MAXScript Tools and Interaction with 3ds Max > File Access > 3ds Max System Directories >

# 3ds Max System Directories

The following methods allow you to access the 3ds Max system directories:

    GetDir <filetype_name>

Returns as a string the directory specified in the Customize > Configure Paths dialog for the specified file type.

The valid <filetype_name> values are:

Value | Available in 3ds Max Versions | US English Defaults And Notes
--- | --- | ---
#animations | 3ds Max 9 and higher | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\sceneassets\animations"
#archives | 3ds Max 9 and higher | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\archives"
#autoback | All versions | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\autoback"
#autodeskCloud | NEW in 3ds Max 2014 | "C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\Autodesk Sync\Cloud\<LoginName>" Returns empty string "" if the user is not logged in Autodesk 360.
#defaults | All versions | "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max <ReleaseNumber>\en-US\defaults\MAX"
#downloads | 3ds Max 9 and higher | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\downloads"
#drivers | All versions | "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max <ReleaseNumber>\drivers"
#export | All versions | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\export"
#font | All versions | "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max <ReleaseNumber>\fonts"
#help | All versions | "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max <ReleaseNumber>\help"
#image | All versions | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\sceneassets\images"
#import | All versions | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\import"
#matlib | All versions | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\materiallibraries"
#maxData | 3ds Max 9 and higher | "C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\<ReleaseNumber> - 64bit\ENU\"
#maxroot | All versions | "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max <ReleaseNumber>\"
#maxstart | All versions | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\scenes"
#pageFile | 3ds Max 2010 and higher | "C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\<ReleaseNumber> - 64bit\ENU\temp"
#photometric | 3ds Max 9 and higher | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\sceneassets\photometric"
#plugcfg | All versions | "C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\<ReleaseNumber> - 64bit\ENU\en-US\plugcfg"
#preview | All versions | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\previews"
#proxies | 3ds Max 9 and higher | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\proxies"
#renderassets | 3ds Max 9 and higher | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\sceneassets\renderassets"
#renderPresets | 3ds Max 9 and higher | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\renderpresets"
#renderoutput | 3ds Max 9 and higher | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\renderoutput"
#scene | All versions | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\scenes"
#scripts | All versions | "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max <ReleaseNumber>\scripts"
#sound | All versions | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\sceneassets\sounds"
#startupScripts | All versions | "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max <ReleaseNumber>\scripts\startup"
#temp | 3ds Max 9 and higher | "C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\<ReleaseNumber> - 64bit\ENU\temp"
#ui | All versions | "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max <ReleaseNumber>\en-US\UI\"
#userMacros | 3ds Max 9 and higher | "C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\<ReleaseNumber> - 64bit\ENU\usermacros"
#userScripts | 3ds Max 9 and higher | "C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\<ReleaseNumber> - 64bit\ENU\scripts"
#userStartupScripts | 3ds Max 9 and higher | "C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\<ReleaseNumber> - 64bit\ENU\scripts\startup"
#userIcons | 3ds Max 9 and higher | "C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\<ReleaseNumber> - 64bit\ENU\usericons"
#vpost | 3ds Max 9 and higher | "C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\3dsMax\vpost"

    SetDir <filetype_name> <string>

Sets the directory specified in string. Replicated in the Customize > Configure Paths dialog for the specified file type.

The valid <filetype_name> values are the same as for GetDir .

Returns true if successful, false if not. Does not check to see if <string> is a valid path. Any change made through this function is immediately reflected in the 3dsmax.ini file and so is persistent. Use with caution.

    ConvertDirIDToInt <filetype_name>

Returns an Integer corresponding to the given system directory name.

Available in 3ds Max 9 and higher.

Int | Name | Int | Name | Int | Name
0 | #font | 12 | #drivers | 24 | #Photometric
1 | #Scene | 13 | #autoback | 25 | #renderassets
2 | #import | 14 | #matlib | 26 | #userScripts
3 | #export | 15 | #scripts | 27 | #userMacros
4 | #help | 16 | #startupScripts | 28 | #userStartupScripts
5 | #expression | 17 | #defaults | 29 | #temp
6 | #preview | 18 | #renderPresets | 30 | #userIcons
7 | #image | 19 | #ui | 31 | #maxData
8 | #Sound | 20 | #maxroot | 32 |
9 | #plugcfg | 21 | #renderoutput | 33 | #downloads
10 | #maxstart | 22 | #animations | 34 | #proxies
11 | #vpost | 23 | #archives | 36 | #pagefile

The following methods let you get, add or delete Bitmap and XRef paths, corresponding to the Bitmaps and XRefs tabs in the Configure Paths dialog in 3ds Max. Any changes made through these functions are immediately reflected in the 3dsmax.ini file and so are persistent.

### Map Path Methods:

    mapPaths.add <path_string>

Appends the specified path to the list of Bitmap search paths.

    mapPaths.count()

Returns the number of Bitmap search paths defined.

    mapPaths.get <index>

Returns the indexed Bitmap search path as a string. The index is 1-based.

    mapPaths.delete <index>

Deletes the indexed Bitmap search path. The index is 1-based.

    mapPaths.getFullFilePath <filename>

Resolves the filename using map paths, returns fully qualified filename if the file is found. Available in 3ds Max 9 and higher.

FOR EXAMPLE:
mapPaths.getFullFilePath "fir.tga"

### Xref Path Methods:

    xrefPaths.add <path_string>

Appends the specified path to the list of XRef search paths.

    xrefPaths.count()

Returns the number of XRef search paths defined.

    xrefPaths.get <index>

Returns the indexed XRef search path as a string. The index is 1-based.

    xrefPaths.delete <index>

Deletes the indexed XRef search path. The index is 1-based.

    xrefPaths.getFullFilePath <filename>

Resolves the filename using xref paths, returns fully qualified filename if the file is found.

Available in 3ds Max 9 and higher.

FOR EXAMPLE:
xrefPaths.getFullFilePath "delme.max"

#### See Also

- pathConfig Struct

- pluginPaths Struct