3ds Max Developer

https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/
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### Move commands example

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-A085EFDD-A397-41D6-9391-421344294422

Example of installing package files using move commands in the mzp.run file.

```maxscript
move "plug-ins\*.*" to "$plugins"
move "*.max" to "$scenes"
move "texmaps\*.bmp" to "$maps"
```

--------------------------------

### Example: get system affinity as array and bitarray

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-CAC36F27-CB51-4C9F-B265-167F636C9A4D

Shows how to get system affinity as a pointer, array, and bitarray. Example output for a four-core system.

```maxscript
--getting system affinity as a Pointer:
sysinfo.systemAffinity
-->15P

--getting system affinity as an array:
(for i = 1 to 32 where bit.get sysinfo.systemAffinity i collect i)
-->#(1,2,3,4)

--getting system affinity as a bitarray:
(for i = 1 to 32 where bit.get sysinfo.systemAffinity i collect i)as bitarray
-->#{1..4}
```

--------------------------------

### Setup for loop and index examples

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-55EC8090-6593-416B-923F-2291D3983BC6

Creates a teapot and adds Bend and Twist modifiers to set up the subsequent loop and index examples.

```maxscript
   t=teapot() --create a teapot
   addmodifier t (bend angle:30) --add a Bend modifier with Angle 30
   addmodifier t (bend angle:60 direction:90) --add a Bend modifier with angle 60 and dir 90
   addmodifier t (twist angle:180) --add a Twist modifier with Angle 180
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Get registry key base

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-95AD6CEA-8A88-4D54-834B-3FB89945DFAC

Example showing the returned registry key base.

```maxscript
systemTools.GetRegistryKeyBase()
--> "SOFTWARE\Autodesk\3dsMax\21.0"
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Using A360_Cloud_Rendering

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-6A7FF822-09E6-414A-9FEA-767FA12BEEB0

Complete example showing how to initialize web services, create an A360_Cloud_Rendering object, set render settings, check credits, submit a render job, and query job info. Includes expected outputs for each command.

```maxscript
   Autodesk360.InitializeWebServices()
   -->true
   a360=A360_Cloud_Rendering()
   -->A360_Cloud_Rendering:A360_Cloud_Rendering
   renderSceneDialog.close()--close the render dialog
   -->OK
   renderers.current = a360 --assign the A360 renderer 
   a360.UserLoggedIn --check if the user is logged in 
   -->false
   --Log in if not logged in yet:
   if not a360.UserLoggedIn do Autodesk360.Login()
   -->true
   a360.UserLoggedIn    --check if the user is logged in now 
   -->true
   Autodesk360.getLoginUserName()--get the login name
   -->"yourname"

   renderers.target --check the target mode
   -->"local"
   renderers.target = "cloud" --set it to cloud rendering
   -->"cloud"
   renderSceneDialog.open() --re-open the render dialog
   -->OK

   a360.RenderType = "image" --render image
   -->"image"
   a360.Quality  = "standard" --increase quality from draft to standard
   -->"standard"
   a360.Exposure = "Native" --change the exposure from advanced do native
   -->"Native"
   a360.Width = 1000
   -->1000
   a360.Height = 750
   -->750
   a360.Format = "PNG" --set the format to Portable Network Graphics
   -->PNG
   a360.NotifyByEmail = true --send the user an email when done
   -->true
   a360.CreditsNeeded --see how many credits are needed
   -->0
   a360.CreditsAvailable --see how many credits are left
   -->25
   --If there are enough credits, submit the job to the A360 Cloud
   if a360.CreditsNeeded <= a360.CreditsAvailable do max quick render
   -->OK    
   a360.lastJobs 
   -->"[  ]"
   a360.WaitingTime
   -->0
   --Filter the last jobs string to create an array of strings
   theFilteredJobs = filterString  a360.lastJobs  ":[]{} \","
   -->#()
   --Print information about the last jobs:
   for i = 4 to theFilteredJobs.count by 4 do
     format "%\n" (a360.QueryJobInfo theFilteredJobs[i])
   -->OK
```

--------------------------------

### Example: getIconAsBitmap, getIconSizes, getQtTextExtent

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-AC26099B-60BF-4C99-997B-DF65F8D47DC1

Example showing how to get the Render Setup icon as a bitmap, display it, get icon sizes, and get Qt text extent. The output for getIconSizes is #([24,24], [30,30], [36,36], [48,48]) and for getQtTextExtent is [48,13].

```maxscript
   b = getIconAsBitmap @"MainToolbar\RenderSetup" --get the Render Setup icon as bitmap
   display b --display the bitmap

   getIconSizes @"MainToolbar\RenderSetup" --get the Render Setup icon as bitmap
   #([24,24], [30,30], [36,36], [48,48])

   getQtTextExtent "MAXScript"
   [48,13]
```

--------------------------------

### Update callback example

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-DEF2CDBF-C729-46B9-BC0D-F030E255E3A7

Defines an update callback function with no parameters and installs it using setCallback. Called when something changes, such as a job starting or finishing.

```maxscript
   fn myUpdate =
   job.GetUpdate() --example of what you might do
   m.setcallback #update myupdate -- sets the #update callback to use myupdate()
```

--------------------------------

### GetJobs() Example with SetUpdates

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-DEF2CDBF-C729-46B9-BC0D-F030E255E3A7

Example showing how to freeze the queue with SetUpdates false, retrieve jobs, then unfreeze. SetUpdates ensures GetJobs() operates without error when the queue changes during download.

```maxscript
   manager.GetControl() --get queue control
   manager.SetUpdates false --the queue is now frozen
   jobs = manager.GetJobs()
   manager.SetUpdates true --the queue is unfrozen

```

--------------------------------

### Example: Create Biped and Load Bip File

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-AD28D4D6-D961-43EF-8F8C-DC3EBB6655BA

Creates a new Biped, accesses its Vertical_Horizontal_Turn (Body) controller, and loads a specific *.Bip file. The example uses biped.createNew, selects the controller, enters motion mode, and loads the file with biped.LoadBipFile.

```maxscript
-- create a new Biped
bipObj = biped.createNew 100 100 [0,0,0] 
-- select bipObj 
bip = bipObj.controller   
max motion mode   
-- File I/O 
biped.LoadBipFile bip (CSPATH + "scripts\\Limploop.bip") 
```

--------------------------------

### Examples of using animationRange

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-0E38D992-E687-4A0D-80BB-875F0BAD021E

Shows how to get the current animation range, set it to frames 10 to 50, read start and end frames, and change only the end frame by reassigning the interval.

```maxscript
   animationRange --Get the current animation range
   (interval 0f 100f)
   animationRange = interval 10 50 --Set range to frames 10 to 50
   (interval 10f 50f)
   animationRange.start --Get the start frame of the range
   10f
   animationRange.end --Get the end frame of the range
   50f
   --To change the end frame of the interval only:
   animationRange = interval animationRange.start 90f
   (interval 10f 90f)
```

--------------------------------

### ShellLaunch example: launch HTML file

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-846B6AB0-EFF6-43E5-8A67-8D348FF78A57

Launches the default web browser with lookup.html.

```maxscript
   ShellLaunch "E:\\tests\\lookup.html" ""
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Get and set parent

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-00AB0CFA-3190-4A28-A185-4774B684F6D8

Example showing how to get and set the parent of an object.

```maxscript
   foo_mom = $foo.parent
   $foo.parent = $baz
```

--------------------------------

### Example workflow with ATSOps login, openproject, addfiles, logout

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-F203ABBC-C3DF-4406-A449-CE6EDC011F55

Shows a typical sequence: login with the second provider, open a project, define a file list, add files, and log out. The example uses provider index 2 and a Windows path.

```maxscript
   atsops.login 2 --using the second provider...
   atsops.openproject 2 "C:\\myVault\\3dsmax\\DWFTest"--open the project
   fl = #("C:\\myVault\\3dsmax\\DWFTest\\noload.max")--define a file list
   atsops.addfiles 2 fl "comment" --add the file list
   atsops.logout 2 --log out from the second provider
```

--------------------------------

### Example: get environment variable PATH

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-95AD6CEA-8A88-4D54-834B-3FB89945DFAC

Example showing how to get the PATH environment variable and the returned value.

```maxscript
   systemTools.getEnvVariable "PATH"
   "C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\;C:\Program Files\backburner 2\;"
```

--------------------------------

### prosound.start, prosound.SetStart, prosound.end, prosound.SetEnd, prosound.Shift, prosound.ShiftAll - Track Timing

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-FE555353-8A2D-4B64-8B81-8394F7921C72

Get and set the start and end frames of a track, shift a track's timing, and shift all tracks. The example shows setting start to 10, end to 123, shifting by 50, and shifting all tracks by -50, with each operation returning true.

```maxscript
time>prosound.start <index>Track 

```

```maxscript
<boolean>prosound.SetStart <index>Track <time>StartFrame 

```

```maxscript
time>prosound.end <index>Track 

```

```maxscript
<boolean>prosound.SetEnd <index>Track <time>EndFrame 

```

```maxscript
<boolean>prosound.Shift <index>Track <time>Frames 

```

```maxscript
<boolean>prosound.ShiftAll <integer>Frames 

```

```maxscript
   prosound.start 1 --get the start frame of track 1
   -->0f
   prosound.end 1 --get the end frame of track 1
   -->18.9625f
   prosound.filelength 1 --get the file length of track 1
   -->40.5875f
   prosound.setstart 1 10 --sets the start frame of track 1to 10
   -->true
   prosound.setend 1 123 --sets the end frame of track 1 to 123
   -->true
   prosound.start 1 --check the new start frame of track 1
   -->10f
   prosound.end 1 --check the new end frame of track 1
   -->123f
   prosound.shift 1 50 --shift both start and end by 50 frames
   -->true
   prosound.start 1 --check the shifted start frame of track 1
   -->60f
   prosound.end 1 --check the shifted end frame of track 1
   -->173f
   prosound.shiftAll -50 --shift all tracks back 50 frames
   -->true

```

--------------------------------

### pathConfig.doProjectSetupSteps()

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-7F26EC19-6C56-4580-B6C3-C51ACC8E4356

Performs all steps necessary to set up a new Project, including browsing for project folder and creating all sub-folders. Returns true on success, false if cancelled.

```APIDOC
## pathConfig.doProjectSetupSteps()

### Description
Performs all steps necessary to set up a new Project, including browsing for project folder and creating all sub-folders. Returns true on success, false if cancelled.

### Method
MAXScript function

### Syntax
```maxscript
pathConfig.doProjectSetupSteps()
```

### Parameters
None

### Returns
Boolean - true on success, false if cancelled.
```

--------------------------------

### <job>.GetLog()

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-DEF2CDBF-C729-46B9-BC0D-F030E255E3A7

Returns the log for the job as text. The 'start' and 'numLines' parameters are optional. If you pass no parameters, you get the entire log. If you only pass start, you get every line starting from the given line. If you pass only numLines, then start is assumed to be 0.

```APIDOC
## <job>.GetLog()

### Description
Returns the log for the job as text. The 'start' and 'numLines' parameters are optional. If you pass no parameters, you get the entire log. If you only pass start, you get every line starting from the given line. If you pass only numLines, then start is assumed to be 0.

### Method
MAXScript method

### Syntax
<job>.GetLog() start:x numLines:y

### Parameters
- **start** (integer) - Optional - The starting line number.
- **numLines** (integer) - Optional - The number of lines to return.

### Returns
Text of the job log.
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Enable hardware shading and shadows

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-6201E848-41CF-4A78-90B5-1A545D33944D

Shows how to get the viewport shading settings, enable hardware shading, and enable shadows.

```maxscript
   vss = maxops.getViewportShadingSettings() --get control <IObject>
   vss.ActivateViewportShading = true --turn on hardware shading
   vss.ShadowsActive = true --enable shadows
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Display Biped Display Preferences dialog

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-944F5B53-CAD2-4860-9A48-764F61451C9C

Complete example that creates a biped, selects it, retrieves its controller, and calls biped.displayPrefsDlg to display the Biped Display Preferences dialog.

```maxscript
   bipObj = biped.createNew 100 100 [0,0,0]
   select bipObj
   bip = bipObj.controller

   -- Display properties
   biped.displayPrefsDlg bip
```

--------------------------------

### Set and Get Viewport Type Example

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-8AA71F9E-F4F0-4437-A44E-9683619E89DE

Example showing how to set the active viewport to Top view and then get the view type. The output of getType() is #view_top.

```maxscript
viewport.setType #view_top -- set active viewport to Top view
--> true
viewport.getType() -- should return what you expect...
--> #view_top

```

--------------------------------

### makeDir examples

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-BA196B48-8ECA-4E0C-AE2E-F7EFAAF39844

Examples showing makeDir with all:false and all:true, including return values and comments.

```maxscript
makeDir @"c:\temp\test\deleteme\if\you\can" all:false
false --unless the path already exists up to the \you folder
makeDir @"c:\temp\test\deleteme\if\you\can" all:true
true --creates all the folders listed in the path
makeDir @"c:\temp\test\deleteme\if\you" all:true
true --even if the previous call had created the path, still ok
makeDir @"a:\temp"
false --unless you still have a Floppy drive and a disk for it!
```

--------------------------------

### startObjectCreation() example with box and targetSpot

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-D8CBACCF-73B3-41DF-9A2D-031CED757371

Example calls to startObjectCreation() for box and targetSpot object classes.

```maxscript
   startObjectCreation box
   startObjectCreation targetSpot
```

--------------------------------

### Example: particleFlow.ScriptRunner()

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-627D5362-6E27-42FF-A89B-198410821E5E

Example usage of scriptRunner to get the current PF_Source.

```maxscript
   pf= particleFlow.ScriptRunner()
```

--------------------------------

### pathConfig.doProjectSetupSteps()

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-7F26EC19-6C56-4580-B6C3-C51ACC8E4356

Performs all steps necessary to set up a new Project, including browsing for project folder and creating all sub-folders. Returns true on success, false if cancelled.

```maxscript
pathConfig.doProjectSetupSteps() 
```

--------------------------------

### refs.getAddr example

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-95453E22-A022-4543-B31C-A052CECD3598

Example showing how to get the address of a sphere object.

```maxscript
s = sphere()
-- $Sphere:Sphere001 @ [0.000000,0.000000,0.000000]
refs.getAddr s
-- 1530273376P
```

--------------------------------

### AssetUser Example: Get File Name and Full Path

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-596D54E9-F660-4C1F-8118-628BDCBC115A

Example showing how to get an AssetUser by index, retrieve its file name, check if the full path can be obtained, and then get the full file path. The output shows the expected results.

```maxscript
AUIO = AssetManager.GetAssetByIndex 2 --get the AsserUser with index 2
--> <IObject:AssetUser>
AUIO.GetFileName() --get the file name - it is not full file name
--> "Simple_Stone_Mtl_Marble_bump.jpg"
AUIO.CanGetFullFilePath (AUIO.GetFileName()) --can we get the full name?
--> true
AUIO.GetFullFilePath() --then let's get it!
--> "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2010\Maps\adskMtl\Simple_Stone_Mtl_Marble_bump.jpg"
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Load weather file and get specific time and date

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-FD0E2887-6552-4C31-80E7-3AB6BC752FAA

Example showing how to create a daylight system, load a weather file, and retrieve the specific time and date using by-reference arguments.

```maxscript
   theInt = DaylightSystemFactory2.Create sunClass:mr_Sun skyClass:mr_Sky
   $Daylight001.LoadWeatherFile("CAN_BC_Victoria_CWEC.epw")
   aTime = point3 0 0 0
   -->[0,0,0]
   aDate = point3 0 0 0
   -->[0,0,0]
   $Daylight001.GetWeatherFileSpecificTimeAndDate &aTime &aDate
   -->OK
   aTime
   -->[12,0,0]
   aDate
   -->[1,1,2007]
```

--------------------------------

### Example: create biped and manipulate prop key

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-C1E7D2EF-18FC-4926-B9C8-A4731EED68C1

Shows creating a biped, adding a key, and setting prop key properties like ikBlend, ikSpace, and ikAnkleTension.

```maxscript
   bipObj = biped.createNew 100 -90 [0,0,0]
   -- to add a new key
   k = biped.addNewKey $'bip001 L clavicle'.controller 10f 
   k = biped.getKey $'bip001 L clavicle'.controller 1 
   showProperties k 
   k.ikBlend = .5 
   k.ikSpace = 0 
   k.ikAnkleTension = .8 
   k.ikJoinedPivot = false 
   k.ikPivotIndex = 8 
   k.ikNumPivots 
   k.ikPivots 
```

--------------------------------

### Interval start Property

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-F3DD633D-728E-46EB-8D07-31307AEE1BF4

Syntax for getting or setting the start value of an interval.

```maxscript
<interval>.start : Time
```

--------------------------------

### refs.getNumRefs example

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-95453E22-A022-4543-B31C-A052CECD3598

Example showing how to get the number of references for a sphere object.

```maxscript
s = sphere()
-- $Sphere:Sphere003 @ [0.000000,0.000000,0.000000]
refs.getNumRefs s
-- 16
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Enable advanced lighting and compute

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-6604715B-0B5F-4672-9412-04ECD81B40D9

Example showing how to set the useAdvancedLighting and computeAdvancedLighting properties to true.

```maxscript
   RadiosityPreferences.useAdvancedLighting = true
   RadiosityPreferences.computeAdvancedLighting = true
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Publishing a Geosphere's Radius parameter

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-384D7F6C-C20C-4AE2-A668-DCCFF57CEAD5

Shows how to use paramPublishMgr to publish a parameter. It creates a Geosphere, selects its Radius in Track View, gets the paramBlock and subnum, adds the parameter, and starts publishing. The output comments show expected results.

```maxscript
   --Create a Geosphere
   --Open TrackView, select the Radius parameter of the Geosphere
   --Now let's initiate the Parameter Publishing.
   --Get the paramBlock of the selected parameter:
   anim = trackviews.current.getParentOfSelected 1 
   -->ReferenceTarget:ParamBlock2
   show anim --let's see what we got - it is the Geosphere's paramBlock
   -->  .Hemisphere
   -->  .Segments
   -->  .Radius : float
   -->  .Smooth
   -->false
   --Now get the index of the Radius track within the paramBlock:
   subnum = trackviews.current.getSelectedSubNum 1 
   -->3
   --We can now add the parameter using these two values:
   paramPublishMgr.addParameterBySubNum anim subnum 
   -->OK
   paramPublishMgr.start() --start the parameter publishing
   -->OK
   --At this point, a dotted line will appear in the viewport 
   --Click on the object (e.g. the Geosphere) to add a Custom Attribute
   --and expose the Radius as a CA parameter...
```

--------------------------------

### globalVars.get and set example

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-E7584E94-8696-421E-920C-2A83FCD9ABBF

Example showing how to use globalVars.get and globalVars.set. Attempting to get an undeclared variable raises a runtime error. After declaring the variable, get and set work as expected.

```maxscript
   globalVars.get #dontknow --try to get an undeclared variable
   -- Runtime error: Specified global variable does not exist: #dontknow
   global dontknow = "Now I Know" --declare the variable
   --> "Now I Know"
   globalVars.get #dontknow --now we can get and set the value
   --> "Now I Know"
   globalVars.set #dontknow "I Still Know What You Did Last Siggraph"
   --> "I Still Know What You Did Last Siggraph"
   globalVars.set #reallydontknow "MAXScript"
   -- Runtime error: Specified global variable does not exist: #reallydontknow
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Getting all channels

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-502104A4-2A6E-4FC9-A46E-CAFEB55CD03C

Continues from the previous example on this page, returning an array of all channels.

```maxscript
   --continuing from the previous example on this page:
   SimpleFaceManager.getChannels obj
   --> #(<MixinInterface:simpleFaceChannel>, <MixinInterface:simpleFaceChannel>)
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Write and read binary file

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-423269A5-B395-4A90-8058-F96C0A24115F

Complete example showing how to open a binary file for writing, write various data types, close, reopen for reading, and read back the data. Demonstrates the use of WriteString, WriteByte, WriteShort, WriteLong, WriteFloat, ftell, ReadString, ReadByte, ReadShort, ReadLong, ReadFloat, and fclose.

```maxscript
   f=fopen "c:\\test.bin" "wb"
   WriteString f "String"
   WriteByte f 64
   WriteShort f 128
   WriteLong f 256
   WriteFloat f 512.0
   WriteString f "gnirtS"
   WriteLong f (ftell f)
   fclose f
   f=fopen "c:\\test.bin" "rb"
   ReadString f
   ReadByte f
   ReadShort f
   ReadLong f
   ReadFloat f
   ReadString f
   ftell f
   ReadLong f
   fclose f
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Create, rename, list, and delete View Panel presets

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-3E389A4A-740A-4D64-888D-04A51EBA061A

Complete example demonstrating preset management: creates a preset from the active view panel, renames it, lists all presets with their layouts, and deletes presets. Shows expected outputs and that deleting a non-existent preset returns false.

```maxscript
   theNewPresetName = "Just A Test"
   --> "Just A Test"
   if not ViewPanelManager.DoesViewPanelPresetExist theNewPresetName do 
     ViewPanelManager.CreatePresetFromActiveViewPanel theNewPresetName
   --> true
   ViewPanelManager.RenameViewPanelPreset theNewPresetName "A Test Indeed"
   --> true
   theCount = ViewPanelManager.GetPresetCount()
   --> 1
   for i = 1 to theCount do
   (
     theName = ViewPanelManager.GetPresetName i
     theLayout = ViewPanelManager.GetViewPanelPresetLayout i
     format "% Name:'%' Layout:'%' \n" i theName theLayout
   )
   --> 1 Name:'A Test Indeed' Layout:'-1' 
   --> OK
   ViewPanelManager.DeletePreset theNewPresetName
   --> false
   ViewPanelManager.DeletePreset "A Test Indeed"
   --> true
```

--------------------------------

### refs.getNumIndirectRefs example

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-95453E22-A022-4543-B31C-A052CECD3598

Example showing how to get the number of indirect references for a NodeTransformMonitor object.

```maxscript
n = NodeTransformMonitor()
-- ReferenceTarget:NodeTransformMonitor
refs.getNumIndirectRefs n
-- 1
```

--------------------------------

### Example: GetRecordFile usage

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-653F8F37-BFAD-4739-81E4-743FB65CD57F

Example showing how to get a record and its filename using GetRecordFile.

```maxscript
-- Example:
record = FileLinkMgr.GetRecordFile 0
filename = record.GetFileName()
```

--------------------------------

### Submitting jobs example

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-DEF2CDBF-C729-46B9-BC0D-F030E255E3A7

Shows how to create a new job, set its suspended state, check its state, enable include maps, and get the server list to assign to the job.

```maxscript
   -- SUBMITTING JOBS --
   job = m.newjob file:"c:\\share\\test.max"
   job.suspended = true --jobs can be submitted as suspended
   job.state    --should be unsubmitted
   job.includeMaps = true --turn on "Include Maps"
   srv_list = m.getservers() --get the server list to assign to the job

```

--------------------------------

### Example: Load first preset found

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-CDDF38BF-5AE2-4643-A5CA-12FE92469A01

Gets all preset files from the ConversionPresets subfolder and loads the first one if any exist, otherwise prints a message.

```maxscript
thePresets = getFiles (SceneConverter.ScriptFolder + @"ConversionPresets\*.ms") --get all preset files
if thePresets.count > 0 then
  SceneConverter.LoadConversionPreset thePresets[1] --load the first preset found, if any
else
  format "--No Presets Found!\n"
```

--------------------------------

### Get Bone Start Point

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-0820AA26-920F-434D-A6BC-E8B6B57F54AC

Returns a point3 value representing the start point of the bone.

```maxscript
skinOps.GetStartPoint <Skin> <BoneID_integer>
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Getting all values

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-502104A4-2A6E-4FC9-A46E-CAFEB55CD03C

Continues from the previous example, showing the result of getValues() after setting a value.

```maxscript
   --continuing from the previous example:
   theInt.getValues()
   --> #(6, 2)
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Full workflow with user paths

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-705ADA79-8521-448A-A7A3-68117AA8A973

Demonstrates adding, checking, retrieving, setting, expanding, and removing a user-defined symbolic path.

```maxscript
symbolicPaths.numUserPaths() --check foruser path- none by default
0
symbolicPaths.addUserPath "$test" "c:\\test" --define new user path
OK
symbolicPaths.numUserPaths() --check foruser path- there is one!
1
symbolicPaths.isUserPathName "$test" --is a user symbolic path?
true
--See if $temp is a user symbolic path.
--NOTE that $temp is aSYSTEMsymbolic path,
--but not aUSERsymbolic path:
symbolicPaths.isUserPathName "$temp"
false
symbolicPaths.getUserPathName 1 --get the name of the first path
"$test"
symbolicPaths.getUserPathValue 1 --get the first path
"c:\test"
symbolicPaths.getUserPathValue "$test" --get the path by name
"c:\test"
symbolicPaths.setUserPathValue "$test" "c:\\another\\path" --change
OK
symbolicPaths.getUserPathValue "$test" --see if itchangeg?
"c:\another\path"
symbolicPaths.expandFileName "$test\\somefile.txt" --expand a path
"c:\another\path\somefile.txt"
symbolicPaths.removeUserPath "$test" --remove the user path
OK
symbolicPaths.numUserPaths() --there are no user paths left
0
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Creating a controller

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-B0AE3E3F-140A-49A2-844B-3C398BA97569

Example from the 'EXAMPLE' callout showing how to create a controller by calling its constructor function.

```maxscript
   c = bezier_position()
```

--------------------------------

### getSystemMetrics example

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-95AD6CEA-8A88-4D54-834B-3FB89945DFAC

Example that gets the client window width (metric 16) and returns 1920.

```maxscript
   -- get client window width
   systemTools.getSystemMetrics 16
   -->1920
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Access video post track and create keyframeable tracks

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-FA932DB0-738F-4A58-B49E-9A184064676C

Example script showing how to access a video post track, create a new track view node, add a controller, and add a float controller to global tracks. Includes a rollout handler for setting controller values.

```maxscript
   -- access a video post track
   videoPostTracks.glow.size = 5
   -- set up some visible tracks for some keyframeable parameters in a rollout panel
   my_tracks = newTrackViewNode "Grinner"
   happy_ctrl = bezier_position ()
   addTrackViewController my_tracks happy_ctrl "Happy"
   ...
   -- plant keyframes in rollout spinner handler if the animate button is on
   rollout grinner ...
   (
   ...
   on happy changed val do
   (
   ...
   happy_ctrl.value = [x, y, z]
   ...
   )
   ...
   )
   -- add a new float controller to the global tracks float controller list
   globalTracks.float.controller.available.controller = bezier_float ()
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Open Channel_Info utility

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-96584D54-6761-4988-B0EE-AC9ECBF6B7DC

Opens the Channel_Info utility in the Utilities panel and returns true.

```maxscript
   UtilityPanel.OpenUtility Channel_Info
   -> true
```

--------------------------------

### targetDistance property and example

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-00AB0CFA-3190-4A28-A185-4774B684F6D8

Gets or sets the distance from the node to its target. Returns undefined if <node> has no target. Setting moves the target along the object-to-target vector. Example shows getting and setting the property.

```maxscript
<node>.targetDistance Float default: undefined 
```

```maxscript
   $spot01.targetDistance
   $cam2.targetDistance = 100
```

--------------------------------

### ShellLaunch example: pass parameters to associated application

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-846B6AB0-EFF6-43E5-8A67-8D348FF78A57

Launches the application associated with .avi files and passes /play and /loop as command line parameters.

```maxscript
   shellLaunch "e:/t.avi" "/play /loop"
```

--------------------------------

### Example: retrieving asset by ID

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-E3237B13-8069-4177-8544-9000A98B1C15

Example showing how to create a box with a bitmap texture, get its asset ID, retrieve the file name, and get the AssetUser object by ID. The output lines are shown after each command.

```maxscript
box material:(standard diffusemap:(bitmaptexture filename:"fur.tga"))
--> $Box:Box002 @ [0.000000,0.000000,0.000000]
assetid = (assetmanager.GetAssetByIndex 1).GetAssetId(); 
--> "{DBD187ED-0BA9-4D07-9B85-BA44F5170FD9}"
assetmanager.GetFileName assetid
--> "fur.tga"    
a=assetmanager.GetAssetById assetid
--> <IObject:AssetUser>
a.GetFileName()
--> "fur.tga"
```

--------------------------------

### Emit_Start Property

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-C31B3CDE-5AF5-4100-99DC-F29DA5808EE8

Gets or sets the Emit Start value which controls the time particles start emitting.

```APIDOC
## Emit_Start Property

### Description
Gets or sets the Emit Start value which controls the time particles start emitting, starting with particle seeds at the start of the first stroke.

### Property
```maxscript
<Birth_Paint>.Emit_Start: integer
```

```

--------------------------------

### Establishing a connection example

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-DEF2CDBF-C729-46B9-BC0D-F030E255E3A7

Shows how to get a NetManager instance and connect to a manager named 'nimbus'. Optionally specify a port number.

```maxscript
   -- ESTABLISHING A CONNECTION --
   m = netrender.getmanager() --get a NetManager instance

   --start this session
   m.connect #manual "nimbus" 
   -- OR m.connect #manual "nimbus" port:1234 --specifying a port number

```

--------------------------------

### pathConfig.doProjectSetupStepsUsingDirectory()

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-7F26EC19-6C56-4580-B6C3-C51ACC8E4356

Performs all steps necessary to set up a new Project using the supplied Project Path as the Root. Returns true on success, false if cancelled.

```APIDOC
## pathConfig.doProjectSetupStepsUsingDirectory()

### Description
Performs all steps necessary to set up a new Project using the supplied Project Path as the Root. Returns true on success, false if cancelled.

### Method
MAXScript function

### Syntax
```maxscript
pathConfig.doProjectSetupStepsUsingDirectory <ProjectPath>
```

### Parameters
- **ProjectPath** (string) - Required - The path to use as the root for the new Project.

### Returns
Boolean - true on success, false if cancelled.
```

--------------------------------

### fileProperties.getNumProperties example

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-A8663B8E-7E30-474E-B3DB-E21585F125B1

Returns the number of properties in the given set. The example gets the count for the #summary set.

```maxscript
numProps=fileProperties.getNumProperties #summary
```

--------------------------------

### refs.getReference example

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-95453E22-A022-4543-B31C-A052CECD3598

Example showing how to get a reference from a sphere object. The output shows the controller reference.

```maxscript
s = sphere()
-- $Sphere:Sphere001 @ [0.000000,0.000000,0.000000]
refs.GetReference s 1
-- Controller:Position_Rotation_Scale
```

--------------------------------

### Example: print and turn on SetKey filters

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-48C5E2F2-DE34-4EA3-A84C-4DBD463DBF90

Prints the state of each SetKey filter and then turns all filters on.

```maxscript
-- print SetKey Filters state
for filter in maxops.setKeyFilters do
format "% : %\n" (filter as string) (maxops.getSetKeyFilterState filter)
-- turn all on
for filter in maxops.setKeyFilters do
maxops.setSetKeyFilterState filter true
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Enable hardware shading and soft shadows

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-6201E848-41CF-4A78-90B5-1A545D33944D

Shows how to get the viewport shading settings, enable hardware shading, enable shadows, set shadow mode to soft, and disable area shadows.

```maxscript
   vss = maxops.getViewportShadingSettings() --get control <IObject>
   vss.ActivateViewportShading = true --turn on hardware shading
   vss.ShadowsActive = true --enable shadows
   vss.ShadowMode = #Soft --enable soft shadows
   ViewportSSB.AreaShadow = false --disable area shadows
```

--------------------------------

### areNodesInstances example - Get true instances

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-D1D7EB56-A370-4B07-99B4-BC779FB87CAF

Example using InstanceMgr.GetInstances and areNodesInstances to collect true instances.

```maxscript
   InstanceMgr.GetInstances $ &rptInstances
   trueInstances = for n in rptInstances where\
   (areNodesInstances $ n) collect n
```

--------------------------------

### Example: trackviews.open

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-AFDAD8A2-5341-45CD-BDA8-15A84475F78D

Example of opening a trackview with specified layout name, position, width, and height.

```maxscript
trackviews.open "name" layoutName:" layout name" pos:[6,100] width:800 height:400
```

--------------------------------

### Get view tessellation for displacement approximation (invalid example)

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-B8218069-D360-4139-AB8A-FB78292A0839

This example attempts to get the viewport tessellation for displacement approximation, which is invalid because the viewport does not support displacement approximation—only the production renderer does. It will generate an Assertion Failure.

```maxscript
s = getnurbsset $ #relational
obj = getobject s 1
tess = getviewtess obj #displacement
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Selecting faces by bitmap color (Steps 1-2)

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-D5CB1C50-7CB5-4ADB-BDC3-B7E2A88A192D

Example setup and usage of BitmapToSel. Step 1 creates a plane, converts it to Editable_Poly, selects it, and switches to Edge level. Then it selects faces where the bitmap color is pure white. Step 2 selects faces where the color is black.

```maxscript
   --Step 1:
   p = Plane widthsegs:50 lengthsegs:50 wirecolor:blue --create a plane
   convertTo p Editable_Poly --convert to EPoly
   select p --select the plane
   max modify mode --switch to modify panel
   subObjectLevel = 4 --switch to Edge level
   --Select faces where the bitmap color is pure white.
   PolyToolsSelect.BitmapToSel "ELMLEAF.TGA" 1 white
   --Step 2: Select faces where color is black.
   PolyToolsSelect.BitmapToSel "ELMLEAF.TGA" 1 black
```

--------------------------------

### ConvertKelvinToRGB example - Kelvin to RGB explorer

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-53F8D6CE-A5A6-4353-BE48-4298BBE107DE

Example creating a rollout that explores Kelvin to RGB conversion with preset buttons and spinners for start/end temperatures and scale. Includes a progress bar and gradient bitmap.

```maxscript
(
     global Kelvin2RGBExplorerRollout
     try(destroyDialog Kelvin2RGBExplorerRollout)catch()

     rollout Kelvin2RGBExplorerRollout "Kelvin To RGB Explorer"
     (
           local theGradient = bitmap 600 50
           local theGradient2 = bitmap 600 1
           local theColorArray = #()
           local theKelvinArray = #()

           button btn_fromPreset1 "100" width:50 across:8 align:#left
           button btn_fromPreset2 "1,000" width:50 align:#left offset:[-20,0]
           button btn_fromPreset3 "1,500" width:50 align:#left offset:[-40,0]
           button btn_fromPreset4 "2,500" width:50 align:#left offset:[-60,0]
           button btn_fromPreset5 "5,000" width:50 align:#left offset:[-80,0]
           button btn_fromPreset6 "6,500" width:50 align:#left offset:[-100,0]
           button btn_fromPreset7 "10,000" width:50 align:#left offset:[-120,0]
           spinner spn_fromKelvin "Start Temperature In Kelvin:" range:[0.01,10000000,100] fieldwidth:50 align:#right

           button btn_toPreset1 "100" width:50 across:8 align:#left
           button btn_toPreset2 "1,000" width:50 align:#left offset:[-20,0]
           button btn_toPreset3 "1,500" width:50 align:#left offset:[-40,0]
           button btn_toPreset4 "2,500" width:50 align:#left offset:[-60,0]
           button btn_toPreset5 "5,000" width:50 align:#left offset:[-80,0]
           button btn_toPreset6 "6,500" width:50 align:#left offset:[-100,0]
           button btn_toPreset7 "10,000" width:50 align:#left offset:[-120,0]
           spinner spn_toKelvin "End Temperature In Kelvin:" range:[0.01,10000000,10000] fieldwidth:50 align:#right

           progressbar prg_scale height:15 width:480 align:#left across:2 offset:[0,0] value:100.0 color:green
           spinner spn_scale "Scale:" range:[0.01,1.0,1.0] scale:0.01 fieldwidth:50 align:#right

           bitmap bmp_gradient width:600 height:50 align:#center
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Get edge index from selection

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-102A446F-9146-4D1B-A44A-818F749E61E8

Shows how to get the edge index of the 2nd edge in the current selection.

```maxscript
   $foo.selectedEdges[2].index
   --returns the edge index of the 2nd edge in the current selection.
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Getting an integer channel

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-502104A4-2A6E-4FC9-A46E-CAFEB55CD03C

Continues from the previous example on this page, retrieving the integer channel using getChannel.

```maxscript
   --continuing from the previous example on this page:
   theInt = simpleFaceManager.getChannel obj idA
```

--------------------------------

### pathConfig.doProjectSetupStepsUsingDirectory <ProjectPath>

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-7F26EC19-6C56-4580-B6C3-C51ACC8E4356

Performs all steps necessary to set up a new Project using the supplied Project Path as the Root. Returns true on success, false if cancelled.

```maxscript
pathConfig.doProjectSetupStepsUsingDirectory <ProjectPath>      
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Configure ATF_STEP_importer and import file

Source: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-1D391B20-E5F9-4226-A0AB-2A72C748494B

Example showing how to set import options and call importFile with #noprompt to import without UI. Note: the example uses ATF_STEP_importer, not ATF_UG_NX_importer.

```maxscript
   ATF_STEP_importer.ConvertToMesh = false --keep Body Objects
   ATF_STEP_importer.UpAxis = #y --switch axis to Y up
   ATF_STEP_importer.HierarchyMode = #Flattened --flatten hierarchy
   ATF_STEP_importer.KeepDummyNodes = false --no dummies
   importFile @"C:\Temp\mytestfile.prt" #noprompt --import without UI
```
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