Share Material Library with a client?? Dropbox?

[Anonymous]

Both my client and I work from a shared Dropbox, so we both have access to the same maps, textures, etc. Is it possible to share a .mat with them in a way that doesn't break all of the links to the textures? The only way I can think of is to create a scene with a bunch of shaders assigned to spheres and then collect everything into a maps folder... But I wonder if there isn't an easier way.

Thank You.

Dave

[10DSpace]

@Anonymous 

In case you are not aware of these options..... Have you tried the Max Resource Collector Utility (Utility panel> More>Resource Collector) explained here:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/3ds-max/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2019/ENU/3DSMax-Manage-Scenes/files/GUID-7109A5FC-94E9-4B7A-A46E-38637CDDCE3B-htm.html

It collects the maps for you in a single directory along with the Max file if you want.   The materials and maps used in the scene should be available to anyone opening the max file with paths to the maps consolidated by the utility.    There is also a script called "Bitmap Collector" which is available as part of a very useful free collection of scripts here:

http://www.neilblevins.com/cg_tools/scripts/3dsmax/soulburnscripts.htm

Personally, I use the bitmap collector script.   The Max documentation advises "Warning: The Resource Collector does not collect maps used for displacement mapping or as light projections."  The Bitmap collector script does not have this limitation.  

[Anonymous]

Thanks for that. I use FileFinderPro to collect everything. What I was asking is how can I sare a Material Library (.mat) with a client and not have the links broken. What you're describing assume that I have a scene populated with all of the materials I want to share. I can do that, but there must be an easier way to share a hundred shaders than to create a new scene with a hundred spheres?