# Method 1: Importing or Opening within 3ds Max

To open a .3ds file in 3ds Max, you have two primary methods: importing the file from within the 3ds Max application or opening it directly from your computer's file explorer after configuring Windows.

Method 1: Importing or Opening within 3ds Max

This is the most common and recommended way to bring a .3ds model into your 3ds Max project, especially if you want to merge it into an existing scene.

Steps to Import a .3ds File:

1. Launch 3ds Max.
2. Go to the File menu.
3. Select Import.
4. Choose Import... from the submenu.
5. In the Select File to Import dialog box, navigate to the location of your .3ds file.
6. In the Files of type dropdown menu, select *3ds Legacy (.3DS)**.
7. Select your .3ds file and click Open.
8. An Autodesk 3ds Max Import Options dialog will appear. Here, you can configure various settings like scaling, object naming, and mesh options. Review these settings (often the defaults work, but scaling might need adjustment depending on the source).
9. Click OK to import the file.

• Alternatively, you can use File > Open if you want the .3ds file to open as a brand new scene, replacing your current one. Follow steps 1-7, then click Open. Be aware that File > Open will discard any unsaved changes in your current scene.

Quick Comparison: Open vs. Import

Feature	Open (.3ds)	Import (.3ds)
Current Scene	Replaced by the .3ds file's content	.3ds file content added to current scene
Use Case	Starting a new project from a .3ds	Merging a model into an existing project
Options	Usually fewer options than Import	More detailed import settings available

Method 2: Opening by Double-Clicking the File

You can configure your Windows operating system to open .3ds files automatically in 3ds Max when you double-click them. This requires setting 3ds Max as the default program for the .3ds file type.

While you can often do this by right-clicking the file in File Explorer and choosing "Open with" -> "Choose another app," a more specific method, potentially useful for ensuring a particular version of 3ds Max is used, involves editing the Windows Registry.

Setting the Default 3ds Max Version via Windows Registry:

• Note: Modifying the Windows Registry should be done with caution. It is advisable to back up your registry before making changes.

1. Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Windows Run command window.
2. Type regedit and press Enter or click OK to open the Registry Editor. You may need to grant administrator permissions.
3. In the Registry Editor, navigate through the folders in the left pane to the following path:
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\3dsmax\Shell\Open\Command
   (You can copy and paste this path into the address bar at the top of the Registry Editor window in newer Windows versions).
4. In the right-hand pane, you will see several entries. Double-click on the entry named (Default).
5. An Edit String dialog box will open. The Value data field contains the path to the 3dsmax.exe file that is currently set as the default.
6. Edit the path in the Value data field so that it points to the 3dsmax.exe file of the specific version of 3ds Max you prefer to use as the default when opening .3ds files by double-clicking.
   • Example: If it currently points to an older version, change the path to the location of your desired 3dsmax.exe (e.g., "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2024\3dsmax.exe" "%1"). Ensure the "%1" remains at the end.
7. Click OK to save the change.
8. Close the Registry Editor.

After performing this registry edit, double-clicking a .3ds file in Windows File Explorer should launch the specified version of 3ds Max and attempt to open the file. Keep in mind that opening via double-click usually triggers the "Open" function within 3ds Max, creating a new scene, rather than "Importing" into an existing one.

Choose the method that best suits your workflow, whether it's integrating a model into an ongoing project via import or simply opening a standalone .3ds file.