9

Working with DRF Files in 3ds Max 529
User Interfa ce Changes
Some of the user interface elements in 3ds Max
are not where you would expect them if you
are coming from VIZ Render. For example,
the viewport controls (page 3–729) are in the
bottom-right corner, instead of the top-left.
For more information on the user interface, see
User Interface (page 3–669).
R ender Pr esets
The Render Presets in 3ds Max are very different
from the presets in VIZ Render. For more
information on u sing them, see Preset Rendering
Options (page 3–23).
Working with DRF Files in 3ds M ax
Sav ing DR F Files
DRF files must b e save d as MAX files in 3ds Max.
Impor tant: O nce you save a DRF file in 3ds Max, it
becomes a MAX file and you can no longer open it in
VIZ Render.
Defaults
3ds Max ships with several market-specific defaults
sets. If you are working on design visualization
types of files, you should load the DesignVIZ
default settings. For more information on how to
do this, see Market-Specific Defaults (page 3–790).
Units
In VIZ Render, you can only use me ters as your
system unit. However, 3ds Max lets you define
your own system unit, and how units are displayed.
For more information on units, see Using Units
(page 2–2) and Units Setup Dialog (page 3–848).
Missing Ma ps
Many times, when you open a DRF file, you will be
presented with the Missing External Files dialog
(page 3–503). To locate the missing files, add
theappropriateVIZRenderdirectoriestothe
Configure User Paths dialog > External Files panel
(page 3–811).
Handling Link ed G eometr y in 3 ds Ma x
LinkedobjectsshowupasLinkedGeometry
objects on the Modify panel. These objects don’t
allo w access to sub-object levels wher e minor
editing can occur. If a linked geometry object is
moved,rotatedorscaledyoudohavetheoption
to Reset Position.
Linked Geom etry user interface on the Modify panel.
3ds Max recognizes Linked Geometry objects
when you open a MAX file created in VIZ Render.
Since linked geometry objects offer no parameters
on the Modify panel, you must first add an Edit
Mesh modifier to the object or collapse the linked
geometry object to an Editable Mesh in order to
access sub-object levels. If you add a modifier to