3ds Max

3ds Max

Getting the Scene Ready

The customize menu allows you to change what scale you are building objects in the Customize > Units Setup . You can use a metric, US Standard (inches, feet, etc.) or custom scale. You can also adjust preferences such as your amount of undo's in Customize > Preferences.

Autoback

3ds Max creates auto-save files periodically while you work. If your file crashes you can recover these incremental auto-saves in your Documents > 3dsMax > Autoback folder.

Useful Hotkeys for 3DS Max

Hotkeys are keyboard button combinations that can greatly speed up your workflow and make you more efficient. You can view them all or assign new ones in the Customize > Customize User Interface menu.

Viewport Navigation

• Arc Rotate = Alt+MMB
• Pan View = Hold MMB
• Zoom = Ctrl+Alt+MMB or Scroll MMB
• Zoom to Object = Z
• Perspective view = P
• Top View = T
• Left View = L
• Orthographic View = O
• Camera View = C
• View Menu = V
• Wireframe Mode = F3
• Shaded/Edge Highlight Mode = F4
• Multi-View = Alt+W

Transform Tools

• Move tool = W
• Rotate tool = E
• Scale tool = R
• Selection Tool = Q

Timeline Navigation

• Slide entire timeline = Ctrl+Alt+MMB
• Shrink/expand timeline negatively = Ctrl+Alt+LMB
• Shrink/expand timeline positively = Ctrl+Alt+RMB

Others

• Save = Ctrl+S
• Undo = Ctrl+Z
• Re-do = Ctrl+Y
• Geometry X-Ray Mode = Alt+X
• Lock Keyboard = Spacebar
• Material Editor = M

Freeform Tools

• Delete vertices = Alt+LMB
• Move vertices = Ctrl+Shift+Alt
• Bridge = Ctrl+Alt+LMB
• Pull single edge =
• Pull entire edge = Ctrl+Shift+Alt+LMB and drag

Further Learning

100 tips to an easier 3ds max life (youtube playlist)

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