FBX Import hangs on "Import Envelopes" in Max 2023

[mattbenai2003]

Hi all,

I'm trying to import the attached .fbx file into 3DS Max 2023, but when the progress bar at the bottom reads "Import Envelopes," the program hangs and needs to be manually stopped in Task Manager. Linking the file doesn't work either. I've tried with a couple of other .fbx files and received the same results. The file imports perfectly into Blender (from which it was originally exported). I've tried the solutions in other forum posts about similar issues, tried various import settings, and tried a clean reinstallation of Max as well, all to no avail. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[Libei.Wang]

Hello @mattbenai2003 ,

Thank you for reporting this issue and attaching the FBX.  I have logged it in our database and will inform you once a fix is available. 

Best regards,

Libei

[Fahad_ALAsmari]

I hope so hopefully.

[ivan.dinev]

Similar issue with me here:

Import Envelopes. Hang. No progress on the bar.

Same object imports normally in Blender.

Thank you!

[harumscarum]

same problem here!

max 2023.1 - no progress on the Import Envelopes

max 2022.3 - works fine

please share solution

[mikeluard]

I'm getting this is 2023.2.2 - just trying to import a 30mb .fbx file. Any fix for this? This error is ruining my work day

[davidjohan405]

To import an FBX file: Launch 3ds Max. Select Application Menu > Import, and use the file browser to locate the FBX file you want to import. If you do not see FBX file extension the File of Type menu, it did not correctly install or is not the correct version.

[mattbenai2003]

I appreciate the thought, but that's exactly what I did to begin with. The issue is not with initiating the import process, it is with some bug in the software which causes the import process to freeze midway. 

By the way, does anybody know if Autodesk has made any progress with this bug in the last few months?

[ProjektPinguin]

Hello, same issue here. Not new, happened in most previous versions as well. FBX super useless right now.

How can it be that a free software like Blender manages stuff like this just fine but 3ds Max for some reason cant?

[therealeel]

I have the exact same issue.  Max begins the import process, but then hangs on the point where it says "import envelopes".

[robZZJSQ]

I'm having the same issue. I will install all the updates and comment here if that fixes the issue. 

[robZZJSQ]

Completely up to date and still not working. just hangs on import envelopes. 64 core threadripper/256gb ddr4

[Fahad_ALAsmari]

woow they need to get their s* together at this point your hardware is godly !

[philQGQMZ]

If you are just trying to import a regular mesh (nothing with a skeleton or bones) I found workaround for this.

Click import and in bottom left of the fbx import window click 'edit preset'

navigate to include -> Animation -> Deformations and disable both skins and morphs. Not sure which is causing the problem, but disabling these will get your import to skip the envelopes issue and complete the import process!

[samuel]

Out of curiousity...what kinds of FBX are you trying to import?
trying with a metahuman exported from unreal right now and it hangs in both Max 2023 AND max 2020 on importing envelopes.
So I´m wondering if its really been broken for so long or if its about the metahuman rig...

[therealeel]

It's definately the rig, as philQGQMZ pointed out, if you untick the options for skin and morphs, you will find the metahuman model will import without any issues.

[graeme.palmer]

Same issue here with Max 2024, importing a MetaHuman fbx. 

[graeme.palmer]

And yes, Blender opened the same fbx no bother at all...

[DEBEAULIEUVALENTINE3642]

same problem, with an export FBX from revit to 3dsmax 2023.
freeze at this end of the process, Import Envelopes
No human in it... 

thanks for your help

[samuel]

Sorry for the late reply,

I actually did some more testing, specifically with the metahuman rig and as it turns out, it DOES import...it just takes forever.
Been a while since I tried this, but I think it was something like half an hour to an hour at least.
So, would be nice if that was faster, but in the end, we probably need to wait for a specific Metahuman to 3ds max workflow from epic games, unless that also happens with other complex rigs.