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RapidPipeline for 3ds Max

An introduction on how to use the RapidPipeline 3ds Max plugin coming with powerful 3D Processor Features.

caution

The RapidPipeline 3ds Max Integration is not released yet. It will be released at upcoming Siggraph 2025.

Basic Usage​

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For installation instructions please refer to the RapidPipeline for 3ds Max Reference Docs.

Import a 3D or CAD Model​

  1. On top of the 3D Viewport choose RapidPipeline.
  2. Select the Import 3D or CAD File button.
  3. Choose from one of the available importer actions.
  4. Browse for your file to import.
  5. File is now imported into the scene. Note that CAD files are tessellated.
  6. You can now further edit the imported assets with Processing Actions!

Processing a 3D Model or Scene​

  1. Open a model in 3ds Max.
  2. On top of the 3D Viewport choose RapidPipeline.
  3. Select the mesh or meshes to be processed.
  4. Select the RapidPipeline Processing Action as desired.
  5. Click the Run button.
    • The selected meshes are processed.
    • The source mesh is hidden and a new Group is created for the results

      Screenshot of the RapidPipeline Processor UI

Exporting a 3D Model​

  1. On top of the 3D Viewport choose RapidPipeline.
  2. Select the Export button.
  3. Depending on the 3D format to export you can set some settings and press save.
tip

All Operations above are powered by the Actions Feature.

3ds Max Actions Guides​

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RapidPipeline Actions will be released and announced together with the new integrations at upcoming Siggraph 2025.

In the following you can find guides going through the usage of each RapidPipeline Action within the 3ds Max plugin:

Remesh and Bake Holes​

This tutorial contains these key points:
✔️ Use the 3ds Max Plugin
✔️ Select a part
✔️ Run an Action
✔️ Examine the results

This tutorial shows how use the RapidPipeline Processor Plugin in 3ds Max to simplify a 3D model. It walks through the use of the Remesh & Bake Holes Action , and explains how to use it for closing holes and baking them into Alpha information. For more information see the 3ds Max Plugin Documentation. The Add-On runs on a powerful 3D data optimization and automation toolset, for more about this see the 3D Processor Reference.

The asset used in this tutorial is a high-resolution wicker sofa model available free here from Sketchfab. Credits: "wicker sofa" (https://skfb.ly/prBJM) by M I H is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Screenshot of 3ds Max Add-On with the "Remesh and Bake Holes" action
The wicker sofa input model.

Screenshot of 3ds Max Add-On with the "Remesh and Bake Holes" action
The wicker sofa after processing the wicker.

Here is a preview of the processing´s output: the original wicker (top) is 811,008 triangles, and the output wicker (bottom) is 10,476 triangles.

The wicker has been remeshed, and textures were baked including an alpha map for the holes.

Screenshot of 3ds Max Add-On with the "Remesh and Bake Holes" action
The remeshed wicker sofa (upper left), baked color (upper right), baked alpha (lower left), and baked normal (lower right).

Remesh and Bake Holes Action​

  1. First step is to make sure the RapidPipeline Processor Plugin for 3ds Max is installed and ready to use.

  2. Open the Plugin via the Menu Bar, clicking on “RapidPipeline” and “Load Plugin”

  3. Select the wicker mesh by clicking on it in the Viewport.

  4. Inside the Plugin window, choose the Action Remesh and Bake Holes.

  5. Press the Run button.

Screenshot of 3ds Max Add-On with the "Remesh and Bake Holes" action
Location of the UI in the Menu Bar

Screenshot of 3ds Max Add-On with the "Remesh and Bake Holes" action
The Remesh and Bake Holes Action opened in the Plugin

Examine the Results​

To see the results with proper shading and the effect of the alpha baking, enable “High Quality” from the Viewport Shading drop-down menu.

Screenshot of 3ds Max Add-On with the "Remesh and Bake Holes" action
"High Quality” option in the Viewport Shading drop-down menu

To see the difference in the mesh and inspect the holes-closure even closer, select the “Clay” effect from the Visual Style & Appearance Menu. You will so be able to see the mesh differences between input and output.

Screenshot of 3ds Max Add-On with the "Remesh and Bake Holes" action
The Input in ”Clay” Visual Style

Screenshot of 3ds Max Add-On with the "Remesh and Bake Holes" action
The Output in ”Clay” Visual Style

If you want to inspect your model in a web-viewer, you can export the FBX and upload it to the RapidPipeline Web Platform for conversion into other formats, like GLB and USDz.

Next Steps​

To optimize the cushions, try the Decimate Mesh action!