3DS-UE5 Asset Integration Tool

A Python script designed for Autodesk 3ds Max to streamline the workflow of exporting 3D assets directly into an Unreal Engine 5 project.

Features

• Batch Export: Processes multiple selected objects simultaneously.
• Automated Organization: Creates a dedicated subfolder for each exported model within the target directory.
• Texture Handling: Automatically detects and copies all associated bitmaps (textures) to the model's folder.
• Unreal-Ready FBX: Configures FBX export settings (Z-up, centimeters, smoothing groups, tangents/binormals) specifically for Unreal Engine.
• Workflow Memory: Remembers the last used export path for faster iteration.

Prerequisites

• Autodesk 3ds Max (tested on recent versions supporting pymxs).
• Unreal Engine 5 project (or any target directory structure).

Installation

1. Clone this repository or download the Scripts/MaxExporter.py file.
2. Place the script in a known location on your machine.
3. Open 3ds Max.
4. Go to Scripting > Run Script... and select MaxExporter.py.
   • Optional: You can drag and drop the script into the viewport or create a macro button for quick access.

Usage

1. Open your scene in 3ds Max.
2. Select the objects you wish to export.
3. Run the script.
4. A dialog will prompt you to select your Unreal Project's Content folder (or a specific subfolder within it).
5. The script will:
   • Create a folder for each object (e.g., Content/MyChair/).
   • Export MyChair.fbx into that folder.
   • Copy any textures used by MyChair into the same folder.

Script Reference

Scripts/MaxExporter.py

The core script for the tool.

• get_last_path() / save_last_path(): Manages the persistence of the export directory using an .ini file.
• get_all_textures(material): Recursively traverses 3ds Max material trees (Standard, Multi/Sub-Object, etc.) to find all linked BitmapTexture files.
• export_to_unreal(): The main function that orchestrates the user input, folder creation, file copying, and FBX export calls.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details. Copyright (c) 2026 ARGUS