3DS Max 7.0

The 3DS Max from Discreet is designed for professional graphic rendering.

First and foremost, 3DS Max wants one thing: maximum possible computing power. Chipset and storage performance are secondary. 3DS Max is thread-optimized, so that it functions noticeably better on multiprocessor systems, dual-core systems and computers with Hyperthreading processing capabilities.

Installation

While installing 3DS Max, select OpenGL as an image library. The workload files taken from 3D Studio MAX 5 should be copied into the Maps and Scenes folder.

Settings

The OpenGL driver can also selected later under 'Customize » Preferences...» Viewports » Choose Driver... '.

Benchmarking

'File » Open... dragon_character_rig.3dm' loads the project files that we use for the tests. After this, 3DS Max will start grumbling a little, saying a couple of texture files seem to be missing. Now click on 'Browse » Add... (Add Subpaths)' and add the directory 'Maps'; this contains the texture files needed. Now you can start the rendering process with 'Rendering » Render...'. If necessary, you can change a few settings:

In order to check the process duration afterwards, take a look at 'File » Summary Info...'.