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528 Chapter 20: Managing Scenes and Projects
The Linked G eometry user inter face on the Modify panel
3ds Max recog nizes Linked Geometry objects
when you open a MAX file created in Auto desk
VIZ. Since Linked Geometr y objects offer no
parameters on the Modify panel, you have to
modify these objects by convert ing them to
Editable Mesh or Splines or apply ing mo d ifiers on
top of them.
Linked Geometry objects are also assigned a
LinkTM controller. If the object is converted to
an Editable Mesh or Editable Spline, the LinkTM
controller is replaced with a PRS controller .
File Link Reloading
If you plan on working on an Autodesk VIZ 2006
scenein3dsMax,youshoulddownloadthelatest
service pack for the product. T he latest service
pack includes functionality that makes 3ds Max
more compatible with Autodesk VIZ 2006.
Materials
In 3ds Max, the ambient (page 3–1002) and
diffuse (page 3–1023) color channels are locked
for sta ndard materials, however this is not the
case in Autodesk VIZ. As a result, MAX fi les from
Autodesk VIZ may render differently in 3ds Max.
To solve this issue, use the
Fix Ambient utility
(page 3–513)
.
Missing Maps
Many times, when you open a MAX file from
Autodesk VIZ, you will be presented with a
Missing External Files dialog (page 3–504) .To
locate the missing fi les, click Browse and then add
the appropriate Autodesk VIZ directories to the
Configure External File Paths dialog (page 3–855) .
VIZ R ender (DR F) Files
DRF is the file format for VIZ Render, a rendering
tool included with Autodesk Architectural
Desktop 2005. The DRF file type is similar to MAX
filesfrompreviousversionsofAutodeskVIZ.
This file format is available only when you use the
File menu >
Open (page 3–400) command. All
DRF files must be saved as MAX files in 3ds Max.
Like wise, DRF files cannot be imported or merged
into 3ds Max scenes.
Note: You can open DRF files using drag-and-drop
functionality.
Saving DRF Files
DRF files must be saved as M A X files in 3ds Max.
Impor tant: Once you save a DRF file in 3ds Max, it
becomes a MAX file and you
cannolongeropenit in
VIZ Render.
Defa ults
3dsMaxshipswithseveralmarket-specificdefaults
sets. If you are working on design visualization
types of files, you should load the
DesignVIZ