax5_IG.book Page ii Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

Copyright © 2002 Autodesk, Inc.

All Rights Reserved
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3dsmax5_IG.book Page iii Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

3ds max 5 Installation Guide . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Application Maintenance . . . . . . . . . 12

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Modifying 3ds max 5 ....................................12
System Requirements......................................1 Repairing 3ds max.........................................12
Removing 3ds max ........................................12
Installing 3ds max 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3ds max 5 Online Documentation . . 13
Before You Begin .............................................2
Choose Setup Program ...................................3 User Reference ...............................................13
Setup Type ........................................................4 Tutorials ..........................................................13
Select Features Dialog .....................................5 MAXScript Reference....................................13
Ready to Begin Install .....................................6 The Learning and Training CD . . . . . . 13
Starting 3ds max 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Adobe Acrobat Reader .................................14
Authorizing 3ds max.......................................6 Samples ...........................................................14
Tutorial Sample Files ....................................14
Configuring Display Drivers . . . . . . . . . 7
What’s in the Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Your 3ds max 5 License . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Portable License Utility (PLU) .......................9
Adding a Command-Line Switch to the
Installing Additional Programs . . . . . . 10
Executable Line ...........................................15
QuickTime 5 ...................................................10 Calculating the Appropriate Swap-File
DirectX 8.1.......................................................10 Setting ...........................................................15
Microsoft Internet Explorer..........................10 Possible Error Messages at Startup.............15
Turbo Squid ....................................................11
Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
reactor 1.4 for 3ds max 5 ...............................11
character studio..............................................11 World Wide Authorized Discreet
backburner......................................................11 Resellers........................................................16
Online Support over the
Upgrading from a Previous Version . . 12
World Wide Web ........................................16
3dsmax5_IG.book Page iv Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

iv Contents

Technical Support..........................................16
3ds max 5 Software Development Kit ........16
Discreet Official Training Centers. . . . 17
Discreet Official Training Courseware .......17
Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . 17
General Questions .........................................17
Software Licensing Questions .....................18
3dsmax5_IG.book Page 1 Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

System Requirements
Introduction Before you begin the install process, make
This guide provides information for sure your system meets the minimum
installing and starting 3ds max™ 5. In operating requirements for 3ds max.
addition to describing steps to install the • Computer—AMD™ or Intel® -compatible
program quickly, it includes information processor, running at 300 megahertz or
about system requirements and better. 3ds max takes advantage of
troubleshooting. It also tells you how to set additional processors, if present.
up network environments, as well as how to
uninstall the program. • RAM—Minimum 256 megabytes (MB) and
300MB swap file size. Recommended is
See “Frequently Asked Questions” on 1 GB and 2 GB swap file size. The
page 17 to address many common questions complexity of your scene impacts the
about, and issues with, the installation and amount of RAM you will need to maintain
use of 3ds max. performance.
Important: This guide covers only installation of • Display—Graphics card supporting a
3ds max for single users (standalone licenses). minimum resolution of 1024 x 768 x 16-bit
For information about installation and color. Recommended resolution is 1280 x
registration or authorization of network-licensed 1024 x 24-bit color. (256-color mode is not
versions of the software, see the Discreet supported.)
Network Administrator’s Guide. To view this file,
• OpenGL® and Direct3D® hardware
go to the program CD, navigate to
acceleration is supported with graphics
3dsmax\netsetup\support\adlm\docs\, and
cards having a minimum of 32 MB of
open discreet_netguide.chm. You can also view
memory.
this file by starting the Network Setup Wizard from
the Choose Setup Program dialog, and then • Operating system—Microsoft® Windows®
clicking View The Network Administrator Guide. 2000 (Service Pack 2 recommended) or
Windows XP Professional.
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2 3ds max 5 Installation Guide

Note: 3ds max 5 will operate on Microsoft • Other—To authorize 3ds max 5 and to view
Windows 98, Windows Millenium the online help systems, you must have
Edition, and Windows NT® 4, however Internet Explorer® 5.5 (or later) already
not all features are supported. present. Internet Explorer 6 is provided on
the program CD.
You must have administrative
permissions to install the 3ds max You also need QuickTime® 4.1.2 (or later)
software. to run the QuickTime plug-in.
QuickTime 5 is on the program CD.
• Free hard disk space—Typically 400 MB of
free hard disk space for installation. This See “QuickTime 5” on page 10 for more
varies according to the custom information.
components you choose to install.
Important: The Windows swap file size should
be a minimum of 300 MB. Recommended Installing 3ds max 5
swap file size is three times the amount of
physical RAM on your computer. Depending
Before You Begin
on scene complexity, more Windows swap
space might be desirable. When you install 3ds max 5, you will choose
from three different installation options
• CD-ROM—Required for loading software,
(Typical, Compact, and Custom) that
and needed for access to tutorial and
sample files. determine which components are installed.
The components are stored as compressed
• Sound card and speakers—Required for files on the program CD, so you must run the
listening to sound tracks. Setup program to install 3ds max.
• Pointing device—Microsoft-compatible
pointing device. 3ds max 5 has special What You Need to Proceed with
optimizations for a three-button mouse or Installation
Microsoft Intellimouse® . • Serial Number
Important: Make sure you are using the most • CD Key
current driver for your pointing device. The
best method to obtain the most current driver Note: The Serial Number and CD Key are
for any peripheral you are using is to go to the found on the product packaging.
manufacturer’s Web site and download it
Administrative permissions are required for
from there.
the following operations:
• Network (Optional)—A TCP/IP-configured
• Installing the 3ds max 5 package,
network for use in network rendering.
including the User Reference and Tutorials,
Network rendering is not available on
and the MAXScript Reference (online help
Windows 98 or Windows ME systems.
files).
Note: To use network licensing, a network
• Loading and registering files that let you
must be present.
view FLC, FLI™ , and CEL files.
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Installing 3ds max 5 3

• Installing network-rendering services.

• Modifying, repairing, or removing
3ds max 5.
• Importing and exporting your 3ds max 5
license with the Portable License Utility.
To install 3ds max 5:
1. Ensure that you have sufficient free space
on your c: drive for the 3ds max 5
temporary installation files
(approximately 400 MB for a Typical
install).
2. Close all programs before running the
Setup program.
3. Insert the 3ds max 5 CD into the CD-ROM
drive. Choose an option and then click its button to
4. If Autorun does not start the Setup begin installation. For more information on
program, open the Windows taskbar, installing programs other than 3ds max and
choose Start, then Run. Enter the CD-ROM associated software, see “Installing
drive letter, followed by :\setup (for Additional Programs” on page 10.
example: d:\setup), and then press Important: This guide covers only installation of
ENTER. 3ds max for single users (standalone licenses). For
You can also run the Setup program from information about the options for installation of
My Computer or Windows Explorer by network-licensed versions of the software, found
navigating to the 3ds max 5 CD-ROM in the Choose Setup Program dialog under “For
drive and double-clicking setup.exe. network license administrators only,” see the
Discreet Network Administrator’s Guide. To view
Choose Setup Program this file, go to the program CD-ROM, navigate to
3dsmax\netsetup\support\adlm\docs\, and
When you run the Setup program, you see
open discreet_netguide.chm. You can also view
the Choose Setup Program dialog, which lets
this file by starting the Network Setup Wizard from
you choose the program you want to install.
the Choose Setup Program dialog, and then
You are given these choices: 3ds max 5 clicking View The Network Administrator Guide.
(including character studio® 3.4); Note: You must have Internet Explorer 5.5 (or
QuickTime; DirectX® 8.1; Internet Explorer 6; later) on your system to authorize your
and Turbo Squid. Network administrators software and to read the online
also have the option to start the Network documentation. If you don’t have IE 5.5 (or
Setup Wizard or install the Autodesk® later) already installed, you should install it
License Manager tools and documentation.
3dsmax5_IG.book Page 4 Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

4 3ds max 5 Installation Guide

now, before you install 3ds max. Click the 6. In the User Information dialog, enter the
Internet Explorer button in the Choose Setup appropriate information to personalize
Program dialog to install IE 6. your installation.
1. To install 3ds max, click the If you are running 3ds max with Windows
3ds max 5 button. 2000, you can install the software so that
anyone who uses the computer can run
Note: If the Windows installer is not
3ds max, or you can set it so that only you
installed on your system, it will be
can use the program, using the radio
automatically installed and you will be
buttons at the bottom of this dialog.
prompted to restart.
7. Be sure to note the destination directory
2. Follow the on-screen instructions.
and the file path on the Destination Folder
3. A Welcome dialog is displayed reminding dialog. If you want to specify another
you to exit all other Windows programs, directory or folder destination, click
and giving you options to cancel the Browse and enter a new drive or path. The
installation or view the Readme file. Click Setup program creates a new directory for
Next to continue. you, if needed.
If you want to view the Readme file later, Important: If you're upgrading from a previous
you can open it from the program group version of 3ds max, you must install 3ds max 5
where 3ds max is installed. If you don’t into a new directory. Do not install over a
read it at this time, be sure to read it later. previous release.

4. In the Software License Agreement dialog,

read and accept the License Agreement,
Setup Type
and then click Next to continue the The Setup Type dialog gives you three types
installation process. of installation for 3ds max: Typical, Compact,
5. When the Serial Number dialog appears,
and Custom. When prompted, choose the
enter the Serial Number and CD Key setup type you want to run.
found on the 3ds max product packaging.
The CD Key is not case-sensitive. If you
get an error message, make sure you have
entered the Serial Number and CD Key
correctly. Click Next to continue.
Note: You can enter 000-00000000 as a
Serial Number (with no CD Key) to run in
trial mode. Trial mode lets you use
3ds max 5 and character studio for up to
30 days.
3dsmax5_IG.book Page 5 Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

Installing 3ds max 5 5

Note: Each setup type provides a Important: The 3ds max 5 SDK is not included in
recommended set of features to install, the Custom setup by default. If you want to install
depending on your use of the product. If you the SDK, you must choose it manually from the
choose Custom, you have the option to Select Features dialog.
customize the specific features installed. For
this reason, a Custom install is the only way Select Features Dialog
to install the 3ds max 5 SDK.

Typical Install
A Typical setup installs all 3ds max and
character studio program files, the help
system files, all tutorials (including some of
the 3ds max tutorial .max files; all of these
files are located on the Learning and Training
CD), most sample files, and the software
license manager, by default.
• Choose Typical if you want to install the
most common options. This is
recommended for most users.
Choosing a Custom setup type opens the
Compact Install Select Features dialog, which allows you to
A Compact setup installs all 3ds max and see the features to be installed on your
character studio program files, the help system. Click Next to install the defaults, or
system files, and the software license customize your installation by adding or
manager, by default. removing selected features.
• Choose Compact to install 3ds max on The following features are available in the
dedicated render stations, for network- Select Features dialog:
rendering purposes, or if you don't want • 3ds max—3ds max 5 program files. You
to install other components that take up can install the 3ds max and MAXScript
disk space. “Compact” installs only the documentation, the reactor™ 1.4 program
minimum required options. This is files and documentation, sample files, the
recommended for network rendering. backburner™ program files, and the
3ds max 5 SDK individually.
Custom Install
• character studio—character studio for
A Custom setup installs all 3ds max and 3ds max 5. You can install the
character studio program files, the help character studio Online Reference and
system files, all tutorials, all sample files, and application files individually.
the software license manager, by default.
3dsmax5_IG.book Page 6 Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

6 3ds max 5 Installation Guide

To modify the installation of a feature:

1. Click the button next to the feature. Starting 3ds max 5
2. In the menu that appears, choose how the To start 3ds max for the first time:
feature should be installed: 1. If you did not reboot your system
•Will be installed on local hard drive: following installation, do so now.
Installs the selected feature only. 2. Start 3ds max from Start > Programs >
•Entire feature will be installed on local discreet > 3ds max 5 or from a shortcut on
hard drive: Installs the selected feature, your desktop. You can also start the
and all subfeatures. program by navigating to the install folder
with My Computer or Windows Explorer
•When all the subfeatures within a feature
are selected to be installed, the button and then double-clicking 3dsmax.exe.
next to the feature will have a white The first time you start 3ds max (and until
background. you have authorized the software), the
•If any of the subfeatures within a feature Authorization Wizard is displayed. This
are not selected to be installed, the button dialog allows you to either proceed with your
next to the feature will have a gray authorization, purchase the software (or
background. upgrade your existing license), or start using
3ds max.
•Entire feature will be unavailable:
Selected feature (and all subfeatures) will If you don't want to register at this point, you
not be installed (or removed, if can choose Run 3ds max 5. You are given a
previously installed). 30-day grace period to register and authorize
3ds max. The grace period starts from the
You can display the total disk space required
for all the features to be installed by clicking time you first start the program. During this
Disk Cost. period, you can use the software; however,
you cannot export the license to another
Ready to Begin Install system.

1. Click Next to start copying files. You can Authorizing 3ds max
click Back to go back and change any
option. For your convenience, 3ds max provides the
Authorization Wizard for electronic
2. After all files are copied to your hard disk,
registration and quick access to your
you will be prompted to restart your
authorization code. The Authorization
system.
Wizard appears after you install 3ds max and
Important: Before you run 3ds max for the first run it for the first time. It steps you through
time after installation, you must reboot your all the information needed for registering
system. This ensures that new system information your product and for providing you with an
is written to disk before you start 3ds max 5. authorization code.
3dsmax5_IG.book Page 7 Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

Configuring Display Drivers 7

You can obtain your authorization code Until you properly authorize the program,
directly on the Web, by fax, email, or postal the Authorization Wizard appears each time
mail. You can also immediately enter your you start 3ds max.
authorization code if you already have one.
After you finish using the Authorization
To obtain an authorization code using the Wizard, the Graphics Driver Setup dialog
Authorization Wizard: appears.
1. Start 3ds max.
If you have not authorized your copy of
3ds max yet, the Authorization Wizard Configuring Display Drivers
appears.
The first time you start 3ds max, the Graphics
2. Choose Authorize 3ds max 5, and click Driver Setup dialog is displayed. Some
Next. options in the dialog are unavailable if the
3. Choose Register And Authorize, and click appropriate hardware and drivers are not
Next. installed. Choose Software, the default
driver, unless you want to use a different
If you already have an authorization code,
option supported by your video card.
choose Enter Authorization Code, and
click Next.
4. Enter the requested registration
information, and click Next.
5. Enter your personal information, and click
Next.
6. Confirm your personal information, and
click Next.
7. Select a registration method. You can
choose Directly Via The Web, Fax Request,
Email Request, or Mail Request to register
and obtain your authorization code.
Software—This is the default driver. It works
Each registration method walks you through with any graphics card meeting the
the procedure for authorizing 3ds max, minimum requirements.
depending on your geographic location.
Refer to the Read This First card included in OpenGL—Uses the current Windows OpenGL
your 3ds max product box for additional driver. Note that OpenGL will be slower than
registration and authorization information. Software unless you have a graphics card
capable of hardware acceleration, and have
installed the manufacturer's OpenGL driver
for use by Windows.
3dsmax5_IG.book Page 8 Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

8 3ds max 5 Installation Guide

Direct3D—Uses a driver from the hardware

manufacturer designed to work with Your 3ds max 5 License
hardware accelerators. This works only if
When you authorize 3ds max, only the
DirectX 8.1 is installed and the display driver
computer you authorized it on is licensed to
for your card supports it. In addition, this
run that copy of the program. The licensing
option works only with cards having at least
software uses the following components of
32 MB of memory.
the computer to identify the license rights:
Note: Clicking the Advanced Direct3D button
• Primary boot disk
opens the Direct3D Driver Setup dialog,
where you can choose the Direct3D Version • Files in the license folder
and Device. To exit this dialog and revert • System date and time
from using the Direct3D drive, click Revert
Making changes to any of these components
From Direct3D.
can cause a license error that requires you to
Important: You must have DirectX 8.1 installed to reauthorize your copy of 3ds max. Several
use the Direct3D display driver. DirectX 8.1 is recommendations to avoid breaking your
included on the program CD. license are listed below.
Custom—Uses a driver that has been supplied For additional information, see “Frequently
by the graphics card manufacturer. The file Asked Questions” on page 17.
must first be copied into the \drivers
subdirectory under \3dsmax5. License Folder
Note: If you're not sure which option to use, When you install 3ds max, the Setup
choose Software. If you choose an option that program installs a hidden license folder
prevents 3ds max from starting correctly and named c:\c_dilla.
gives you an “Interactive 3D Renderer
Warning: DO NOT tamper with the license folder
Failed” message, you can access this setup
or any files within the folder.
dialog in 3ds max by clicking Customize
menu > Preferences > Viewports tab >
Display Drivers group > Choose Driver. You System Date and Time
can also change the Display Driver by The 3ds max license allows for time changes
clicking the Windows Start button > within two days of the current time on your
Programs > discreet > 3ds max and choosing system clock. If you set the system clock back
Change Graphics Mode. more than two days, the next time you start
3ds max, you receive a message that gives
After you choose the display driver, 3ds max
starts and is ready to use. you the option of correcting the system clock.
If you do not correct the system clock, you
receive a license error and must reauthorize
the software.
3dsmax5_IG.book Page 9 Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

Your 3ds max 5 License 9

Note: For security reasons, you can only set Before the PC master image is restored, the
your clock back twice, at which point you c:\c_dilla folder must be backed up and
will need to reauthorize your copy of the restored after the master image is restored.
sotware.
Uninstalling/Reinstalling 3ds max
Updating Components on Your System The license information is not removed when
If you make changes to your computer, or if you uninstall the software. If you reinstall on
you install a new computer, you need to take the same system, the 3ds max license
steps to ensure that you do not receive license information is still valid. You do not have to
errors. reauthorize.
Before you make any changes to your system,
License Errors
you should use the Portable License Utility
(described below) to export the license from If you do receive a license error, you will need
your system. After you have made the to reauthorize your copy of 3ds max. You can
necessary changes to the system, you can use the Authorization Wizard to complete
import the license back to your modified your request. You will have seven days, from
system. the time of your license error, before you
must reauthorize the product. After the
Restoring from a Disk Backup seven-day grace period, you will not be able
to use the software again, until you have
In a lab or training environment, it is
entered a new authorization code.
common to install software on a master PC,
create an image, and then copy that image to
multiple PCs. After each class or test session, Portable License Utility (PLU)
this image is used to restore the PCs to a Your 3ds max license is valid on only one
known state so that no modified files are computer at a time. With the Portable License
carried forward into the new session. Utility, you can transfer the license to another
Note: Create the master image before running computer or transfer it back to the original
and authorizing 3ds max, so that all computer.
deployed versions can later be authorized You must have administrative permissions to
individually. Authorization is based on a use the PLU.
specific computer, so that trying to use an
Note: If you export your license, and are
authorization for the master PC will not work
unable to import it immediately, there is a 24-
for a deployed copy.
hour emergency grace period during which
To avoid reauthorizing each lab machine you can run 3ds max without a license. After
after this process, using 3ds max in this 24 hours, you will be unable to run 3ds max
environment requires a small exception to until you have reimported your license. This
the rule about modified files. emergency grace period is available only
once every seven days.
3dsmax5_IG.book Page 10 Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

10 3ds max 5 Installation Guide

To use the Portable License Utility: QuickTime 5

• In the Start menu, run the Portable License QuickTime 5.x is required to run the
Utility from the Windows Start menu > 3ds max QuickTime plug-in. 3ds max 5 has
Programs > discreet > 3ds max 5 folder. the ability to read and write QuickTime MOV
For more information about using the files only if Apple’s QuickTime 4.x software
PLU, click Help in the PLU dialog. is installed on your computer. Choose this
option to install QuickTime support.
Note: When you use the PLU to export your
license, you must export it to a separate If you want to run the QuickTime 5 setup
computer before you can import it back to program later directly from the 3ds max 5
your system. You cannot “undo” an export. CD, go to the \qtime subdirectory and run
quicktimeinstaller.exe from there.

Installing Additional Programs DirectX 8.1

If you want to use the Direct3D display
When you run the Setup program, you see
driver, DirectX 8.1 must be installed on your
the Choose Setup Program dialog, which
system. If you do not have DirectX 8.1, you
lets you choose the program you want to
should install it before you can choose
install. You are given five choices: 3ds max 5
Direct3D from the Driver Setup dialog.
and associated programs, QuickTime,
DirectX 8.1, Internet Explorer 6, and Turbo
Squid. Microsoft Internet Explorer
The Internet Explorer 6 setup runs
The two additional buttons are for installing
separately from the 3ds max 5 Setup
network-licensed versions of 3ds max, and
program. This allows you control of
should be used only by network
customization for Internet Explorer.
administrators.
Internet Explorer 5.5 (or later) is required for
authorizing 3ds max. In addition, the files
installed for the 3ds max User Reference,
3ds max Tutorials, and MAXScript Reference
require the HTML Help Viewer in Internet
Explorer 5.5 (or later) for you to view them.
Therefore, we’ve 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.
3dsmax5_IG.book Page 11 Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

Installing Additional Programs 11

Turbo Squid If you plan to use 3ds max network

rendering, you must update all network-
Turbo Squid is free software used to buy
rendering systems with character studio 3.4
and sell digital assets. It provides access to a
to ensure identical rendering results. This
growing library of more than 70,000 models,
does not require authorization.
movies, maps, and sounds.
If you intend to use character studio on a
For more information, see the Turbo Squid
3ds max network floating license, you must
Web site at http://www.turbosquid.com.
purchase or transfer your single-user license
to the character studio network version.
reactor 1.4 for 3ds max 5
If you have a registered copy of
A complete, licensed version of reactor 1.4,
character studio 3, you will need to obtain a
formerly an additional product, is included
new authorization code for it to work with
in 3ds max 5. reactor 1.4 is automatically
your new 3ds max 5 license.
installed with 3ds max. Its components are
listed under the 3ds max Custom install In some versions of 3ds max, such as term
options. licenses, character studio is included as part
of 3ds max without additional authorization.
character studio In these cases, you will not be prompted for
an additional character studio authorization
A complete version of the character studio
code.
software for 3ds max 5 is included on the
product CD. character studio 3.4 is not
available from the Choose Setup Program backburner
dialog; however, it is automatically installed backburner™ is the 3ds max 5 network-
during a Typical, Compact, or Custom rendering management software. It is
installation. You can select whether it is automatically installed in the root directory
installed from the Select Features dialog during all installations.
during a Custom installation of 3ds max.
For more information on backburner, see the
Note: You can use character studio during the Network Rendering topics in the 3ds max 5
3ds max 30-day trial mode. However, once User Reference.
3ds max is authorized, character studio
requires its own purchase and authorization.
If you intend to use the character studio
software, be sure to install and consult the
associated documentation. This
documentation is available from the 3ds max
Help menu, under Additional Help.
3dsmax5_IG.book Page 12 Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

12 3ds max 5 Installation Guide

Modifying 3ds max 5

Upgrading from a Previous Modify lets you configure which 3ds max
Version features are installed. The Select Features
To find out about what's new for this release, dialog lets you add or delete features from
refer to the 3ds max 5 New Features Guide, your system.
included in the box, or see the “What's New Important: If you deselect a feature in the Select
in 3ds max 5” topics in the online User Features dialog during modification, the
Reference, or in the printed 3ds max 5 User associated feature will be removed from your
Reference, Volume I (optionally available). system.
Note: If you are installing an upgrade, you do
not have to have your previous version of Repairing 3ds max
3ds max installed on your system to upgrade.
Repair reinstalls 3ds max (based on your
However, you will need your previous serial
current installation configuration), in order
number to obtain a new authorization code.
to replace any files, registry keys, or shortcuts
that might have been corrupted.
If an existing file is newer than a file normally
Application Maintenance used to repair it, the existing file isn’t
Once you have installed 3ds max 5 on your changed. In other words, if you’ve applied a
system, you cannot install a second copy. patch, a repair will not restore the system to
an earlier state.
If you run Setup from the program CD, you
see the Application Maintenance dialog. This Note: Preferences stored in the registry might
dialog lets you modify, repair, or remove be reset to default values.
your installation of 3ds max.
Removing 3ds max
Remove uninstalls 3ds max 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.
The software license manager will not be
removed during an uninstall. If you want to
uninstall it, you will need to uninstall the
C-Dilla Software License Manager from the
Add/Remove Programs dialog in your
Windows Control Panel.
Note: If you remove 3ds max from your
system and reinstall it later, you will not have
to reauthorize it, unless you also removed the
software license manager.
3dsmax5_IG.book Page 13 Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

3ds max 5 Online Documentation 13

For your convenience, the Tutorials are also

3ds max 5 Online provided in a single printed volume that you
Documentation can read offline. Be aware, however, that the
online version might contain more up-to-
The online documentation can be accessed date information on certain topics. See the
from within 3ds max using commands on the
Readme file for a list of these topics.
Help menu. If, for some reason, you want to
view the online documentation from outside MAXScript Reference
the program, you can run the files from
Windows Start > Programs > discreet group. To see complete information about
Internet Explorer 5.5 (or later) is needed to MAXScript, choose Help menu > MAXScript
view the files. However, an Internet Reference. The MAXScript Reference is
connection is not required. provided online only, as a compiled HTML
Help file.
These files are installed for all setup types,
and have a .chm file-name extension. The
online documentation is located in the \help
subdirectory under \3dsmax5. The Learning and Training CD
The second CD included in the product box is
User Reference the Learning and Training CD. It contains
The 3ds max 5 User Reference documents the Adobe Acrobat Reader software, all of the
program. Once you have the program tutorial sample files, as well as additional
running, choose Help menu > User scene, image, map, sound, and MAXScript
Reference. files for you to use while learning and
experimenting with 3ds max.
Tutorials
To use any of the files on this CD, simply
To view the 3ds max 5 Tutorials online while copy or drag them to your own computer.
you are using 3ds max 5, choose Help menu Files from the Learning and Training CD are
> Tutorials. not installed when you run Setup.
Tutorial sample files are located on the When you want to run the tutorials, we
Learning and Training CD in the \tutorials recommend creating a\tutorials subdirectory
subdirectory. Some of these files are installed under \3dsmax5 on your system and copying
on your machine during a Typical or Custom the related Tutorial files into that directory.
installation. Copy the files to your hard disk You can delete these files from your system
and delete them when you have finished the after you've used them, to free up disk space.
tutorials. Suggested location: You also can access these files any time
\3dsmax5\tutorials. directly from the CD.
3dsmax5_IG.book Page 14 Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

14 3ds max 5 Installation Guide

Adobe Acrobat Reader

You will need to install the Adobe Acrobat
What’s in the Box
Reader software to view the printable (PDF) The regular and upgrade units of 3ds max 5
version of the reactor Reference and Tutorials. typically contain the components listed in
this section. If you believe any items are
To install Adobe Acrobat Reader, run
missing, please contact your Autodesk
ar405eng.exe from the \adobe_acrobat
reseller immediately. This list is subject to
directory on the Learning and Training CD.
change without notice, and collateral
material might be different.
Samples
• 3ds max 5 CD
The samples include scene, image, map,
sound, animation, material library, user • Learning and Training CD
interface, and MAXScript files. A Typical • 3ds max 5 Installation Guide (this
setup copies a limited set of sample files to document)
your hard drive. This is because the total • 3ds max 5 New Features Guide
collection of files is quite large.
• 3ds max 5 Tutorials
Tutorial Sample Files • 3ds max 5 Quick Reference Card
The tutorial sample files are for use with • reactor Reference and Tutorials
specific tutorials provided in the • gmax Developers Guide
documentation set. Included are scene, map,
• Discreet Resource Guide and CD
material libraries, and sound files to use
while you follow the lessons. • combustion Demo CD

When you are ready to go through the For your convenience, printed versions of the
tutorials, copy these files from the \tutorials extensive online Help system are available as
directory on the Learning and Training CD. the 3ds max User Reference three-volume set.
They can be copied to your hard disk to a This additional Documentation Pack is
directory that you create, such as available for a nominal fee from your
\3dsmax5\tutorials. Discreet Reseller or the Discreet E-Store at
Note: Some of the tutorial sample files are http://www.discreet.com/purchase/.
installed during a Typical or Custom
installation.
These files can be deleted when you no
longer need them.
3dsmax5_IG.book Page 15 Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

Troubleshooting 15

Many users dedicate entire hard drives or

Troubleshooting partitions as swap files. Setting swap files in
this manner avoids any fragmentation of the
Adding a Command-Line Switch to swap file.
the Executable Line
It is very important that you have sufficient
To add a command-line switch to the swap space set aside. A common cause of
executable line for a program: system instability is an improperly sized
1. From within Explorer, My Computer, or swap file.
the Desktop, right-click the icon for
3ds max 5 or its shortcut. Possible Error Messages at Startup
A shortcut menu appears.
Error: “Interactive 3D Renderer
2. Choose Properties. initialization failed. Please check your
3. The Properties dialog appears. device settings by using the –H
command line option.”
4. In the Target text box, add the command-
line switch after the program path and This error indicates that the video setting is
executable file name. incorrect. To fix this, do one of the following:

For example: c:\ 3dsmax5\3dsmax.exe -h • Go to Windows Start > Programs >

discreet > 3ds max and choose Change
5. Click OK. Video Mode.
The command-line switch takes effect the • Go to Windows Start > Run > Browse and
next time you run the program from the choose \3dsmax5\3dsmax.exe. In the Run
shortcut. dialog, add -h to change the command to
To see more options for starting 3ds max 5 \3dsmax5\3dsmax.exe -h, and click OK to
from the command line, refer to the User start the program. Choose Software when
Reference. prompted. Also see “To add a command-
line switch to the executable line for a
Calculating the Appropriate Swap- program:” on page 15.
File Setting • Use Windows Explorer to locate
A good rule of thumb for configuring your \3dsmax5\3dsmax.ini and delete this file.
Windows swap file is three times the amount Restart 3ds max 5 normally, and choose
of physical memory (RAM) on your system. Software as the display driver.
When you output to high-resolution film or • Further troubleshooting documentation is
print work, the demands will be much higher available in “Diagnosing the Interactive
than for video resolutions. This is especially 3D Renderer initialization failed error” at
true when using Image Motion Blur. http://www.discreet.com/support/max.
Search the knowledgebase for “454”
(without the quotation marks; this is the
number of that document).
3dsmax5_IG.book Page 16 Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

16 3ds max 5 Installation Guide

Error: “TCP/IP error or Transport error – The knowledgebase, FAQs, tutorials, download
network protocol TCP/IP is not configured center, or visual troubleshooter. To visit the
properly.” 3ds max Web pages from within 3ds max,
This error indicates an issue with your choose Help menu > 3ds max on the Web.
computer’s network configuration. Refer to Information and assistance are available on
the “Setting Up TCP/IP” topic in the User our peer-to-peer 3ds max Online Discussion
Reference for help, or Forum. To visit the 3ds max Forum, go to
http://www.discreet.com/support/max. http://support.discreet.com or, from within
Search the knowledgebase for “470” (without 3ds max, choose Help menu > 3ds max on
the quotation marks; this is the number of the Web.
that document).
For more problems, see “Frequently Asked Technical Support
Questions” on page 17. To receive support, you are first required to
register your product at
http://www.autodesk.com/register using
Support your 11-digit serial number.
As a registered client of the full retail version
World Wide Authorized Discreet of 3ds max, you can receive telephone
Resellers support for installation, configuration, and
Your local Authorized Discreet Reseller is an troubleshooting. For support options and
excellent source for support and information offerings in your region, telephone numbers,
about 3ds max 5, as well as training and hours of operation and to locate a Technical
assistance on related hardware and software. Assistance Center near you, please visit our
web site at:
To locate an Authorized Discreet Reseller
near you, please visit the reseller look-up on http://www.discreet.com/support.
the Discreet website at:
http://www.discreet.com/resellers/. 3ds max 5 Software Development Kit
You may also call 1-800-869-3504 (toll-free Information on the 3ds max 5 Software
number for most international locations) Development Kit (SDK) is available on our
or 1-514-393-1616, or send a FAX to 1-514- peer-to-peer SDK Forum on the World Wide
954-7399. Web. To visit the SDK Forum, use the Discreet
Online Forum Web site at
Online Support over the World Wide http://support.discreet.com/.
Web
Dedicated SDK marketing and development
The Discreet Web site at
support for third-party developers is
http://www.discreet.com gives you access
available from the Discreet Sparks program
to a wide range of product information and
Web site at http://sparks.discreet.com.
support resources such as the
3dsmax5_IG.book Page 17 Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

Discreet Official Training Centers 17

Q. Will 3ds max 5 work without

Discreet Official Training authorization, when first installed?
Centers Yes, however, the product will only work
Whether you are an advanced user and work without authorization during the initial grace
in the industry or a beginnner and want to period, which is 30 days from when you first
learn the basics of Discreet software, our started the program.
Discreet Training Centers (DTCs) have a class
designed especially for you. Classes offered Q. Will I have to reauthorize my third-party
at DTCs are short, intensive, and geared applications whenever I reauthorize
3ds max 5?
toward getting you the best training possible.
No. Once authorized, third-party
To search for a DTC near you, check our Web
applications shouldn’t need re-authorization.
site at http://www.discreet.com/training/
If, for some reason, you need to reauthorize
index.html. your license of 3ds max 5.

Discreet Official Training Courseware Q. Will a re-install of the product provide

Discreet now produces a series of a new 30-day grace period?
Fundamental and Advanced Level No.
Courseware for its award-wining products.
Whether you want to teach 3ds max, Q. What if I need to get authorization for
character studio, or combustion, Discreet my product during non-business hours?
has courseware for you. For the most
3ds max includes an electronic registration
updated information please visit us at
and authorization feature that allows users
www.discreet.com/courseware.
(in some geographic locations) to obtain an
authorization code at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions Q. In case I need to reauthorize my copy

of 3ds max 5, can I use the original
General Questions authorization code?
No. The authorization code is unique in
Q. Does an uninstall/reinstall require a every instance and cannot be used more than
new authorization code? once.
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.
3dsmax5_IG.book Page 18 Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

18 3ds max 5 Installation Guide

Software Licensing Questions 4. Now, try to run 3ds max, and see the
message you get.
Q. What is software licensing 5. Run PLU, and on the Import page, import
technology?
the file you just created.
In the past, individual 3ds max licenses had
been secured by a hardware lock; a physical Q. I export back and forth from home all
“dongle” that attaches to a computer's the time, and I’m tired of writing floppy
parallel port. Beginning with 3ds max 4, disks all the time. Is there another way?
Discreet used a software mechanism to Yes. The first time you’ve exported to a PC,
secure individual licenses of 3ds max to a you have to write the file (and it can be
particular machine, though the license can be anywhere, on a floppy, or shared network
exported to other machines using the drive). But after that, you can use the
Portable License Utility. “Transfer Code” instead. Export normally,
but instead of typing a file name, on the
Q. What products and countries are Export Type Selection dialog, choose the
affected? Transfer Code option. Write down the code
All versions of 3ds max worldwide contain and click Transfer. On the other PC, choose
software licensing. Transfer Code again on the Import page, and
enter the code.
Q. How do I move my license from one Note: Codes can’t be reused; you'll get a new
machine to another? one each time.
The Portable License Utility facilitates this. (If
you are familiar with the old hardware lock, Q. I exported my license, writing the file
you can think of this as moving the hardware on a floppy disk, and now I lost the floppy
lock from one machine to another.) Run the disk (or it's unreadable), and I can't run on
Portable License Utility. To get a feel for the either PC.
PLU, you can export to your own PC, and On the PC where you last worked, run PLU
import it back! Follow these steps: and export the license again, and make a new
1. Start PLU, go to the Import page, highlight floppy. This works because it remembers
the Machine Identification Code (MIC) of which PC you exported it to, and you can
your PC, right-click, and copy it to the only re-export to the same PC.
clipboard.
Q. I exported my license by mistake to a
2. On the Pool page, click Add, enter a name PC that no longer exists, or to a PC that
for your PC, then in the MIC field, was lost or stolen, and can’t run. My
right-click and paste in your MIC. computer had a serious hard-disk or BIOS
3. On the Export page, expand the “+” sign
failure. What should I do?
under your license, highlight your PC’s Contact the Autodesk registration center
name, and click Export (you're forced to directly via phone, fax, email, or online. We
use the file method the first time). will help you reinitiate your 3ds max license.
3dsmax5_IG.book Page 19 Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM

Frequently Asked Questions 19

Q. Importing a license file, I get error 1291, Q. I’m going to make a major hardware
“The supplied import data is now modification to my PC, such as changing
obsolete. A more up-to-date version the main hard disk, the motherboard, or
probably exists.”. What do I do? upgrading the BIOS. (Making a more
serious change than just adding memory
The license file is continuously updated, or changing the video card, which
every time it’s exported, imported, or the doesn’t require re-authorization). How
product is run. You have to be using the very can I avoid breaking my license and
latest version of the license file at all times. having to reauthorize it?
Let’s say on PC1 you export to a floppy. Now You can save a support call by “parking”
the floppy has the latest version. When you your license on another PC temporarily.
import that on PC2, the license on PC2 is now Export your license to another PC, and then
the latest version. If you tried to import that make your modifications. Before importing
same floppy again, you’d get a 1291 error, the license back, run the PLU on your
because it’s now obsolete. Otherwise, you modified PC, and on the Import page,
could export to PC3, and then reimport from double-check the MIC. If a drastic enough
this floppy again: trying to make two licenses change has been made, the MIC might have
where you only have one. been changed. If so, you'll have to update the
new MIC in the pool entry for this PC on the
Q. On import, I get error 1290, “The machine where the license was parked,
supplied data is not destined for this before exporting back.
machine. Please check that the file has
been transferred to the correct Q. Does the PLU work with third-party
machine.”. applications?
Here’s how this can happen. On PC1, you If you use the PLU to transfer your 3ds max
select PC2 and export to it, creating a floppy. license, the ability to run the plug-ins is also
You take that floppy to PC3 and try to import. transferred. This means that if the plug-ins
Sorry: it wasn’t intended to go to PC3. This are installed on the transferred machine, they
restriction is necessary for security reasons. If can be made functional by using the same
you want the license on PC3, you’ll have to plug-in authorization as the original
import on PC2, and then export it, selecting machine.
PC3 as the destination.
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20 3ds max 5 Installation Guide