Are bitmaps pointing to same file instantiated??

[RSF]

Hello.
I can't find information about this issue...
Are they instantiated or copied?? I really wish they are instantiated!
I'm referring to the bitmap file itself, not the bitmap material plugin of course.
For example...having two bitmap components rotated and scaled differently but pointing to the same file.
Anyone knows about this?
Thanks

[vlado]

3ds Max always keeps one copy of the bitmap data, no matter how many Bitmap textures are using it.

Best regards,
Vlado

[RSF]

Thanks! Nice to be sure of that