If you have the Autodesk Design Suite or both AutoCAD 2012 and 3ds Max 2012 or 3ds Max Design 2012 then this new Autodesk Labs posted technology preview might be a really interesting. This Quick Send to 3ds Max combines or links the workflows of AutoCAD and 3ds Max Design.
Go from your AutoCAD design to an eye pleasing visualization in 3ds max with the click of a button. This works for single files or for multiple people working on a shared project. You can send 2D or 3D content which are then linked one direction AutoCAD to 3ds Max. When you change the AutoCAD geometry the resulting linked content in 3ds Max updates.
Why 3ds Max and not the AutoCAD built-in Render engine you ask? While both share the same underlying technology, 3ds Max allows much more control and visualization features including animation and more.
Quick Send to 3ds Max
http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/acad_quicksend_3dsmax/
YouTube videos:
AutoCAD Quick Send to 3ds Max (part 1)
AutoCAD Quick Send to 3ds Max (part 2)
Give it a try, then send us your feedback.
Cheers,
Shaan
Ahhhh, finally! This seems like a natural thing to implement. If the decision were left up to me, I would definitely make this feature permanent. I speak as someone who doesn’t have any experience at all with 3DS Max yet, but who has been thoroughly enjoying the possibilities afforded me by the conceptual modeling tools in the standard AutoCAD product. This is a very welcome tool because once the day comes I decide to move some of my static models to 3DS Max I’ll be able to do so much more easily. Perhaps I was mistaken (which wouldn’t be surprising–I’m a neophyte) but I was at a loss as to how I might go about doing CAD to 3DS Max migrations before this, given that 3DS max doesn’t support .dwg files. Again, this is very much appreciated. I can’t believe I’m the first to comment. I guess thats probably because most folks when thinking of 3D design skip the intro and go straight to 3DS Max. I’m taking the cautious route. Lol
Thank you for the feedback. While 3ds Max does support DWG files this is an easy way people can move their designs to Max easily or a shared scene. No import linking steps required just run the Quick Send to Max plugin from within AutoCAD.
Cheers,
Shaan