If you’re looking to work smarter—not harder—in 3ds Max, this post is for you. Today we’re exploring underrated 3ds Max features that most users either overlook or discover after years of trial and error. Inspired by Vjeko’s RenderRam tutorial, these hidden tools will help you stay organized, work faster, and maybe even recover from a crash or two.
1. Max Hold & Fetch: A Lifesaver for Crash Recovery
One of the most underrated 3ds Max features is Max Hold. Hit Ctrl + H to save a temporary version of your file before doing something risky (like applying TurboSmooth). If Max crashes, use Edit → Fetch to recover your last quick-save.
2. Group Explode: Clean Your Hierarchies Instantly
If your scene is buried in nested groups, use Group → Explode to flatten everything. It’s fast and removes hidden subgroup structures—perfect for preparing files for export or cleanup.
3. Pin Stack: Keep Modifier Settings Visible
Use the Pin Stack icon in the Modifier panel to lock an object’s stack view. You can then select other objects (like a plant or prop) while still adjusting, say, your camera settings—without losing your place.
4. Save Path Shortcut in Render Settings
No need to scroll down the Common tab. Wherever you are in the Render Setup, just click the Save File checkbox and define your output path with the file picker. It’s simple but incredibly useful.
5. Merge Render Elements from Other Scenes
Reusing your custom render element presets? Click Merge in the Render Elements tab, load a past scene, and import your standard setup with a few clicks.
You can always watch more tutorials by Vjeko here!