Okay, here is how you set units in 3ds Max:
You set units in 3ds Max primarily through the Units Setup dialog box, accessed from the Customize menu.
Setting up your units correctly in 3ds Max is essential for accurate modeling, animation, and interoperability with other software or real-world measurements. There are two main aspects to consider: the Display Unit Scale and the System Unit Setup.
Display Unit Scale
The Display Unit Scale determines how units are shown in the 3ds Max interface, such as in spinners, dialogs, and the grid.
Here’s how you typically set it up:
- Go to the Customize menu in the 3ds Max main menu bar.
- Choose Units Setup.
- In the Units Setup dialog box, you will see the Display Unit Scale section.
- By default, this might be set to Generic Units. As the reference notes, these "are actually currently inches" when the display scale is switched.
- To set a specific unit type for display, select from the available options:
- US Standard: Allows you to choose Feet w/Decimal Inches, Feet w/Fractional Inches, Decimal Inches, or Fractional Inches. As mentioned in the reference, you can switch to US Standard and from the pull down list, make sure it says decimal inches.
- Metric: Allows you to choose Millimeters, Centimeters, Meters, or Kilometers.
- Custom: Lets you define your own display units.
- Select your desired unit type (e.g., US Standard > Decimal Inches or Metric > Centimeters).
- Click Okay to apply the display unit changes.
System Unit Setup
While the Display Unit Scale affects how units are shown to you, the System Unit Setup determines the internal working units that 3ds Max uses for calculations and interactions with other files. This is crucial for maintaining correct scale when importing or exporting geometry.
To set your System Units:
- In the same Units Setup dialog box (accessed via Customize > Units Setup), click the System Unit Setup button.
- In the System Unit Setup dialog, you will see "1 Unit =".
- Choose the unit type from the dropdown list (e.g., Inches, Feet, Millimeters, Centimeters, Meters, Kilometers, Generic Units).
- The value will update automatically (e.g., if you choose Centimeters, it will likely show 1.0 Centimeters). This means that one internal system unit is equal to one centimeter.
- It's highly recommended to set your system units to a standard measurement unit (like Centimeters or Inches) and ideally, keep it consistent across all your projects and when working with assets from other sources.
- Click Okay in the System Unit Setup dialog.
- Click Okay in the main Units Setup dialog.
Important Note: Changing System Units in a scene that already contains geometry can potentially scale the existing geometry. It's best practice to set your System Units before starting a new project or immediately after opening a file if you know the intended scale.
Quick Summary
| Setting | Purpose | Where to Change | Example Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Units | How units are shown in the interface | Customize > Units Setup | US Standard (Decimal Inches), Metric (Centimeters) |
| System Units | The internal working units of 3ds Max | Units Setup > System Unit Setup | Inches, Centimeters, Meters |
By properly configuring both the Display Unit Scale and the System Unit Setup, you ensure that your 3ds Max projects are accurately scaled and ready for collaboration and final output. Remember the reference: accessing Units Setup via the Customized menu is the starting point.
