Plug-in Assembly Load Error - 3ds Max 2016 + Phoenix FD 4 onwards

[rjohnson33]

Hi,

I'm getting a 'Plug-in Assembly Load Error' when starting up 3ds Max 2016 once Phoenix FD is installed. I've attached a screenshot of the error message.
A further 'Missing DLLs' message appears upon trying to open any files once 3ds Max has started (screenshot also attached)

It's definitely related to Phoenix FD - I can uninstall and the error goes away. Reinstall and it's back. I've tried the following combinations:

3ds Max 2016 SP5 - Phoenix FD 4.10.02 - Error
3ds Max 2016 SP5 - Phoenix FD 4.10.00 - Error
3ds Max 2016 SP5 - Phoenix FD 3.14.01 - OK
3ds Max 2020 - Phoenix FD 4.10.02 - OK
(I'm using Windows 10)

I did try an update to 2016 SP5 earlier and thought it had solved the problem - it loaded up okay first time after the install but then the error message returned on subsequent start ups.
I've also tried a few of the suggestions on the Autodesk help page relating to that error message but nothing has helped so far - https://knowledge.autodesk.com/suppo...g-3ds-Max.html - It does seem that it's specifically related to the Phoenix FD install rather than any of these issues anyway.

Is there any way I could resolve this on 2016 using the latest versions of Phoenix?

Thanks for any help

[Svetlin.Nikolov]

Huh, strange, can you check the en-US directory of your 3ds Max install - usually in C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2016 - and paste here what is in the plugin.ini file?

[rjohnson33]

Yep, here it is (this is with 4.10.02 installed):

[Help]
mental ray Help=http://www.autodesk.com/mentalray-help-2016-enu
[Directories]
Civil View Plugins=C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2016\stdplugs\(CivilViewIO)
;=;
Exlevel plug-ins=C:\Program Files\Exlevel\GrowFX_3dsMax_2016
V-Ray main plug-ins=C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2016\plugins
V-Ray additional plug-ins=C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2016\plugins\vrayplugins
;=;
Phoenix FD main plug-ins=C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2016\plugins\phoenixfd

[Svetlin.Nikolov]

The file looks okay and intact. Can I also ask if you are using the Phoenix installation for V-Ray 3 or for V-Ray 4? And also, which exact V-Ray version you have installed, if any?

[rjohnson33]

I've been using the Phoenix installation for V-Ray 3. I just did a quick test installation with the latest nightly build for V-Ray 4 and the same error message appeared.

I've not used V-Ray in a few years but the version I have installed on Max 2016 is V-Ray Adv 3.30.03 apparently. I don't currently have the license dongle plugged in for my V-Ray license. I'm not sure if that would have an effect on anything.

[slavina.nikolova]

Hey,

The problem seems to happen when the installations of V-Ray and Phoenix FD are not made in the proper order.

Could you try uninstalling V-Ray and Phoenix FD. Then install first the latest V-Ray 3 Stable - https://nightlies.chaosgroup.com/mai...e_3.7/20191004 and then today's Phoenix FD 4 Nightly - https://nightlies.chaosgroup.com/mai...ghtly/20200513.

Thank You!

[rjohnson33]

Hi,

That's great - it seems to have fixed it. Thank you!