3ds MAX Design 2010

Holy Osnap! This next release of 3ds MAX Design could be a huge leap if this stuff comes to fruition!
Area Blog Post

3ds Max Lighting Analysis called 'Gold Standard'

Well, many people I've talked to over the past year have asked just how accurate the lighting system in 3ds MAX Design. I haven't been able to give a great answer to that question until now. As reported on by Ten Links, a joint venture between the National Research Council Canada (NRC), Harvard University and Autodesk. Their test results and published white paper can be found here: 3ds Max Design Exposure feature is as good as gold
Needless to say, Autodesk got it right for once!

Full speed ahead

Well, If you've been wondering about my lack of posts lately, I've been busy in other avenues of life. I married a very special woman on Jan 23, 2009. Leslie has brought me great joy, passion & hope. On another front, I've recently been promoted to the position of Technical Manager for our Building Solutions Division at U.S. CAD. The future is bright indeed! I'm looking forward to continuing to blog on our industry as things progress rapidly in 2009.

Link an FBX file like a DWG file in 3ds MAX Design 2009

Like most of the stuff Autodesk takes a first stab at, there is usually more to be desired. The best I can offer for a temporary workaround is the following:

1. Export from revit to fbx.
2. Import fbx into max scene A and save
3. Create a second file in 3ds max - we can call it scene B
4. Use the option File-> Xref Objects to bring the 3ds max file scene A into scene b. Bring all objects in - filter out unneeded ones
5. While they are selected create either a group or selection set for control later on
6. Add all entourage to scene B, change colors or materials as well if needed in MAX.
7. If the design of the building changes in revit, follow steps 1 & 2 again only erase the existing geometry before re-importing the model.

I know its not ideal, but better than nothing and sets it up like a linked autocad file. If you are looking for changes made in max to go back to revit you will have to wait. If you recall, this was not possible with autocad files that were linked either.