# Blender - 3DS Max Bridge<no value>
The **Blender – 3DS Max Bridge** enables seamless data transfer between 3DS Max and Blender in either direction.  This tool was developed to help artists transition from 3DS Max to Blender while preserving their existing workflows.

Its primary goal is to eliminate the need to manually recreate materials, lighting, export settings, and other scene data in Blender. As such, the bridge supports any type of scene, including sceneries and aircraft, for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. You can transfer either part of a scene or an entire scene while preserving MSFS 2024 specific setup.

{{< callout context="note" title="NOTE" icon="outline/bulb" >}}

Data can also be transferred from Blender to 3DS Max, however MSFS 2024-specific settings **are not transferred in this direction**, as this workflow is not the one that has been most requested, and was not the primary goal for the tool.

{{< /callout >}}

For example, the following demonstration transfers the entire DA62 airframe:

{{< video-center src="3_Models_And_Textures\Plugins\MaxBlenderBridge\da62_bridge_demo.mp4" >}}

It is worth noting that bridge can also be used for projects unrelated to MSFS 2024 by using [Generic Preset](#bridge-presets).


### Supported Features

The tables below shows various object and MSFS 2024 features, where:

-   {{< check/good >}} → Fully Supported

-   {{< check/neutral >}} → Partially Supported

-   {{< check/bad >}} → Unsupported

<div style="max-width:70%; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">

{{< table-wrapper "300px" "175px" "175px" >}}

| Generic Feature                        |  3DS Max → Blender  | Blender → 3DS Max |
|----------------------------------------|:--------------------:|:------------------:|
| `UVs`                                  |  {{< check/good >}}  | {{< check/good >}} |
| `Vertex Colors`                         |  {{< check/good >}}  | {{< check/good >}} |
| `Curves`                               |  {{< check/good >}}  | {{< check/good >}} |
| `Object Instances`                     |  {{< check/good >}}  | {{< check/good >}} |
| `Layers / Collections`                 |  {{< check/good >}}{{< callout-tables "note" "layer-note" >}} | {{< check/bad>}}   |
| `Animations`                           |  {{< check/good >}}  | {{< check/good >}} |
| `Rigging / Skinning`                       |  {{< check/good >}}  | {{< check/good >}} |

{{< /table-wrapper >}}

</div>

{{< anchor id="layer-note" />}}
{{< callout context="note" title="NOTE - 3DS Max → Blender Layers / Collections" icon="outline/bulb" >}}

3DS Max layers are imported as Blender collections.

{{< /callout >}}


<div style="max-width:70%; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">

{{< table-wrapper "300px" "175px" "175px" >}}

| MSFS2024 Feature                       |  3DS Max → Blender  | Blender → 3DS Max    |
|----------------------------------------|:--------------------:|:---------------------:|
| `MSFS2024 Materials`                   |  {{< check/good >}}  | {{< check/good >}}    |
| `MSFS2024 Lights`                      |  {{< check/good >}}  | {{< check/good >}}    |
| `MSFS2024 Collision Primitives`        |  {{< check/good >}}  | {{< check/good >}}    |
| `MSFS2024 Export Settings`             |  {{< check/good >}}  | {{< check/bad>}}      |
| `MSFS2024 Animation Groups`            |  {{< check/good >}}{{< callout-tables "note" "animation-note" >}} | {{< check/neutral >}}{{< callout-tables "note" "import-note" >}}|

{{< /table-wrapper >}}

</div>

{{< anchor id="animation-note" />}}
{{< callout context="note" title="NOTE - 3DS Max → Blender Export Settings" icon="outline/bulb" >}}

3DS Max Animation Groups are recreated as Blender NLA Tracks.

{{< /callout >}}

{{< anchor id="import-note" />}}
{{< callout context="note" title="NOTE - Blender → 3DS Max Export Settings" icon="outline/bulb" >}}

Animations are imported into 3DS Max, but MSFS 2024 Animation Groups are not recreated.

{{< /callout >}}


### Supported Software Versions

The Blender – 3DS Max Bridge supports the following software versions:

- **Blender:** 3.6 LTS, 4.2 LTS, and 4.5 LTS.

- **3DS Max:** 3DS Max 2022 through 3DS Max 2026.


### Installation

{{< tabs/container "Blender" "3DS Max" >}}

{{< tabs/content >}}

If you have not already done so, install the SDK add-ons into Blender's scripts directories. This is the same setup required for the **MSFS 2024 glTF Extension** add-on. 
For more information, see the [Blender Plug-in installation guide](../blender-plugin/the-blender-plugins/#installing-the-add-ons).

Enable the **Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: 3DS Max Bridge** add-on in **Edit → Preferences → Add-ons**.

{{< image-center
    src="images/3_Models_And_Textures/Plugins/MaxBlenderBridge/blender_addon_install.png"
    alt="Enabling the Blender – 3DS Max Bridge add-on" >}}

The **MSFS 2024 glTF Extension** add-on is also required when using the [MSFS 2024 Preset](#bridge-presets). 
Make sure it is enabled before transferring MSFS 2024 assets.

{{< /tabs/content >}}

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Install the **3DS Max USD Plugin** corresponding to your version of 3DS Max:

-   [USD Plugin for 3DS Max 2022](https://github.com/Autodesk/3dsmax-usd/releases/download/v0.9.0/USD3dsMax2022-0.9.0-0.9-release_085.msi)

-   [USD Plugin for 3DS Max 2023](https://github.com/Autodesk/3dsmax-usd/releases/download/v0.13.0/USD3dsMax2023-0.13.0-0.13-release_013.msi)

-   [USD Plugin for 3DS Max 2024](https://github.com/Autodesk/3dsmax-usd/releases/download/v0.15.0/USD3dsMax2024-0.15.0-0.15-release_014.msi)

-   [USD Plugin for 3DS Max 2025](https://github.com/Autodesk/3dsmax-usd/releases/download/v0.15.0/USD3dsMax2025-0.15.0-0.15-release_014.msi)

-   [USD Plugin for 3DS Max 2026](https://github.com/Autodesk/3dsmax-usd/releases/download/v0.15.0/USD3dsMax2026-0.15.0-0.15-release_014.msi)

Restart **3DS Max** after installing the plugin.

{{< /tabs/content >}}

{{< /tabs/container >}}


### Using The Bridge

{{< tabs/container "3DS Max → Blender" "Blender → 3DS Max" >}}

{{< tabs/content >}}

-   **Step 1**: In Blender, open the **3DS Max Bridge** panel in the **3D Viewport**. In the **Import** section, press the **Start Bridge** button. Blender is now ready to receive assets from 3DS Max.

    {{< image-center
        src="images/3_Models_And_Textures/Plugins/MaxBlenderBridge/start_bridge_blender.gif"
        alt="Starting the Blender Bridge" >}}

-   **Step 2**: In 3DS Max, go to **MSFS 2024 → Blender Bridge**.

    {{< image-center
        src="images/3_Models_And_Textures/Plugins/MaxBlenderBridge/max_bridge_button.png"
        alt="Blender Bridge menu entry" >}}

-   **Step 3**: Send assets by using one of the following options:

    -   **Send All**: Sends the entire scene to Blender.

    -   **Send Selection**: Sends only the currently selected objects.

    {{< image-center
        src="images/3_Models_And_Textures/Plugins/MaxBlenderBridge/max_send_buttons.png"
        alt="Send asset buttons" >}}

{{< /tabs/content >}}

{{< tabs/content >}}

-   **Step 1**: In 3DS Max, open the **MSFS 2024 → Blender Bridge** panel. In the **Import** section, press the **Start Bridge** button. 3DS Max is now ready to receive assets from Blender.

    {{< image-center
        src="images/3_Models_And_Textures/Plugins/MaxBlenderBridge/start_bridge_max.gif"
        alt="Starting the 3DS Max Bridge" >}}

-   **Step 2**: In Blender, open the **3DS Max Bridge** panel in the **3D Viewport**.

-   **Step 3**: Send assets using one of the following options:

    -   **Send All**: Sends the entire scene to 3DS Max.

    -   **Send Selection**: Sends only the currently selected objects.

    {{< image-center
        src="images/3_Models_And_Textures/Plugins/MaxBlenderBridge/blender_send_buttons.png"
        alt="Send asset buttons" >}}

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### Bridge Presets

The selected **preset** determines how data is exported and imported.

{{< image-center
    src="images/3_Models_And_Textures/Plugins/MaxBlenderBridge/bridge_presets.png"
    alt="Bridge Presets" >}}

You will need to select the same preset in both applications to ensure matching bridge settings. If the presets do not match, the preset used for sending assets will take priority. For example, if assets are sent from 3DS Max using the **MSFS 2024** preset, Blender will import them using the **MSFS 2024** preset settings.


#### 3DS Max / Blender Generic

The base implementation of the bridge. It exports and imports objects using generic settings (**standard materials, lights, no custom properties, etc.**). Use this preset when MSFS 2024-specific properties are not required.


#### 3DS Max / Blender MSFS 2024

Supports MSFS 2024-specific features. This preset creates **MSFS 2024 materials**, **MSFS 2024 lights**, and other MSFS 2024-related data (see [Supported Features](#supported-features)).

When this preset is enabled in Blender, additional import settings are available in the **Import** panel:

{{< image-center
    src="images/3_Models_And_Textures/Plugins/MaxBlenderBridge/blender_import_settings.png"
    alt="Blender MSFS 2024 Import Settings" >}}
    
-   **Reuse Existings Collections** : Reuse existing collections with the same names when recreating 3DS Max layers in Blender.
Consider enabling this option when importing multiple times into the same scene to prevent duplicated collections.

-   **Set Exporter Settings** : Create 3dsMax LOD Groups, Presets and Export Settings in Blender.
Consider disabling this option when importing multiple times into the same scene to prevent duplicate export presets and settings.


### Bridge Start - Additional Notes

-   You only need to start the bridge once per session. The bridge will remain active until you close Blender / 3DS Max or press the **Stop Bridge** button. The bridge remains active even when opening a new scene. You can check whether Blender or 3DS Max is ready to receive assets by looking at the status icon on the **Start / Stop Bridge** button.

    -   **Not Started** → {{< image-icon src="images/3_Models_And_Textures/Plugins/MaxBlenderBridge/not_started_icon.png" alt="Not Started Red Circle" >}}

    -   **Ready** → {{< image-icon src="images/3_Models_And_Textures/Plugins/MaxBlenderBridge/bridge_ready_icon.png" alt="Bridge Ready Icon" >}}


-   The bridge can be started in both Blender and 3DS Max simultaneously, allowing assets to be transferred in both directions. However, only one instance of Blender or 3DS Max can have the bridge enabled at a time. For example, if you want to transfer assets to another Blender instance, you must stop the bridge in the current Blender instance and start it in the desired one. Otherwise, the following error will occur:

{{< image-center
    src="images/3_Models_And_Textures/Plugins/MaxBlenderBridge/bridge_instance_error.png"
    alt="Bridge Instance Error" >}}