Xref scenes with xref objects crash Max

[renar-visuals]

I need help with a bunch of xref scenes that I'm trying to import in a master scene file. In each of the xref scenes I have xref objects. These xref objects are used across every xref scene. If I convert the xref objects in the xref scenes to editable poly, I no longer get crashes when I import the xref scenes in the master scene. If I leave the xref objects as such, as soon as I import more than one xref scene in the master file, I get a crash.

This happens in both Max 2016 and 2017. How can I have more than one xref scene imported without having to turn the xref objects to editable poly? I need the xref objects to stay as such because if there is a change in any of these, they will update in all xref scenes automatically and this saves a lot of time that otherwise will be wasted if I manually have to merge the new versions of the updated objects.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

Hello @renar-visuals,

Thank you for the great description of the problem.  Which modifiers are on the stack for these objects that work when converted?  I wonder if there is a specific modifier that is losing information on import causing the problem.  Would it help if I created a private folder for you so I can investigate this personally?  I think it would help a lot.  

I wonder, if you just put an Edit Poly on top of those objects, does it also work?  Thanks for the information.

Best Regards,

[renar-visuals]

Thanks for the reply. The xref objects have no modifiers applied on them.

By the way, I just made some experiments and found out that if I apply a grey material on all objects in the xref scenes, I no longer get crashes! So I think it's because of the xref materials. I used xref materials on all objects in the xref scenes. Could this be the bug that caused the problem? I really need to use xref materials though because if at any point a material should change, I need this change to be reflected across the whole project quickly. It would take me a lot of time to manually change the materials in 50 scenes by hand.

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

Hello @renar-visuals,

So converting them to poly *or* changing the materials fixes this issue?  Strange.. I wonder how are those two things are related.  What kind of materials are these?  If I created a private folder, could you share this scene with me?  I have a feeling the best method to solve this is if I can get my hands on it to look into this.   Based on your sig this seems to be in Max 2016 but I wanted to confirm that, please.  Thanks!

Best Regards,

[renar-visuals]

Correct, replacing the xref materials with a clay material seems to fix the problem. Yes, I can share the files privately under the condition that they won't be distributed to third parties or used for any other purposes other than troubleshooting the issue.

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

Thanks for that @renar-visuals.  The default with all support requests is that the files are not shared with any 3rd party.  You can see more information here, specifically section 5.1  

I have set up a private folder for you if you'd like to upload your files there. You should get an email about it shortly, and if you don't see it please check your SPAM folder. These files are private and will not be shared with anyone but yourself and the support staff. Please let me know if you have any questions. Please use at least an 8 character password or the Box account may not work properly.

Best Regards,

[renar-visuals]

Thanks, I just uploaded the files. You'll find 3 archives. One contains the studio scene and the other two are the models I'm trying to put in the scene as xref scenes.

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

Thanks for doing that @renar-visuals.  I'll get back to you tomorrow with more information.  

Best Regards,

[Alfred.DeFlaminis · Accepted solution]

Hello @renar-visuals,

Thanks for the scene files, I had a chance to look around in here.   I have 3 files, a studio file and on that ends in 2 and another that ends in 4.   When I try to XRef Scene both into studio, for me it crashes right away.  I checked the logs and saw it was related to xref unloading.  This happened two more times. 

I tried merging all the xref objects in 2 and 4 into their scenes, but leaving materials and then XRef Scene those files into the Studio file.  Problem did go away then.  So I think that is one option.  

I could repro with changing the materials to a gray standard material, fixing the issue.  I wasn't able to repro converting everything to poly, for me it still crashed.  Then I tried XReffing into the studio scene as XRef object instead of xref scene and that worked fine.  Is that an option for you?  The materials stay as XRef materials so I think the primary goal is still accomplished.  This also has the extra bonus of allowing you to manipulate the objects in the studio scene.  (Rotate a bit, etc.)  

As a final test I uninstalled Vray in 2016 and tried again.  Worked with no issues.  This doesn't mean that the problem is 100% Vray but it does mean that it's exposed by it.  Vlado would be interested in this information I'd think.  It maybe an error with both Vray and XRef Scene that only surfaces when combined, it's hard for me to say.

Is this helpful?  Please hit the "Accept as Solution" button if my post solves your issue or answers your question. This lets me know that I was effective in helping you, and thank you for doing so.

Best Regards,

[renar-visuals]

Thanks a lot for the help and detailed steps. I will check these alternative options. I might try to contact Chaos Group to get them to have a look at it too since you mention it goes away if the xref materials are not Vray.

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

Thank you @renar-visuals, I appreciate it.  If you have any questions or problems please let me know and I'll do whatever I can to help.  Xref's into Studio as objects instead of scenes seems to be the best option as it keeps your Xref mats and allows you to rotate the hero objects a few degrees.  Thanks!

Best Regards,

[Anonymous]

Hi.......i created xref objects for my project and iam merging those scene file but.....manually its working fine but when i using drag and drop objects into scene ..objects are not visible its showing helper points (clusters) and i had to to do proxy option enable and disable once (in modifier roll out )or else have to update  in xref object dialog box  even when i import same object again same issue iam getting then iam using below script to visible those objects. but what the reason for this issue every  time its difficult to run this script  ....is there any solution for this .

---script--

for obj in objects where IsKindOf obj XRefObject do

(

                obj.proxyFileName = pathConfig.convertPathToUnc obj.proxyFileName

                obj.fileName = pathConfig.convertPathToUnc obj.fileName

                updateXRef obj

)

Thanx 🙂