topic Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects? in 3ds Max Programming Forum

how to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK (or C#) to control running 3ds max projects remotely? (Solution uses OLE Automation with C# and maxscript)

FelixP5NJM — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 15:35:17 GMT

If there is another way? Or Is it impossible with normal approaches?

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects?

denisT.MaxDoctor — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 21:21:53 GMT

It's possible, but 3DS MAX must be installed anyway to get not only libs but also some used dlls. So there is no a big difference to make a standalone app or a plugin for 3DS MAX. Where the second is much easier.

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects?

denisT.MaxDoctor — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 21:24:59 GMT

Another way is to work with "exported" data from 3DS MAX (OBJ, FBX, etc.) using a related SDK.

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects?

FelixP5NJM — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 21:35:00 GMT

Is there an official tutorial about making a standalone app using 3ds max SDK?

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects?

denisT.MaxDoctor — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 21:53:26 GMT

@FelixP5NJM wrote:
Is there an official tutorial about making a standalone app using 3ds max SDK?

I don't think there is anything official from Autodesk about this for 3DS MAX. Unlike Maya, where some time ago such a development was offered and welcomed by Autodesk.

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects?

klvnk — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 09:46:43 GMT

what does "to control 3ds max projects?" even mean ? control max ? open max files ?

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects?

Swordslayer — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 11:15:59 GMT

Depending on what kind of data you have in mind, you can also check some existing importers that parse the .max format like Importer3D.

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects?

FelixP5NJM — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 15:19:20 GMT

such as importing models, creating objects and adding animations. Other things can be done with plug-ins, but I need to make them a standalone application.

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects?

klvnk — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 16:52:12 GMT

just use OLE automation then, you can make max dance to the tune of python, C/C++ etc to your hearts content.

this is a console app (written in c++) using OLE to run the script sent to it (in this case from sublime text editor)

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects?

FelixP5NJM — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 17:37:43 GMT

Thank you. But does it need libraries provided by AutoDesk to make it work, or do you just write code from scratch?

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects?

klvnk — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 17:54:48 GMT

the console app is written from just windows libraries.... it needs Max to be OLE enabled and provide the server side functions (which is documented in MXS help). Exposing a run script function is useful as it minimizes the server side work required even if it's not the most efficient.

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects?

FelixP5NJM — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 20:23:29 GMT

I followed the instructions in the doc.

@klvnk wrote:
the console app is written from just windows libraries.... it needs Max to be OLE enabled and provide the server side functions (which is documented in MXS help). Exposing a run script function is useful as it minimizes the server side work required even if it's not the most efficient.

After I wrote a "runScript" function and exposed it. How can I connect my program (for example, in C++) to a 3ds max instance and invoke the "runScript" function with the parameter (script file name)?

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects?

klvnk — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 20:53:49 GMT

here's how to do it with office doesn't take much to change it to max

回复： Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects?

trykle — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 01:21:53 GMT

I think you still need to install the whole 3dsmax and run it, then you can use cmd to pass parameters, there is a 3dsmaxbatch.exe in the 2018 version, it may be more convenient.

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects? (Solution uses OLE Automation with C# and maxscript)

FelixP5NJM — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 21:55:12 GMT

Thank everyone's help. I finally find an easy solution using C# on GitHub. Here is the link.

This was all I need after registering 3ds Max and exposing the Maxscript function "filein".

using Westwind.Utilities; string prog_id = "Max.Application"; Type com_type = Type.GetTypeFromProgID(prog_id); object com_obj = Activator.CreateInstance(com_type); com_obj.GetType().InvokeMember("filein", ReflectionUtils.MemberAccess | BindingFlags.InvokeMethod, null, com_obj, new object[] {filepath});

With this, I can control 3ds Max to run any Maxscript files.

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects? (Solution uses OLE Automation with C# and maxscript)

denisT.MaxDoctor — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 02:48:16 GMT

Hmm.. I remember you were talking about "standalone" .. no longer?

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects? (Solution uses OLE Automation with C# and maxscript)

denisT.MaxDoctor — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 02:53:30 GMT

As far as I understand, if MAX runs, then talking about "standalone" does not make sense.

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects? (Solution uses OLE Automation with C# and maxscript)

klvnk — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 07:27:32 GMT

"remote" maybe a better description

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects? (Solution uses OLE Automation with C# and maxscript)

FelixP5NJM — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 15:20:32 GMT

Sorry about that, I don't understand the definition very well. I am developing a "standalone" app and "control 3ds max" is just one of the functionalities.

Re: Is it possible to develop a standalone software using 3ds max SDK to control 3ds max projects? (Solution uses OLE Automation with C# and maxscript)

FelixP5NJM — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 15:20:59 GMT

Thank you, I will update the question.