Hi everyone.

My first post here is - of course - a problem. I’ve been working on AutoCAD for 14 years by now and have just started to delve into the amazing possibilities of 3ds max (Design 2009 that is) - and have made a hash of it already. Somehow, though I don’t really know how, I ruined my mrArch_DesignTemplates.mat file and now, whenever I try to open one of the Arch & Design templates via the drop-down nothing happens.

Well, my actual question is, is there a way or place to download the mrArch_DesignTemplates.mat file from somewhere as I don’t really want to reinstall the whole program just because of this rather minor problem.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

Cheers
Jack

PS: I know that this exact same problem has been discussed before (http://area.autodesk.com/for...mi-materials-disappeared/) but that was in the 2008 section. My apologies if I should have posted there.

Max Design 2009 SP1 - Vista 32 bit
on an old laptop that’s running on coal and steam.
Sounds crazy, but works - after a while ...

Jack,

I’m having the same annoying problem with the file getting hosed. I think it’s related to loading a custom material library file - i.e., one that I’ve saved manually. In any case, the main “mrArch_DesignTemplates.mat” material library file in C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2009\materiallibraries\ gets corrupted for some reason. I don’t know whether it’s the act of saving a custom material library file or loading it that causes the problem. I haven’t taken the time to test it…

The only workaround that I’ve found is to locate a good copy of the original file and make a copy of it somewhere safe. An unmodified version of the file should be 212 KB in size. Then, whenever the template library gets corrupted (happens to me several times a day, sometimes...), I copy the known good file over the corrupted one.

On my machine, I found a good version of mrArch_DesignTemplates.mat in: C:\Documents and Settings\MY-USER-NAME\My Documents\3dsmax\materiallibraries\.  I made a new folder on my Desktop and put a copy in there for safekeeping.

In the meantime, maybe this has been reported already and a fix is coming...?

Hope this helps,
Rich

Rich Bobo
Senior Visual Effects Designer
Kinetic Post
248.799.0099 http://www.kineticpost.com

Hiya Rich,

thanks very much for your help. I’ll try to find this ‘good’ copy tonight once I’m back in the office. I’ll keep you updated.
But you’re right. Thinking back now, it did happen after I saved a custom mat.
Even though I’m absolutely amazed at what Max can do, the material slot thingy is just appaling. In my humble opinion, there is absolutely no reason to make it this complicated and user-unfriendly. And no, I’m not talking about all the settings and ways to produce a decent material - that’s necessary. But the way it’s presented (why in the name of all that’s holy only 24 mat slots at a time?????) ...
Sorry for whinging. Maybe it’s just my limited knowledge of the program.

Anyway, thanks again.

Cheers
Jack

Max Design 2009 SP1 - Vista 32 bit
on an old laptop that’s running on coal and steam.
Sounds crazy, but works - after a while ...

Just to let anyone know who’s got similar problems: Vista doesn’t have the files in ‘Documents and Settings’ mentioned by Rich. So in the end I just reinstalled everything to start anew. Keeping a copy of this file now. Anyway, thanks for helping Rich.

Max Design 2009 SP1 - Vista 32 bit
on an old laptop that’s running on coal and steam.
Sounds crazy, but works - after a while ...

what happens is when you save a custom material, you kind of overite the arch and design library.  after install you should right click on the good arch and design file and check the read-only box, currently unchecked after initial install.  this way you won’t be able to overrite it and it shouldn’t break

dave.buckley architectural.visualiser

davebuckley.co.uk

blog.davebuckley.co.uk

Thanks guys for the heads up on this. I was reading this thread and checked out mine and it turned out my arch and design tmp file was altered on a save. I followed you directions on getting it back and all is back to normal.

3-Dave 09 February 2009 06:35 AM

what happens is when you save a custom material, you kind of overite the arch and design library.  after install you should right click on the good arch and design file and check the read-only box, currently unchecked after initial install.  this way you won’t be able to overrite it and it shouldn’t break

Thanks 3-Dave. I had the same problem and the read-only workaround works a charm

Workstation - 3DS Max Design 2012 SP1 - Windows 7 Pro 64 bit - Core i7 3.2GHz - GeForce GTX 280 - 6Gb RAM
Rendering - Windows 7 Pro 64 bit - Core i7 980X 3.33GHz - 12Gb RAM

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