How to have different Maxstart files for different versions of 3DS Max?

V-Ray V-Ray for 3ds Max General
1

I flick between different versions of 3DS Max (2022, 23, 24) (oftentimes for the same project OR before I get the chance to set the project path) and I keep the Maxstart files in respective folders on my Libraries Harddisk.

The trouble is, 3DS Max as you know points to the Maxstart file in the Project Folder, and that’s when the trouble starts (when you open 3DS Max 2023 say and the maxstart file previously used for that project was 2024).

Is there any way that someone knows of to eliminate this issue, and respecting which version of maxstart to use for the correct version of 3DS Max?

I’m thinking maybe to have a script, which somehow determines which version of 3DS Max is being opened and setting the appropriate maxstart file path accordingly?

Many thanks.

2

Not sure if it will be helpful, but my way of handling this is setting additional right-click (on file) options through the registry editor for each 3ds Max version.

3

which registry entry are you altering to get that?

4

I’m adding additional keys here:
Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell

Basically like so:
1. Right-click on shell folder
2. Add a new key
3. Name it i.e. “3ds Max 2024”
4. Right-click “3ds Max 2024” and add another key
5. Name it “command”
6. Edit the string in the window on the right (double-click)
7. In the Value Data write:


"C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2024\3dsmax.exe" "%1"

9. Done. Now when you right-click on something, there should be a 3ds Max 2024 option.

5

Which Max version? You can use pipeline integration env var to set the project folder per max version.