ScriptSpot

Script

SaveToPrevious

By spacefrog · 2012-10-12

Version
V1.10
Version requirement
3ds Max 2011 and up
Date updated
2012-10-13
Votes
7
External download
External download

Tags: max save previous version

Description

SaveVersionHandler V1.10:
Making save to previous max version a bit easier to handle for the users was a thing i had on my mind for some time now. So finally a request by Nicholas Fox motivated me to put something together 😆

See more details below...

DETAILS:
SaveVersionHandler V1.10
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 Global accessable Maxscript struct for easy SaveToPrevious Maxversions handling
 Created:  October  13, 2012
 Modified:  October  12, 2012
 Requirement: Max 2011 and higher
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IMPORTANT: remove any previous copies of this script sitting in your "scripts/startup" folder !!! ( old install location)

HISTORY:

  • Version:  V1.10 - Hotfx Release, DC20121013
    corrected install instructions, script should go to "stdplugs\stdscripts" folder !!!!
    otherwise the created macroscripts would report "undefined", access  via maxscript works though
    saving now prints status info to the listener
    Limited saving to three versions back at maximum ( This only will be relevant for future Max Versions )
  • Version:  V1.00 - Initial Release, DC20121012


INSTALLATION:
Copy this file ( "SF_SaveToPrevious.ms" ) to your "<3dsMaxFolder>\stdplugs\stdscripts" folder
As written above you should find that folder int your 3ds Max root directory
Re(start) 3ds Max, now a global struct called "SaveVersionHandler" is available to maxscript.

To make it available to keyboard/button/menu bindings, perform the following step ONE TIME:
Type SaveVersionHandler.CreateMacroScripts() and hit enter in the listener.
This should return "Ok". If "undefined" is returned , the script was not placed in the correct folder.

Otherwise several "SaveToMax201x" entries in the UI Configuration Dialog have been made available,
The entries appear in the "Spacefrog Tools" category ( called "SaveToMax2010" etc... ).
Use the usual means to map them  to Buttons/Menues or Keyboard Shortcuts

The above steps ensure functionality of the script even with future versions of Max to come...

USAGE:
The struct "SaveVersionHandler" provides a "SaveToVersion" method taking the desired version number as argument
eg. "SaveVersionHandler.SaveToVersion 2010" saves the current scene as Max 2010 file, appending "_M2010" to the filename. If you pass an invalid Max version, a mesagebox will pop up.

Note: the freshly saved legacy scene will NOT become the current scene in the running 3ds Max session
This prevents accidently overwriting legacy scenes and dataloss ( legacy scenes loose support for all newer Max features ). If the legacy scene already exists on that place, a prompt is displayed, allowing to cancel or overwrite
   
A specific filename and path can also be passed via a named arguement: "fileName:<yourfilename>"
Another possible function argument is "quiet:true": if "true" is passed, no prompt is displayed when the targetfile already exists
 
Here's the syntax of SaveVersionhandler's methods:

SaveVersionHandler.SaveToVersion <MaxVersion> [fileName:<targetpath and filename>] [quiet:true|false]

SaveVersionHandler.CreateMacroScripts()
   
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AUTHOR:
    Josef Wienerroither aka "spacefrog"  www.frogsinspace.at
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Comments (18)

HamedAnimo · 2019-11-06

It realy save me on 120 3ds max files. I never can say thanks to you. Otherwise Thank you

Thanks! Works Great!

kmerino · 2018-02-08

I was able to pair your macroscipt syntax with The BRobot_Batcher script to "save as" a whole directory from 2016 back to 2014. Your script did a great job with that!

Much respect!
Kevin

Need help?! The script BRobot_batcher nowhere to be found

nnq2603 · 2018-10-24

BRobot_batcher
I couldn't find out the batcher script above you mentioned in your post. Would you mind uploading it and share download link in 3rd host, 'coz the homepage was down already.

BRobot_batcher

nnq2603 · 2018-11-09

Thanks a lot, Rachka. I couldn't find it.

dmitrybelonosov · 2016-10-23

Thank you! Script is good!

batch function

ltchest · 2016-08-04

what im looking for is batch functionality - so i can auto save a bunch of max scenes all down to earlier version. that would be GREAT :)

What is?

Carol Rein · 2016-06-27

Interesting topic and script.
I know the script only manipulate the builtin functions, ok.
But, I wished to know about saving as previous... is it a simple change in the file's header, or is it a complete recompilation of the file, a whole and intrinsic different file that saved as previous?

thanks

Nafetsu · 2013-05-30

very usefull, thanks Josef !

Not familiar with this kind of installation, but i was able to install it correctly anyway.

asymptote · 2013-04-24

OK, maybe I should have worded it differently, took out the "function" to save as anything older than 3 versions, I had to ask, and you are the legacy saviour :)

Autodesk making things inconvenient for the end user....now there's a surprise ;)

asymptote · 2013-04-23

I suppose this question was inevitable, but now AD have decided to drop "save as" support for anything older than 3 versions, will it be possible to save as 2010 with this script from 2014 ?

thx

Ha ! no - no chance ;-)The

spacefrog · 2013-04-24

Ha ! no - no chance ;-)
The script can't do magic, it' just calls existing functionality
And BTW:
Autodesk did not "drop" saveas support for anything older than 3 versions. It never was there. From a technical standpoint this is understandable, for the user it's inconvenient of course...

spacefrog · 2012-10-18

Thanks fajar for answering the question

@brstarship:
fajar is right. 3ds Max can only save to previous versions since Max 2011, which is able to save to Max 2010. Max 2012 is able to save to 2010,2011, and Max 2013 to save to 2010/2011/2012

This script does not implement a magic function , it just uses new functionality that was introduced in Max 2011. It just makes it more comfortable to use for the users and introduces some safety measures.

As for the recompiles you mentioned:
those recompiles are for specific problems that where introduced in specifc Max versions. eg many did not like the Caddies, which were introduced in Max 2010, so i edited the sourcecode (available in the SDK) and disabled Caddies by default and made this changed plugins available for Max versions that have Caddies in them.
What specific Max 9 problem would you think of ?

Thanks!

brstarship · 2012-10-18

I´m just a hobbyst, so, I´m just trying to improve my knowledge a bit. ;)
Now I understood why "save to previous" is available only to the named versions. About the max 9, I was thinking the re-compilation could also improve the routine of imports (for example) in someway, but I see that it won´t occurs and it isn´t applicable to that specific version of max.
Thank you both for the answers!
Kinddest regards,
Cassio

fajar · 2012-10-18

@brstarship : I think its imposible...since save to previous is only supported till max 2010 or if I remember it correct. I do too using max 9 as main for production, the only way is to save it as fbx v2009 or 2010 which is max 9 (use fbx v2008) latest support, check the include texture n choose v 2009 or 2010 which max 9 fbx import supported.

About the script

brstarship · 2012-10-16

First, let me say thank you. I was looking for something like this since a long time. My max version is a bit outdated so... excuse me if it was already covered at some place, but I can´t find the answers. So, I have a few questions:

There is anyway to make it compatible with 3ds max 9 too?
Higher versions of max, won´t be able to save in max 9 format?

For the later and a bit out of topic, I saw your blog. It´s excellent I must say. To much usefull information. One aditional question: I know the re-compilations listed in your blog are usefull for max versions higher than mine, but I´m just curious... max 9 would needs it too?

Kinddest regards,

Cassio

Update + corrected Install instructions...

spacefrog · 2012-10-13

I just updated the script

Most importantly my initial install-instruction WERE WRONG. The keyboard/buttons/ etc will not work. The correct way to install is: Copy the script to your "\stdplugs\stdscripts\" folder
IMPORTANT:
Remove any copies in your "scripts/startup" folder !
After taht restart Max, your mapped Buttons/shortcuts etc. should work after doing this...

Sorry for the confusion ;-)

Forgot to add download Link...

spacefrog · 2012-10-12

Obviously i forgot to put the DL link into the post, this is fixed now :-)