3ds Max is a piece of ....

[dioniciog]

 What is the solution if 3ds Max starts to close automatically? I have already reinstalled it and it worked for a while, but it just started having the same  problem. Tried reinstalling it a second time but now I get a message stating there is an error or the program is not responding. I was told a while back that the software was not the problem, but the problem was with windows and that I need to reinstall windows, but I had this problem with the student versions of 3ds max 7, 8, and 9. I was also told that since it was the student version of the program I could not receive any support. So I basically given up on trying to use 3ds max and Maya(since they are both made by Audodesk). I did consider purchasing the non-student version, but to be honest the price is way to expensive given the experience I have had with the student versions. If Autodesk is going to sell the program at it current price at least make the thing work properly for any version student or otherwise. I also think that Autodesk needs a spot on the site for complaints, but to be honest I don't think they would add one because they know that their software is actually inferior to some of the other stuff out there. I welcome any suggestions as to how to fix my problem, because I really like 3d animation, but I'm really dissatisfied with Autodesk and the way they seem to handle things.

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Discussion_Admin

[TravisNave]

If the program were problematic, everybody would experience your issue.  You might consider reinstalling your Windows if the problem has persisted thru individual versions. This likely shows that the problem is not the software, but the computer itself.  I agree with whomever told you that Windows was the problem here. 

[dioniciog]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm not that sure if Windows is the problem though. You see the computer is only three months old and all of the programs I have on work as they should with the exception being 3ds max. There may be a chance the file I was working on became corrupted because the program was working fine until yesterday. When I was working on rigging bones I got a message saying the program has encountered an error and will close. Today when I went to work on the automated backup that was created before closing, none of the guides appeared. For example, when you click on move or rotate there guides showing you which axis x, y, or z but those were gone, when I tried to work. I then tried reinstalling and received a message about not installing properly. Also I think ther may have been other cases similar to mine because I'm pretty sure I'm not the only person who this problem has happened too, but if you notice on Autodesk site there is not a section dealing with complaints and how to fix them. Since Autodesk is the maker of both 3ds max and Maya, and both are considered industry standards, that could give them a sort of arrogance where they cast aside problems like the one I have, because, only a small percentage of users experience this.Finally can you tell me if you work for Autodesk? If you don't, isn't sort of sad how nobody from Autodesk was able to advise me on how to correct the problem with 3ds max. All they did was move, edit my original post and didn't even send me an email saying someone responded to my question, even though I have that optioned checked.

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Discussion_Admin

[TravisNave]

Your expectations for support are too high for a free user forum.  Furthermore, we are a forum of professionals and behave as such.  Product support is often supplied by the VAR and generally comes at a premium price. 

Since your program is graphic intensive, have you checked to see if your video card meets minimum requirements and that you are running a WHQL certified driver?   What video card are you using?  What is your Windows version and which specific version of the Autodesk product are you running? 

[dioniciog]

What do you mean by free user, the student version of 3ds Max cost me $980.00. Your attitude in the last response only shows me how un-"professional" the people here are. Support at a premium price only proves to me that Autodesk in only in it for the money. They have forgotten who they are supposed to serve. Why would I spend three or four thousand dollars to have a faulty program, then pay a premium price on top of that for support that may not event fix the problem. The version I'm using is 3ds Max 9 the student version and this is the computer that I'm using.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6325074&csid=ITD&body=MAI...

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Discussion_Admin

[TravisNave]

Yes, you have clearly proven that not everyone here is professional.  This is a free user-based forum consisting of individuals who graciously donate their time to assist those in need.   Good luck with your problem.  However, only Autodesk 2010 products and newer are supported on Windows 7. 

[dioniciog]

What about this patch?

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=11583156594&topic=4116

Also, Thank you for acknowledging that I have proven that not ever one here is professional. I know you are reffering to me with that remark,  Anyway thanks for wishing me good luck, but I'm not sure if I really need it. I have always been disatisfied with Autodesk, but I was forced to use it since it was an industry standard.  maybe Autodesk is not really the best that is offered. Thank you and God Bless

Edited by
Discussion_Admin

[DouglasLauritsen]

3ds Max 9 was developed and tested before Windows 7 and Vista. It has not been tested on Windows 7 or Vista. You will need to install 3ds Max on a Windows XP computer. Autodesk does not support 3ds Max, or other applications, on operating systems that have not tested.

If you are a student you can register at the Student Community and download 3ds Max 2011 with a 36 month license entitlement free of charge.

Travis and many other community members who contribute regularly to this forum provide very high quality responses and solutions. Because of this Autodesk technicians rarely respond to forum threads that already have responses from these users. Forum moderators or administrators who do not provide responses or solutions to threads may have moved your thread.

[dioniciog]

Thanks for the reply, I don't think 3rd max, Autodesk or anything associated  coincide with my views. In other words I don't think I can use a product or much less support anything associated with Autodesk after the bad experiences ihave had in the past with the program  I'm truly sorry, because apart from the problem I expirenced 3rd max was a descent program, when it function as it was supposed to it was awesome, however , when it would mess up is when it wasn't any good, mostly because the support for fixing the problem was not there. I have been complaining about this problem since 3ds max 7 was new. It sort of saddens me that I finally received some sort of a solution after three years of complaints falling on deaf ears As for you offer of the student version of max 11, I will have to respectfully decline. First, I don't know if this is sort of a kind gesture on Autodesk in order to save face because of Travis's actions. I can not accept because I am no longer a student, I graduated in fall of 2008. The reason I was using the 3ds max 9 was because that's what I had to use in college, that was supposed to be the definitive test before I purchased the commercial version. If I had problems and Autodesk was able to resolve them I would have paid the three or four thousand for the commercial version, but the support was not there. As a consumer what does that tell me about Autodesk. I have a student version of their program, I'm having problems with it yet support to help fix it is not there. How can I support a company that does not offer support for programs that the schools use? If it is for the students shouldn't autodesk place priorityon those programs, because that is what they are learning from. So anywaythanks fir the offer, but I think a better solution would be to give me an adress or someplace where I can return all the student versions of 3ds max that I have and sever any link I have to Autodesk. I think that would be the best option, wouldn't have to deal with th complaints falling on deaf ears. I think I'll search for another program, one that is more consumer friendly.  Thank you for your time.

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Discussion_Admin

[TravisNave]

It is unfortunate that your product did not meet your expectations. If in the future you decide to purchase software that meetsminimum requirements, I hope you do so with a value-added reseller that can offer you a support contract. Good luck with your endeavors.

[dioniciog]

Thanks for the well wishes, but I think there is a little confusion and misunderstanding on your end. I decided to stop supporting Autodesk and any of their products  It's nothing personal, because outside of the forum you may be a really good person, but I did not like how the situation was handled. The Autodesk employee who posted in this topic stated this "

Travis and many other community members who contribute regularly to this forum provide very high quality responses and solutions. Because of this Autodesk technicians rarely respond to forum threads that already have responses from these users." That being the case you and the other contributors who contribute regularly may be seen as the online presence Autodesk uses to converse with its consumers. So in essence if the Autodesk technicians don't respond to threads that all ready have responses from you or other regular contributors, it should be safe to assume that your actions, opinions, points of view or whatever are the same as the technicians at Autodesk. I know that's wrong for me to think like that, but after reading a sentence saying that technicians rarely respond to threads you have already posted in, that's what I'm going to assume. Since things seem to be that way, I can not support Autodesk.. Autodesk may be a good company and I found the only bad apple among everyone here in the forum, or maybe I'm the bad apple who knows. After much thought and after comments like yours and like this 

"Travis and many other community members who contribute regularly to this forum provide very high quality responses and solutions. Because of this Autodesk technicians rarely respond to forum threads that already have responses from these users." I have decide to stop supporting Autodesk.

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Discussion_Admin

[TravisNave]

Thank you for your feedback. I too believe you are also a good person. Since you have based you decision from a user-forum consisting of you and your peers, I would highly recommend giving the latest product release a chance. There have been many improvements to the software since your version. Unfortunately, your version is not supported on the Windows 7 platform. Since the comments posted by peer members are not those expresssed by Autodesk, including those made by you or me, I'd be happy to recommend a competing product that may meet you expectations. I wish you success.

[dioniciog]

Thank you for recommending the new products that Autodesk has to offer. However,  the new version still act the same as 3ds Max 9 despite all of the improvements. After much reflection based on our interaction, I decided to give 3ds Max 11 a try. I mainly use the student version of the program for practice, so that if I ever work at an animation or gaming company I will at least have a good understanding of the software. That being the case, I saw on Ebay that an authorized reseller was selling a one year license for the program for $100. I think this is a good deal, because even though its not for commercial use, a person can get good practice using the latest versions of the software, so that when they do work for a company that uses it they will already be well versed in the latest versions. Another reason I liked this deal is the cheap price, I think this one year license for $100 is somewhat similar to XboxLive, but instead of paying $60 a year to play online , your paying $100 for the latest release of 3ds Max which is good for practice, because the companies that use 3ds Max or other Autodesk products will already have their own versions of the program for their workers to use. After using 3ds Max 11 I have to say I have some what mixed feelings. I really like the feel of the program and it has greatly been improved since version 9. However, it still seems to be very vulnerable and unpredictable to me. For example, the trial version of Max 11 that I downloaded would give me a message saying to make sure I was logged in as the administrator for all of the Max 9 Files I had imported into 11 and then saved as files for Max 11, which seems very strange to me because I'm the only one that uses the computer that has 3ds Max on it. Also, the same problem I was having about the guides disappearing has reappeared even in the trail version that I have. I would attach the file to show what I'm talking about, but I'm not able to attach it. The trial version did work perfectly for about eleven days  though.