The idea is to extend the existing XRef Material functionality in 3ds Max to support not only .max files but also .mat material library files as a source for linked materials across multiple scenes and projects. Currently, XRef Materials only allow users to reference materials from external .max files. While this is useful in some cases, working with a large number of scenes where consistency is crucial would benefit greatly from a central .mat material library that can be updated on the fly. Having to open a separate .max file just to tweak materials can be cumbersome and wastes valuable time that could be spent on look development. By allowing .mat files to be directly referenced as XRef Materials, updates made to the material library would automatically propagate to all linked scenes or could be refreshed manually with a button—similar to the current XRef Material workflow. This enhancement would streamline project-wide material management, reduce redundant steps, and significantly speed up iteration cycles. Additionally, a "Realize Material" button would allow users to break the link to the library and convert the material into a local instance when the live reference is no longer needed. This would provide maximum flexibility for final look adjustments without losing the benefits of centralized material control. Extending this functionality would further solidify 3ds Max's position as a leading tool for large-scale projects with streamlined workflow requirements.
