Serious issue with 2025 file paths for bitmaps.

[clambert3QNH2]

Numerous times, I open a file in 3dsMax 2025, and the file paths for bitmaps are wrong.  If you look at the material/map, it says it's looking at folder A to get the image.  But it's not actually looking at folder A, it's looking at folder B for the map.  And then when I save, all the maps actually switch to looking at folder A, which doesn't exist or is not accessible, and those maps are now missing.  It's repeatable and a big headache.  Something wrong with 2025, because I've never had this issue before.  

We're also having issues of 2025 changing Vray materials to Physical materials.  I just opened a file and a material for a Chaos Cosmos model was a physical material (and texture path incorrect) which would never happen.

Thanks - Chris 

[RobH2]

Do you use the 'Resource Collector' function in 'Utilities' to consolodate all of the bitmaps in the folder you'd like them in? That can solve a lot of these kinds of problems. Also, there is a very useful plugin called "Relink Bitmaps' (Google it). It's inexpensive and will allow you to easily reconnect bitmaps. It's a lifesaver. 

Lastly, check the path of the 'Active Project' in the upper left. Max was changed a few years ago in an effort to add some sort of functionality to multiple projects, but in my opinion, it made Max way harder to use. Make sure that the bitmaps are in the correct Project folder listed there. 

[MartinBeh]

3ds Max has a set of folders where it tries to find missing assets, i.e. the ones where the path string is either not a full path or where the file specified simply cannot be found. This set includes the folder of the .max file you are loading, as well as the image paths defined in your 3ds Max session.

I cannot remember 3ds Max actually changing the path names, even if it found the asset in some other place. I would expect it to keep the path the same, unless you use the Asset Tracking System (ATS) to update/change the asset paths.

Can you provide a bit more detail on your case? 

Pick one asset that is affected by this, then show a screenshot of the ATS, and also show a screenshot of the path in the map/material. Also show what 3ds Max reports when you load that scene (there should be a Missing Assets dialog at the start?). Finally I would suggest to use a bit of MAXScript to extract the real value of the image path but this depends on your material setup.

[Diffus3d]

Can you record a video of the materials changing?  That seems very unlikely without user input, but if it is happening that needs to get logged for sure.  A video would go a long way to reproducing it.

Best Regards,

[clambert3QNH2]

It would be a long video of me opening can closing Max.  And I work my clients whose work we can't share.  But here's what happens.

1 - Open file in 3dsMax 2025.  It says it's reading a map from the C drive of a coworker (which is impossible).  Map is visible and renders.  It's not actually looking at the C drive, it's looking at the 0 network drive we all share (I know this because if I delete the map from the network, the map goes missing/does not render).  So 3ds Max 2025 is showing incorrect map locations.
2- Save the file and re-open, it now actually tries to look at C drive, which is impossible for it to see, so map is now missing.  Thus I have to remap all the images which is a waste of my time.

That's crazy, please fix.

[RobH2]

I feel your frustration but this is not where you ask for something to be fixed. You are just screaming into the woods and no one is around. This is primarily a user-to-user forum when we help each other solve issues. 

If you want to get some eyes on your concerns from the Devs, you need to report it elsewhere or, first, search and, if not found, add it to the Ideas Forum. Explain how you'd see it being "fixed" and explain how you'd like to see it work. Those get seen by the devs. 

You can use this link to contact Autodesk and get some help with fixing the way Max works. https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/3ds-max-forum/how-to-contact-autodesk-technical-support/m-p/13198603#...

Otherwise, I recommend the plugin I mentioned above , Relink Bitmaps. It will solve this issue for you and make your life so much better. 

[Diffus3d]

I can understand your frustration, but in order for something to be classified as a bug it needs to be reproducible and your issue is not.  That doesn't mean nobody can help, but it does mean we need visuals.  You can always hide the model stuff and save then reopen to a scene with no objects showing and it would still show the path dialog if anything is missing.  (Or the asset browser.)  

If I had to guess (and I do), your coworker linked additional paths into 3dsmax which you don't have, so it's checking those paths first (c:), not seeing them, then checking the project folder.  Or something.  

I will say that it's unlikely that the C: is impossible to see, 3dsmax keeps all kinds of temp files in the User folder.  There's very little chance that it doesn't have access to the C:.  (And still work properly.)

Best Regards,

[clambert3QNH2]

Tech support is a waste of time.  The only time anything was addressed is in this forum. Your plugin doesn't solve my problem, you obviously don't understand what I'm saying.

[clambert3QNH2]

Visuals aren't necessary.  It's a simple issue.  My coworkers don't add paths or use the project folder system. It's impossible for my computer to see my coworkers C drive (unless you do a lot of work which I haven't done).  

[RobH2]

@clambert3QNH2 

Tech Support is not a waste of time if you do it properly and professionally. Part of the reason for my response is because you said "please fix it." No one here is going to fix anything as far as the internal code of Max. What we can do here is help figure out what configuration settings might help you. Please don't lash out at us because we respond to what you write.

It's possible I don't yet fully understand, and maybe a little more in-depth explanation is needed. You really haven't described your issue very well and are kind of cryptic. You haven't described steps you've taked to try to solve it and what you've investigated as to what you think might be causing the problem. It could be a network issue and we don't have any idea how your network is configured as you have not shared that. Have you spoken with your IT person?

All we can do here is respond to what you give and you haven't given enough yet to be able to determine where the issue is coming from. 

Have you looked at the Asset Tracking (Shift+T) to see if the assets are listed and if the paths are set as 'relative' or set as 'absolute.' This link might help you diagnose if changing setting in Asset Tracking can correct the anamoly.   https://help.autodesk.com/view/3DSMAX/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-A1FF4248-D96A-447C-BB67-8D66D0AF494F

[Diffus3d]

Since no one else is able to repro and we aren't getting details needed to help, I suppose there's nothing left to say.  If you find time to provide details which may help us help you, please do.  

Best Regards,