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RapidPipeline for 3ds Max

Overview​

The RapidPipeline 3ds Max Integration Plugin enables you to use RapidPipeline Actions directly within the 3ds Max UI as a plugin.

Process, optimize & simplify selected 3D models interactively and 100% locally.

The RapidPipeline 3ds Max Integration Plugin window

System Requirements​

  • 3ds Max Version: 2023 or later
  • Operating System: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
  • Memory: 8GB RAM minimum, 16GB recommended
  • Storage: 1GB free space for plugin installation
  • Internet Connection: Required for plugin license authentication only.

Installation​

How to install the RapidPipeline 3ds Max Integration Plugin.

  • Uninstall earlier versions of the plugin before installing a new version.

1. Get a RapidPipeline Account with Integrations​

Start your 14-day free trial or subscribe to a Pro or Studio plan.

If a RapidPipeline subscription is already attached to the account, and if the plan includes API access, then RapidPipeline Integrations are available for use.

2. Download the package​

  • Sign in the RapidPipeline Web Platform.

  • Scroll down to see the Integrations, and download the latest installer for your application.

  • If you need a different installer version, click on Get other versions.

The Integrations Download page offers all current available RapidPipeline Integration packages for download.

Please note the OS specific naming of the packages (e.g. macOS) and the different tags of the installer packages depending on additional functionalities (e.g. CAD Edition). Some packages with additional functionalities such as CAD Edition might require a specific subscription tier or addon package. Learn more on the RapidPipeline Pricing Overview Page.

If you are an end-user of the plugins and do not have your own account, or you are an account manager and want to distribute the plugin packages to users, please refer to our Public Integrations Downloads page. Note that a valid Token from a RapidPipeline account is still required to activate the given integration and generate a seat.

3. Extract the package​

We provide packages in Autodesk Application Plug-in Package Format. Your download should consist of a compressed ZIP file. The contents (a folder called RapidPipelineFor3dsMax) should be extracted into your Autodesk ApplicationPlugins folder, as instructed below.

  • Extract the contents of the ZIP package.

  • Navigate to the Autodesk ApplicationPlugins folder. On Windows, this can typically be found by opening a File Explorer and entering this into the address bar:

    %PROGRAMDATA%\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins

    Screenshot of the File Explorer being pointed at the directory above

  • Copy the extracted RapidPipelineFor3dsMax folder, and paste it into the Autodesk ApplicationPlugins folder.

  • After copying the contents of the ZIP file you should then see this folder structure:

    %PROGRAMDATA%\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\RapidPipelineFor3dsMax

  • Restart 3ds Max. You should see a new RapidPipeline menu added to your main menu bar:

    Screenshot of 3dsMax plugin menu

  • Click on Load Plugin to open the RapidPipeline plugin.

    Screenshot of 3dsMax plugin menu

  • If not obtained already, a RapidPipeline Authentication Token will be needed.

4. Enter the RapidPipeline Authentication Token​

Watch the video above, or for step-by-step instructions see Integrations Seat Management to learn how to generate and install an Authentication Token.

5. Learn How to Use RapidPipeline​

Congratulations! The RapidPipeline 3ds Max Integration Plugin is now ready to be used.

Upgrading the Plugin​

To upgrade to a new version of the plugin, we recommend uninstalling the old plugin first.

  • Close all 3ds Max installations currently running.

  • Delete the previous RapidPipelineFor3dsMax folder from the Autodesk ApplicationPlugins folder in:

    %PROGRAMDATA%\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins

  • Install the new version by following the installation steps outlined above.

Known limitations​

  • Currently, only Static Meshes are supported. Animated meshes are not supported.

  • Only Physical Materials are supported, because the plugin uses FBX as an intermediary format. V-Ray, Corona and Arnold materials are not supported.

    • If the materials of your model are not Physical Materials, try built-in 3ds max scene converter. Conversion usually works well from simple materials such as Standard Material or Metallic Roughness Material into the required Physical Material.

  • Procedural and geometry-dependent texture map nodes, such as Noise and V-Ray Dirt, will not be exported correctly. An approximation will be used. To properly convert scenes with V-Ray materials and procedural textures try the RapidPipeline DCC Importer for 3ds Max.

  • In screens set to smaller resolutions, e.g. under 1080p, the plugin dialog may not be dockable in the 3ds Max sidebars.

  • During the intermediate FBX import/export operations, if the plugin dialog is not docked, the dialog may disappear until the import/export operation is concluded.

  • Files created during the optimization process will be stored in the same folder your scene is stored in (under rpd_temp_files). These files are kept resident because textures may be referenced by your 3ds Max scene. Should you choose to delete some of these results in your scene, the files with optimization/import data (typically FBX files) will remain where they were. You are free to delete any such data that is not referenced anymore.

  • If you work in a scene that has not been saved yet these results will be stored and remain in your RapidPipeline for 3ds Max plugin folder (as per your installation, see above.) If you then save the scene, these files will still remain and be referenced there, although any new new files created will now be stored in the scene folder.

Contact Us​

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