8

External Path Configuration 855
External Path Configuration
Customize menu > Configure User Paths > Configure User
Paths dialog > External Files panel
On the External Files panel of the Configure Paths
dialog, you c an add or modify path directories
for
bitmaps (page 3–1011) , DX9 effects (FX)
files (page 3–1040)
, and downloads; that is, files
transferred from the Internet via
i-drop (page
3–524)
. Bitmaps are used for background images
and
mapped materials (page 3–1062) (textures,
bump maps, displacement maps, and so on). FX
files are used by t he
DirectX 9 Shader material
(page 2–1422)
.
3ds Max stores the path of any file you load. When
thefileisreloaded,thesearchorderisasfollows:
1. The p ath saved with the file.
2. Thedirectoryofthecurrentscene.
3. The paths listed in the External Files panel,
starting at the top of the list.
Note: To save loading time, if a map with the
same name is in two different lo cations (paths),
it is loaded only once. This poses a problem
only if your scene includes two different maps
w ith the same name. In this case, only the first
map encountered will appear in the scene.
Fordescriptionsofthegeneraldialogcontrols,see
Configure User Paths (page 3–852) .
Procedures
To modify a file path:
1.
On the External Files panel, choose a path entry.
2. Click Modify.
3. IntheChooseDirectorydialog,dooneofthe
following:
• EnterapathinthePathfield.
• Navigate to locate a path.
4. Click Use Path.
The new path takes effect immediately.
To a dd a file’s path:
1.
On the External Files panel, click Add.
2. On the Cho ose New Bitmap Path dialog, do
one of the following:
• EnterapathinthePathfield.
• Navigate to locate a path.
3. If you want to include subdirectories in this
path, turn on Add Subpaths.
4. Click Use Path.
The new path takes effect immediately.
To delete a file’s path:
1.
On the External Files panel, choose a path entry.
2. Click Delete.
The path location is removed.
3. Click Cancel to restore the p ath.
This closes the Configure Path dialog w ithout
saving any path changes.
Tomoveapathupordowninthelist:
1.
On the External Files panel, choose a path entry.
2. Do one of the fol lowing: