KeyShot Plugin for Autodesk® 3ds Max®
Win64, EnglishGeneral Usage Instructions
Initial transfer
- Open your model in 3ds Max.
- Open the KeyShot menu from the main menu bar.
- Select Render.
- KeyShot opens and your model is imported.
LiveLinking from a live version
- As soon as Keyshot is started from 3ds Max through the render button, the two applications are linked.
- Assign materials, set up animations, set up your lighting and camera angles.
- Go back to 3ds Max and continue to refine your model.
- When you are satisfied with your changes, select "Update". All changed parts (geometry/location) will be replaced inside KeyShot. All materials, animations, etc will be maintained.
- New parts will be added to the scene and may not automatically get painted.
LiveLinking from an existing scene
- When revisiting a project after both 3ds Max and KeyShot have been closed, all you need to do is open both applications and load the corresponding model/scene into either application. The two applications are now linked.
- Continue to work as described under section 'Live Linking from a live session'
Export animation (Experimental, KeyShot Pro only)
- Open the KeyShot menu from the main menu bar.
- Select "Export Animation (Experimental)".
- Choose a filename and save location.
- Each frame in the current scene will now be exported to individual numbered .bip files together with a python script.
- Import the first .bip file and set up the materials, camera, and lights.
- Set up render options in the render dialog.
- Import the python script into the KeyShot Script window (Window -> Scripting Console).
- Run the script and KeyShot will add all the exported frames to the render queue.
Commands
Installation/Uninstallation
Installation
Run the installer and follow the instructions. The installer automatically detects the available 3ds Max installations and install the plugin in the correct folders. A 'KeyShot' menu is automatically added, and the UI can be customized using the built-in 3ds Max 'Customize User Interface' functionality'
Uninstallation
Run unistall.exe in the installation directory.
Additional Information
Features
- Parts retain materials and layers.
- Maintain a hierarchy of objects created in the scene tree
- Objects retain materials, can be unlinked
- The hidden layer will not be imported
- LiveLinking
- Support for part and camera animations
- Export of rigged and deformable animations
- Support for hair (curves)
Requirements
- 3ds Max 2023-2025
- KeyShot
- Windows 64-bit
Known Issues
Contact
Author/Company Information
Support Information
Support is available at http://keyshot.com/help/ or via support@luxion.com
Support over the phone is available at (949) 274-8871 between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm M-F.
Version History
Version Number | Version Description |
---|---|
1.5 |
Added support for 3ds Max 2025 Made the plugin KeyShot versionless (This plugin runs on all KeyShot versions with an active lifecycle) |