3Ds Max 2022 Custom splash screen doesn't work

[GalRotem6522]

Splash.bmp in rgb mode doesn't work anymore.

[RobH2]

I had no idea you could do this but I'm intrigued now. I searched my system and I don't have any "Splash.BMP" on my system related to Max at all. I see them for Oculus, Adobe and Unreal Engine, but not for Autodesk or Max. 

Is it possible that it's controlled by a different file type now? Although, I do have Max 2020 and 2021 installed as well. Neither of those have the file. I also did some Google searches and found info about it. One of them said make sure that the "S" was capitalized. Have you tried all the variations just to see, like, "splash.bmp, splash.BMP, Splash.bmp, Splash.BMP" ? Maybe the case sensitivity has changed and might also include the extension. Just pulling at straws but worth a try. 

I did find a 'splash.dll'. I don't have a decompiler so I can't open it. If you can, maybe there are some hints in it. I did find this when I just opened it in Notepad:  S:\3ds_Max_2020_DI\src\3dswin\bin\x64\Release\splash.pdb   I think that's a database though. 

[GalRotem6522]

Hey Rob. Before the 2022 version you could put any bmp image named splash.bmp in the 3ds max root directory and it would work.

I have also tried capitalizing the letters. Didn't work for me.

[RobH2]

I always enjoy doing things like that. What's odd on my end is that I have 2020 and 2021 still installed and I don't have a 'Splash.bmp' at all for either one? Maybe by default there isn't one, but, if you put one in, it will use it. I'll try that. I was thinking that there was one installed by Max and you just replaced it. But, maybe it's empty unless you add your own. 

[RobH2]

I think the 'splash.dll' has a bug that is preventing this. I wish I knew more about opening them. I grabbed the 'splash.dll' from Max 2021 and dropped it into Max 2022. Max would not even begin to open...dooooh! So I restored the original .dll and Max was working again, albeit, without my personal splash screen. 

I did open it (splash.dll) ignorantly in Notepad a I like to do for all kinds of files for fun. I found this:  " :/splash/splash_logo.png " mixed in with a bunch of unreadable stuff. I tried using a PNG instead of BMP, no-go. I tried putting PNG and BMP in a 'splash' subfolder in the Max root. NO-GO...  I looked for a Max installed 'splash' folder everywhere, and nodda! So that's not it. Arggg...  So, I guess we are out of luck until someone fixes it or informs a coding noob like me what's up. 

I also found an article on the web saying that Mudbox has a new Environment Variable (MUDBOX_ICON_PATH) that allowed you to have a personal splash screen. I added one called '3DSMAX_ICON_PATH' and pointed to my new 'splash' folder in the Max root. No-go. 

Fortunately, this is just a fun thing and not an issue that affects Max's functionality.  🙂

[RobH2 · Accepted solution]

I figured it out. It's a 'Command Line' option for the '3dsmax.exe' file. 

Right click on your Max launch icon and go to 'Properties'. That will take you to the shortcut that launches Max. Add this to the end of the 'Target' like this:  '-a Splash.bmp'

For example:  "[your path to Max]\3ds Max 2022\3dsmax.exe" /Language=ENU -a Splash.bmp

Then it will work. Yea!  🙂

[Diffus3d]

Impressive @RobH2 

[GalRotem6522]

Thanks @RobH2

This is great

[RobH2]

@GalRotem6522 , I know it's a simple thing and kind of a useless thing, but I can't tell you how much I enjoy seeing my own splash screen as Max starts. Thanks for posting this question which allowed me to know that this even existed. I had no idea. It's silly I guess, but it's fun... 🙂

[spacefrog_]

Did'nt know one can pass a custom splash screen at the commandline - so this is great info !

I have another hint which is'nt known:

Settting NO_3DSMAX_SPLASHSCREEN  environment variable to "1", disables 3ds max screens globally ( at least on the more recent Max versions, don't know when this was introduced

NO_3DSMAX_SPLASHSCREEN=1

[RobH2]

Yep, that makes total sense. Since that command starts with 'No' then '0' would allow it and '1' would mean, "yes, don't have a splashscreen." Kind of counterintuitive. You'd think the code would be "3DSMAX_SPLASHSCREEN=1" to have the splashscreen and "0" to disable it, for simplicity...  Regardless, code is fun, eh?

[5vil]

Really cool find RobH2. I just tried 2022 yesterday, and quickly notice custom splash no longer works as previous version (for all max I used since max 9 to 2020, it always works. I haven't tried 2021 though). Turns out it has a command line parameter that allow it. I kinda expect someone else already solve this issue, glad to find out it really was.

[oliver]

Great! It also works with .png and °°°alpha°°°:

[RobH2]

For those who still do want a custom splashscreen, the same code works for Max 2023. I just tested it. 

[mustafamamdouh]

Thanks all for your tips, It worked with 3ds Max 2023 very well, however, It's linked only to specific shortcuts, And not related directly to the 3dsmax.exe file, So each time you open the file.max it opened with the original Splash :(, So can we add that to 3dsmax.exe directly? Or add this command line to "System Environment Variable"? Or does the Batch file work universally?
I don't have any programming skills so excuse my noob questions :D?

[RobH2]

I've been trying to figure that out as well. Yes, it works in shortcuts but if you double click a Max file it will open from the main executable and that uses the default splash screen. If I figure it out I'll write back. Maybe someone else will weigh in with a solution. 

[RobH2]

I've been doing some reading. I'm not a programmer so I only know what I read.

You can't add a parameter or flag to an executable. You can only add it to a shortcut. We know that. But, you can modify how an execuable launches using a Batch file. You add the path and flag and lauch using that. Problem is, how to you tell the system to use the Batch file when you double click on a '.max' file. The system will go to the '.exe' that is registered to the program, not to the Batch file. 

I'm not sure this can be done. 

[dmitriy.shpilevoy]

Will max show any image size and proportions or enlarge, shrink and squish anything that doesn't fit?

[RobH2]

If you like your own Splash Screen when Max launches, like I do, I'm confirming the custom Splash Screen snipped still works. I just used it on Max 2027. See the 'Message 6 of xx' above for directions. 

So, have fun and go make a cool one....