Autodesk 12812-051462-9011 User Guide 3 - Page 1691

If you later open b.max, create objects, and save it, then open master.max without first opening and saving a.max, you won't see the new objects created in b.max. The scene master.max is simply reading a.max, and since a.max hasn't changed, the new objects aren't present. Automatic Update When on, changes made to externally referenced objects, controllers, materials, and manipulators in the source scene are automatically updated in the master file as soon as the source file is saved. There's no need to click Update. Default=off. NOTE You can change the state of Enabled, Include All, and Automatic Update after a record is created. Merge Transforms When on, combines all objects' externally referenced transform controllers from the source file into the master file. This means that the transform controllers will be loaded in the master file but will then no longer have a live connection with the source file. This is useful if you don't require the live connection, and want to alter the transform controllers in the master scene without losing your edits upon Update. Default=off. To use Merge Transforms, you must turn on this option before you add the XRef record (source) file. Merge Materials When on, combines all externally referenced materials from the source file into the master file. This means that the materials will be loaded in the master file but will then no longer have a live connection with the source file. This is useful if you don't require the live connection, and want to alter the materials in the master scene without losing your edits upon Update. Default=off. To use Merge Materials, you must turn on this option before you add the XRef record (source) file. When Merge Materials is on and there are name conflicts between materials in the target scene and materials in the XRef source scene (or between materials in two XRef records), 3ds Max displays a Duplicate Name dialog on page 5368 so you can resolve the conflicts. Merge Manipulators When on, any manipulator on page 2636 applied to the XRef object in the source file is combined into the scene. Manipulators are applied to the XRef object and can be changed. However, these changes have no effect in the XRef source file. Default=off. To use Merge Manipulators, you must turn on this option before you add the XRef record (source) file. Modifiers Determines how modifiers from the source file will be loaded into your master file. Modifiers are not listed as XRef entities. To see an XRef 6946 | Chapter 23 Managing Scenes and Projects