Recent breakthroughs in digital technology have made it possible for people to draft emails instantly, produce visuals in minutes, and collaborate in real time regardless of location. From digital automation to augmented realities, the prospect of using AI-based tools is becoming an attractive proposition to businesses that need creative digital renderings. However, despite how convenient AI tools are, the upstart costs, output precision, and capability to handle revisions make them less favorable compared to traditional programs such as 3dsMax.

Delivering projects reliably with accuracy and precision, 3dsMax remains the industry standard program preferred by game developers, architects, and VFX design professionals. Another advantage of 3d assets built with tools like Autodesk 3dsMax and Maya is that they can be easily shared and revised across multiple programs compared to images made through AI. Although there are times when navigating 3dsMax can be overwhelming and confusing, easy hacks such as keyboard shortcuts can help anyone navigate complex projects with ease and help maximize the program to its full potential:  

#1 Navigation basics

One of the noticeable features that sets 3dsMax apart from other Autodesk products is the flexibility to configure between multiple viewport and layout options. Its quad-view layout allows the designer to edit and view project plans, elevations, and perspectives simultaneously within a single program window.

Viewport Navigation

Pan. Since the model space is akin to an infinite sheet of paper, the Pan Tool (Ctrl + P or Press down on the Middle Mouse Button (MMB) + Drag to any direction) allows the user to glide across and switch to other drawings by dragging the view up, down, sideways and diagonally. Meanwhile, pressing Shift + MMB works practically the same as the Pan Tool only that this variation is more precise as it is constrained towards two directions: horizontal and vertical.

Zoom. Whether looking to detail a blow-up of a tiny crevice or aiming to look at the project from a bird’s eye view, the zoom tool allows the user to magnify the drawings within the program. Using a mouse, press “Z” and scroll the wheel up and down (to zoom forward and back), or use Ctrl + Alt+ MMB + Mouse Drag for a smoother zoom-in and zoom-out workflow. Zoom Extents (Z) gives the user an overview of the whole viewport while Zoom Region (Ctrl + W) brings the selected region into view, both handy shortcuts when looking to edit or focus on specific parts.

Orbit. Allowing the camera to revolve around a model, the Orbit tool (Ctrl + R or Ctrl + Alt + MMB + Mouse Drag) is like a combination of the Pan and Zoom tools, allowing free movement around an object. Meanwhile, Shift + Alt + MMB is an option useful when modeling hollow forms, inspecting shadows, and lighting effects limits orbiting to selected components.

#2 General Workflow Enhancements

Save. With large projects and modeling programs like 3ds Max, every bug splat, blue screen, and other software errors are every designer’s nightmare.  A horror story that every designer can often relate to, pressing Ctrl + S every few minutes ensures that every work is not lost and every minute is worth it. Alternatively, hit the shortcut Alt + Ctrl + S to create a new version of your file every time you hit Ctrl +S.

Undo. Ctrl+Z is a staple command that allows designers to revert easily to the previous version of their model without having to do it again from scratch.  

Toggle Grid & Snap. Whether working with right angles or looking for a reference line to anchor a drawing to, switching the grid on and off by pressing the Grid (G) or Snap (S) setting helps in building accurate orthographic drawings easily and identifying the ground plane in perspective. Shift + Right-Click to access Snap modes such as Menu Vertex, Edge, Pivot, etc.

Toggle Views. Quickly shift between quad view and full-screen views of specific viewports with the Alt + W shortcut. Hitting the same key twice also resets the frozen viewport or press “V” to manually select the viewport display from the Viewport Selection Menu (Press (F) for Front, (T) for Top, and so on.

See the full list of shortcuts and hacks from our downloadable cheat sheet.

#3 Object Modification and modeling

Object Transformation

Move (W). Change the position of an object within the model space by tapping the “W“ (Move) key or make multiple selections by using Shift + W (Move Selection). Alternatively, create duplicates, linked clones, and reference objects by using Ctrl + W (Move and Copy) to prompt a dialog box with specific actions for selection.

Rotate (E). If Orbit allows you to look around the object, the Rotate Tool (E) allows you to manipulate the object’s alignment within the scene. Use the rotation gizmo and orient the object along the desired axes (X, Y, Z). To exit the Gizmo cursor, simply hit the “X” key.

Scale (R). The scaling tool allows designers to resize the polygons and objects relative to proportion and axes directions. Simply Tap the “R” key and hold the center gizmo for uniform scaling and the Alt + Right Mouse Button (Alt+ RMB) for precision. Meanwhile, click on one of the other x,y, or z handles for non-uniform scaling or utilize the squash and stretch features when modeling organic surfaces and objects.

Select (Q). To switch to the Select Tool, press the “Q” button from your keyboard and drag it across the object. Remove an object from the selection using Alt + Click with keyboard and mouse combination. To select everything in the model space, you can use Ctrl + A and hit the “H” button to open the scene dialog box and check the list of all objects. Hit the Space Bar on the keyboard to lock selected objects.

Modeling Shortcuts

Create New Object. Creating a new object in 3ds Max can be achieved by simply tapping on Ctrl + N from the keyboard and placing the object in the space with a mouse cursor.

Convert to Editable Poly. Converting parametric objects in 3ds Max allows a greater range of flexibility when editing vertices, edges, and mesh shapes. Simply put, working with editable poly is preferred by architects and game designers due to the easy and smooth workflow when sculpting models. For example, clicking on the edges to form a polygon surface is smoother and easier to manage compared to the messy triangular facets of Mesh objects. To convert a mesh or any object in 3ds Max, simply hit the Ctrl + Shift + E or customize the shortcut to optimize workflow.

Forming Extrusions. With editable poly, use Shift + Click an edge and Drag it to form a new extrusion quickly. To modify the extrusion, click Ctrl + Backspace to remove an extra edge or a vertex. Click Alt + Q to isolate the selection and Alt + Click to add or remove from the selection.

Edge Loop Selection. Essential for smooth topography and surface transitions, an edge loop connects edges and turns them into a singular instance or object. Select an entire edge loop by double-clicking on it or pressing Alt + Shift + L while in Edge Mode (Press 2).

#3 Material Edits and Scene Rendering

The final step in the visualization process, rendering enables the designer to test and edit their ideas in terms of materials and lighting by producing a realistic image of the model. A processed image of the captured camera scene from the viewport, renderings implement configurations such as lighting and textures through a rendering engine.

Material Editor. Applying the materials and calibrating the texture of an object in 3ds Max is achieved through the help of the Material editor. A comprehensive tool able to create and edit materials, the 3ds Max Material editor can be accessed by pressing “M” from the keyboard. There are also two styles that users can use: a Node-based editor (links) or a classic compact editor (slots).  

Node Based (Slate Material Editor). A node-based material editor is ideal for more complex projects where multiple and specific effects can be added by using a line to do so. Perfect for complex projects, simply pull the line and “link” the specific map to the material you are editing or replace the old material with keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Drag. To remove only a specific map or effect, press “F” to focus on the selected node to edit or pick multiple nodes to delete, press Ctrl, select the Nodes then press, Delete. Press the Space Bar to navigate around other materials without accidentally clicking on other nodes. Lastly, Use the “L” Button to arrange the nodes neatly, or start all over again by pressing Ctrl + N for a total reset.

Compact Material Editor. This works like traditional material editors and is perfect for simple projects that only need typical finishes and textures. Choose from a group of selection and material libraries and easily Drag & Drop to assign a material to a model.

Setting the Scene. The first step in rendering is setting up the view or the camera, use Ctrl + C to create a camera and position it to the desired perspective. To quickly preview a rendered scene, click Ctrl + Shift + Render button or press “H” to view the last rendered image. For small revisions, pressing Alt + Shift + C can help you render only a desired region instead of starting over again by pressing the render button or F9. Adjusting resolution and output sizes as well as the image quality desired can be accessed by pressing F10 on the keyboard.

Rendering the Scene. The last stage in any visualization project, rendering often takes a lot of time to set up and consumes a substantial amount of resources to produce. That is why techniques such as keyboard shortcuts are important workflow hacks that help professionals optimize their time and maximize their resources. Luckily, with services like Vagon, you can easily get the power of multiple computers in one and run your program anywhere or on any device.  

#4 Shortcuts & Customizations

Custom Shortcuts. Customizing shortcuts is another hack that designers can use to make their digital modeling experience smooth and hassle-free. With custom shortcuts in 3ds Max, the users can decide on shortcut keys that make sense for them. Whether it is due to convenience or just out of habit, being able to customize 3ds Max UI is useful in making tasks easier to execute.

To start with customization, find the Customize menu click the dropdown list then select “Customize User Interface”. Next, Open the Keyboard Tab, and select the action or tool you want to customize from the list on the left. Look for the Hotkey field and type in your preferred key or command. Click Assign and then Save to store your custom shortcut.

Advanced Shortcuts. Beyond architecture and product design, 3ds Max is also a useful tool for fields like animation and in creating realistic topographies. With UV Mapping and Unwrap UVW, you can drape or place a material accurately into an object without distortion. The UV editor for Unwrap UVW is prompted by hitting the “U” button with options to specify the desired mapping -from planar, box, cylindrical, etc. Meanwhile, the Shift + T commands quickly align the map and Ctrl + W allows welds between maps to create seamless texture within an object.  

Rigging. For animators, the rigging tool is a basic construct that allows them to shape a character and create movements. Allowing animators to simulate organic creatures and forms, working with a rig means starting from the bone structure up to the final addition of a skin. By working on X-Ray mode (Alt + X), designers can easily navigate and refine the structure and features of the character they are building. A simple hack that animators use is also the Mirror modifier, accessed through the Animation panel or press Alt + Shift + B, to duplicate bones and lessen the time needed to assemble a rig.

Although it may look as innovative and cutting-edge today, automation and workflow hacks were not unheard of in the early days of the visualization and design industries. A great example would be the Ctrl + Alt + Del that people furiously tap on to restart their program when faced with lags and frozen screens. Also, the scripts used in early RPG games and cheat codes ran amuck when games like Ragnarok and World of Warcraft were at the height of popularity. Modern programs would have not existed if it were not for manual commands and codes.

If we observe modern design tools like Lumion and Revit, most of the featured interfaces such as drag & drop, links, and parameter editing are closely similar to 3ds Max. What makes 3ds Max stand out is its consistency throughout the years and its flexibility to allow the user to have a blank canvas. Configuring their dashboard and building up a custom work set that works and being able to share it easily when needed is a quick way to jumpstart productivity. 

#5 Supercharge Your 3ds Max Workflow with Vagon

As robust and reliable as it is, running programs like 3ds Max can be strenuous for a workstation and can make it crash. With Vagon, hardware problems are almost a thing of the past, bringing the power of multiple PCs right to your computer on the cloud. Supercharge your rendering speed, round up your project quickly, and optimize your workflow by pairing up with Vagon today. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. What are the most useful keyboard shortcuts for navigation in 3ds Max?
Some essential navigation shortcuts include Pan (Ctrl + P or MMB + Drag), Zoom (Z + Scroll Wheel), and Orbit (Ctrl + R or Ctrl + Alt + MMB + Drag). These shortcuts help move around the viewport smoothly while modeling.

2. How do I speed up my workflow with selection shortcuts in 3ds Max?
Use Q for the Select tool, Ctrl + A to select everything in the scene, and Alt + Click to remove objects from selection. Additionally, hitting Space Bar locks the current selection to prevent accidental changes.

3. Can I create custom keyboard shortcuts in 3ds Max?
Yes! You can customize shortcuts by navigating to Customize > Customize User Interface > Keyboard Tab, selecting an action, and assigning a preferred key combination.

4. What are the essential object transformation shortcuts?
Use W for Move, E for Rotate, and R for Scale. To make copies or linked clones, press Ctrl + W while moving an object.

5. How can I quickly access the Material Editor in 3ds Max?
Press M to open the Material Editor. You can switch between the Slate Material Editor (node-based workflow) and the Compact Material Editor for simpler projects.

6. What shortcuts can help with rendering in 3ds Max?
For rendering, use Ctrl + C to create a camera, Shift + Q for a quick render preview, and F9 to start a full render. To adjust rendering settings, press F10 for the Render Setup window.