Can't create new objects in scene

[Anonymous]

The situation is in the title: I'm unable to create new objects in any scene in 3ds max. 

I tried different things I could see in forums and even uninstalled and reinstalled but nothing works, I cannot work anymore. The thing is that literally nothing happens when I try to create either an object, a spline, light, camera,... I doesn't show the dimensions, it's not a hidden layer since I cannot see it in the creation history and I have no idea what to do anymore... 

I hope someone can bring me an answer.

Thanks in advance.

[10DSpace]

@Anonymous 

The thing is that literally nothing happens when I try to create either an object, a spline, light, camera,... I doesn't show the dimensions, it's not a hidden layer since I cannot see it in the creation history

Some questions and suggestions for you to help diagnose the problem:

 1. Is it just the creation of new objects that is the issue, i.e., are you able to open existing scenes in max with objects displayed and the ability to transform them, etc.

2. Try typing the following in the script listener:

sphere() 

and hit enter.  If a sphere is created at the origin, this may indicate that the basic functionality of object creation is in tact, but there is something wrong with the GUI/Menu & tool bars.  

3. What version of max are you using and what are your computer system specifications?

4. Is this new behavior of Max on your system, ie, Max was working fine for you and you have created multiple scenes, but then all of a sudden you cannot create new objects?  Or is this your first installation of Max on this computer?

5. Have you installed any plug-ins?

[Anonymous]

Hello and thank you for your answer!

1. I can actually do everything else normally. I can open scenes and I can see and modify objects. 

2. I typed the command and it works, I can see that as sphere was created. 

3. I am using the 2019 version and my computer specifications are the following:

Intel Core I7-7700Q CPU @ 2.80GHz 2.81 GHz

RAM 16.0 GB (with 15.9 GB free)

4. Max was working fine before and I do have created multiple scenes before this problem suddenly appeared. 

5. I have no plug-ins installed.

[10DSpace]

@Anonymous 

I don’t know if you already tried this, but you if not you should rename your ENU folder at

C:\Users\[UsrName]\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsmax\2019 - 64bit\ENU     to “ENU.Bak”

Then start Max and a fresh ENU folder will be generated by Max.  In this ENU folder are various configuration files that sometimes get corrupted and produce strange results with menus and toolbars. The downside is that you will loose any customization of toolbars and menus that you may have done, but you can reconstruct these and the ENU.BAK folder has the subdirectories of usermacros and userscripts that you were using at the time of renaming and resetting the ENU folder. 

This is explained here:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/3ds-max/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Resettin...

I hope this fixes it for you.  But in the event that this does not fix the problem, are you able to create objects via the Create Menu at the top of the screen?  I think most users use the create panel on the right, and never really use the separate Create Menu in the main menu bar at top.   It may be helpful in further diagnosis even though it seems like this menu just activates the Create panel button of the object type.   Also, when you click on the create Panel on say the Box object type, does it get highlighted or not?

[jon.bell]

Hi Amy,

Thank you for your question, and I'm sorry that your copy of 3ds Max is having this issue.

I second the notion of resetting your 3ds Max preferences, since something may have gotten corrupted in your settings.

However, if you have a default 3dsmax.max start file, then that may be overwriting some of your startup preferences after Max loads. One thing that could be causing this object creation problem is that somehow your default object controllers have been changed. You can reset them by going to Customize > Preferences > Animation tab, and then clicking on the Restore to Factory Settings button in the lower right-hand corner.

In addition, can you make sure that you're running the 3ds Max Security Tools for your copy of Max?

Please let us know if this information helps, and we hope to hear from you soon!

[Anonymous]

I tried and, sadly, it didn't work either... Thanks for still trying thought.

[Anonymous]

I tried to reset the preferences but it didn't change. 

I don't know if I had the security tool, but I downloaded it just in case.

[jon.bell]

Hi Amy,

Are you still having this issue? If so, could you please create a formal technical support case, put my name in the title, and then submit it? If so, I'd like to call you from the case and do a Team Viewer session to review what's happening with your system. Resetting your preferences and default object controller types should fix this issue for you, so if those aren't working, I'd very much like to remote into your system and take a look.

Can you please let us know?

Thank you, and take care!

[djfaktor]

how did you solve it?