File Link Manager

The File Link Manager utility allows you to work in both 3ds Max and another design application, such as AutoCAD, while maintaining a single design database.

File Link Manager lets you link to these kinds of files:

You can establish, refresh, and break links to any number of linked files. In 3ds Max, you can hide unnecessary information by using layers and other filters. The File Link Manager defines which geometry is included in the 3ds Max scene from the linked file, how the geometry is organized, and when it is regenerated.

The objects that you bring in from linked files behave just like any other object created in 3ds Max. You can scale, rotate, and move them, apply modifiers, and assign materials.

You can also refresh or break links to linked files. When you refresh a linked file, any changes you’ve made to the linked file are applied to geometry in your scene. However, 3ds Max will not change the original, linked file. The integrity of your other software’s design database is never compromised by using the File Link Manager.

Finally, if you decide to break a link to a linked file, you can either keep the objects from the linked file in your scene, or have them removed along with the link.

Tip: For optimal speed when bringing a DWG file that contains a lot of text into 3ds Max, use Import rather than File Link.

File Link Workflow

File Link is best understood through a few simple principles: