by Parametric Zoo·Workflow
Illustrative cover generated by AnyPlugins — no product screenshot available.
Sits at rank 22 in the Autodesk App Store library, and earns its place for a node-based approach to rule-based design, with Para Nodes collected and managed from a single Para settings dialog.
Para 3d is a collection of Level 2 scripted plug-ins from Parametric Zoo for Autodesk 3ds Max and 3ds Max Design. It lets users interact with and manipulate MaxScript functions to build rule-based design and animation. Its building blocks are Para Nodes, which behave like 3ds Max Helper objects: they store information about Max objects and can interact with them in a variety of ways.
Unlike Helper objects created from the Create Panel, Para Nodes can only be created and modified through Para 3d. The Para UI collects every Para Node in the scene and displays them as discrete nodes in the Para settings dialog. Nodes fall into two categories, Para Helper Objects and Para Controllers: Helpers handle interaction with 3ds Max objects, while Controllers work only in connection with Helpers, sending instructions that the Helpers use to perform operations on Max objects.
Version 5.0 ensured compatibility with 3ds Max 2021 and added mesh subdivision and smoothing to the Edit Poly node. This release lets the Link controller work with the Edit Poly node, supports construction of XY, YZ and ZX planes at a given point, and converts Object and Ray value types into strings through the Text controller.
Para 3d is best for 3ds Max and 3ds Max Design artists building rule-based design and animation through scripted, node-based manipulation of MaxScript functions.
Para 3d is completely free to download and use.
Para 3d runs on Autodesk 3ds Max and 3ds Max Design, and version 5.0 ensured compatibility with 3ds Max 2021. That same release fixed an error in updating the Para-Shape node reported in 3ds Max 2020. If you are on a particular build, check the developer's page from Parametric Zoo for the current list of supported 3ds Max versions before installing, since compatibility is documented per release.
Para 3d uses a custom installer rather than the standard App Store installer, so its setup differs from most Autodesk App Store entries. Follow the developer's instructions when downloading and running it. Once installed, remember that Para Nodes are created and modified through Para 3d itself rather than the 3ds Max Create Panel, so you work from the Para settings dialog after setup rather than the usual object creation flow.
Para 3d creates Para Nodes that behave like 3ds Max Helper objects, storing information about Max objects. Unlike Helper objects made from the Create Panel, Para Nodes can only be created and modified through Para 3d. The Para UI collects all Para Nodes in the scene and displays them as discrete nodes in the Para settings dialog, where you work with the two categories: Para Helper Objects, which act on Max objects, and Para Controllers, which drive those Helpers.
Para 3d is listed as free in this catalog. For current licensing terms and any conditions tied to its custom installer, check the developer's page from Parametric Zoo. The plugin covers both Autodesk 3ds Max and 3ds Max Design, and version 5.0, dated July 2020, is the release documented here, so confirm the latest available version and its licensing on the developer's page before you download.
Also in Workflow for 3ds Max.
by PolyTools3D
PolyUnwrapper is a set of professional UV tools for 3ds Max, built by PolyTools3D for texture artists in the architectural and game industries. It gathers features aimed at improving the unwrapping workflow inside the program.
by Moicon
MOICON Digital Twin, listed for 3ds Max, uses Autodesk Forge and digital twinning technology to organize manufacturing data from machines, components, sensors, devices and workers into easy-to-read, instantly available breakdowns the whole operation can reference.
by Kstudio
Project Manager is an asset library tool for 3ds Max that classifies 3D models automatically by type, material, form, and style using a local AI engine, with search by colour, visual similarity, and name.
by ProtoTech Solutions and Services Pvt. Ltd
ProtoTech's WebGL Exporter for 3ds Max exports solid bodies directly into HTML files, producing interactive 3D models that can be viewed in any modern web browser. This trial edition runs for 15 uses or a 7-day period.
by Sketchfab
Sketchfab for Autodesk 3ds Max publishes your models directly to the Sketchfab web service in a few clicks, handling the exporting, zipping and uploading so you skip the manual steps.
by JTB World Inc.
JTB FlexReport LT is a freeware add-in from JTB World for 3ds Max that creates HTML reports on current usage of FlexNet/FLEXlm network licenses. Autodesk Network License Manager and other FlexNet vendors are supported.
by Colin Senner
Relink Bitmaps is a 3ds Max script for relinking missing assets — bitmaps, VRay proxies, VRayHDRI, IES files and Mental Ray proxies — when files change directories or you move to a new computer.
by Inglobe Technologies
AR-media, developed by Inglobe Technologies, exports Autodesk 3ds Max models directly into the AR-media Studio platform, where you can create Augmented and Virtual Reality experiences and add events, interactions, digital assets and media.
by SiNi Software
Forensic is a scene-cleanup and diagnostics app from SiNi Software for 3ds Max that interrogates 3D scenes, removes CAD and Revit blocks, unifies normals, and searches for and removes malicious MAXScripts, ADL, CRP and ADSL.
by 3DZver
V-RayMax Converter PRO is a 3ds Max script that converts materials, maps, lights, cameras, proxies and render elements from various render engines to V-Ray, and from V-Ray to Corona Renderer. It also outputs Standard, Physical, PBR/OpenPBR and glTF materials.
by Hannes
Dark Listener enables dark mode for the 3ds Max listener, switching it on automatically at startup. The darker background is easier on the eyes and reduces eye strain during late-night work, with no manual setup after install.
