9

Backing Up and Archiving Scenes 19
Note:
Startup scene conditions are defined by
the maxstart.max file. To save a particular
startup condition, such as a Plane object
representing the ground, create a scene file
with the condition present and then sav e it as
maxstart.maxvizstart.maxvizstart.drf.3dsMax
automatically opens this file when you start
3ds Max.
The 3dsmax.ini file includes the following
categories:
[Dir ectories ]—Defines the default paths for various
file operations.
[Per f or man ce]—Controls that speed up viewport
perfor mance.
[Pl ugIn K ey s]—Tur ns on or off the key board
shortcuts for plug-ins.
[R enderer ]—Controls for rendering alpha and filter
backgrounds.
[RenderPresets]—DefinesthepathsforRendering
Preset files.
[BitmapDirs]—Defines the default map paths for
bitmaps used by materials.
[Mods ta ck] —Controls modifier stack button sets
and icon display.
[Wi ndowS ta te]—Settings for software display,
OpenGL, or Direct3D drivers.
[CustomMenus]—Defines path for the .mnu file.
[CustomColor s] —Defines the path for the .clr file.
[K ey boa r dFile]—Defines the path for the .kbd file.
[Ma ter ia l E ditor ]—Material Editor settings.
[ObjectSnapSettings]—Settings associated with
snaps.
[CommandPa nel]—Sets number of columns, and
controls rollout display in multiple columns.
Backing Up and Archiving S cenes
You should regularly back up and archive
your work. One convenient method is to save
incremental copies of your scenes. This method
creates a history of your work process.
S avi ng I ncrementa l Fil es
IfyouturnontheIncrementOnSaveoptionon
the Files panel (page 3–819) of the Preferences
dialog, the current scene is renamed by appending
atwo-digitnumbertotheendofthefileand
incrementing the number each time you save. For
example, if you open a file named myfile.max and
then save it, the saved file is named myfile01.max.
Eachtimeyousavethefileitsnameisincremented,
producing the files my file02.max, myfile03.max,
and s o on.
You can also use Save As (page 3–391) to increment
thefilenamemanuallywithatwo-digitnumber
by clicking the increment button (+) on the Save
As dialog.
Using Auto B a ck up
Yo u c a n a u t o m a t i c a l l y s a v e b a c k u p f i l e s a t r e g u l a r
intervals by setting the Auto Backup options
(page 3–820) on the Preferences dialog (see File
Preferences (page 3–819)). The b ackup files are
named AutoBackupN.max,whereNisanumber
from 1 to 99, and store d, by default, in the
\autoback folder. You can load a backup file like
any other scene file.
Archiving a Scene
3ds Max scenes can make use of many different
files. When you want to exchange scenes with
other users or store scenes for archival purposes,
you often need to save more than just the scene fi le.
Use the File menu > Archive command (page
3–499) to pass the scene file and any bitmap