Autodesk 12812-051462-9011 User Guide 3 - Page 1751

NOTE Multiple material support for ACIS solids applies to DWG files imported or file linked from Revit Architecture 2008 or AutoCAD Architecture (formerly Architectural Desktop or ADT) 2008 and later. NOTE This derivation method is intended for use with AutoCAD 2007 (and later) format files. Using this method with DWG files created with previous versions of AutoCAD could result in data loss. ■ Entity, Blocks as Node Hierarchy Every linked object not in a block is represented as a separate object in the 3ds Max scene, without regard to layers. The nodes are then placed on scene layers that correspond to the drawing layers. Each block is imported separately as a hierarchy, with the block itself as the parent object and its constituent parts as child objects. The child objects of the block are combined by layer. One benefit of this option is that you can apply instanced animation controllers on page 3109 to block subcomponents and thus, by transforming a single member, transform all members at once. For example, in a scene containing a conference table with six chairs around it, you could move all of the chairs simultaneously by moving a single chair. Another advantage is that all geometry is instanced, so edited UVs and normals and other modifications need be done only once. NOTE This derivation method might cause unreliable material propagation when importing drawings containing dynamic blocks. Materials might propagate to some block instances and not to others. WARNING This option has the potential to create an enormous number of objects in your scene. Multiple materials per object are supported with this option, if needed. If the object is an ACIS solid, and has more than one material associated with it, a multi/sub object material is created containing the materials that can be edited in the Materials Editor. If the solid has only one material associated with it, a standard/architectural material is assigned instead. If the object is polymesh geometry, one material per face is supported. NOTE Multiple material support for ACIS solids applies on the DWG files imported or file linked from Revit Architecture 2008 or AutoCAD Architecture (formerly Architectural Desktop or ADT) 2007 and later. ■ Layer Linked objects are combined in 3ds Max according to their layer. Objects in each of the associated application's layers are combined into 7006 | Chapter 23 Managing Scenes and Projects