3DS Max - deleting objects takes forever

[JuhaHo]

I have had this issue since I started maintaining Max model tree that comes with Cad-models. If I select thousands of objects and try to delete them, it takes sometimes hours sometimes days to get deleted. I'm Using Max 2022.

In my former workflow, I collapsed geometry into few large multi/sub material objects. Max was superfast even with slow workstations. Recently I have saved the model tree and I see this exponential slowdown depending on object amount.

[JuhaHo]

Yesterday afternoon I selected about 11 079 objects and pressed Del button. It's still deleting the objects. I wonder if it's possible to do that in a day or two. I have deadline for the project tomorrow morning.

[fixeighted]

Well you could try other options which would not take anywhere near that amount of time.

You can identify what number of objects it is possible to delete almost immediately, then continue to do that for the remainder.
You could identify which you are deleting and merge into a new file all but those objects, or conversely you could isolate and then resave only those objects you need.

[piotrek.m]

there are scripts that disable undo before delete and its quickfast. look @ scriptspot

[fixeighted]

Ah, that's a good idea

[JuhaHo]

I have to look that script mentioned above.

Tomorrow is the deadline and it's still deleting the objects. Client will not be happy at all with me.

[fixeighted]

Tell the client it's a technical limitation and there's little you can do to force it.

Meanwhile, cancel Max and apply the available solution/s is my advice...the alternative is madness imho

[glorybound]

Can you merge everything you want, leaving what you don't?

[JuhaHo]

I started a new session, selected there the objects needed and saved them into a new scene. Then I started this new scene and continued there.

Having said that. max is still deleting these 11 079 objects and there's thousands more to select and delete. I think Max is somewhat slow, when it comes to deleting unnecessary geometry. I'll let that continue and let You know when deleting is finished.

Edit:
I don't know if I have correct workflow, but I do this way: I have this product model, which has countless possible variation. When I got new objects for one subassembly, I create layer for those. Then I just torn on and off the layers for each variation. Of course every possible thing is instanced. Nevertheless the product model keeps on inflating. Believe or not, but the client reported me, that over the years I have made more than 10 000 individual renderings of the variations of this product. Can it be possible, that I just simply reached the technical limits of 3DS Max?

[JuhaHo]

The deleting these 11 079 objects was finished last night, so it took almost three days to delete some mesh objects in 3DS Max. I think this is a serious efficiency problem.

[fixeighted]

Did you try any of the suggested solutions, or post on the AD forums?

[JuhaHo]

Did you try any of the suggested solutions, or post on the AD forums?

Not yet, because I waited three days to get control back to me on that session. I have few deadlines for this and coming weeks, then I hope I can dig into this.

[fixeighted]

Ah, ok...good luck

[kosso_olli]

Is the schematic view window open when you are deleting that many objects?

[JuhaHo]

Is the schematic view window open when you are deleting that many objects?

I think I have never used the Schematic view, so it wasn't. I used Scene editor to select a layer and pressed Del. Then I waited and waited.