How to use the A23D Asset Importer Plugin for 3ds Max

The A23D Asset Importer provides you with the ability to download assets directly from the A23D website into your 3ds Max scenes. It adds an A23D Bridge panel to track download and import progress, choose a custom asset folder, or import an A23D asset from disk.

Installing the plugin

1. Visit the 3ds Max integration page.
2. Download the latest version of the plugin compatible with your 3ds Max application.
3. Unzip the downloaded file. The extracted files include the A23DAssetImporter.bundle folder.
4. Close any open 3ds Max instances.
5. Copy the entire A23DAssetImporter.bundle folder into one of these locations:
   • For the current Windows user: %APPDATA%\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\
   • For all Windows users: %PROGRAMDATA%\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\
6. Make sure the final path contains A23DAssetImporter.bundle\PackageContents.xml.
7. Start 3ds Max. The A23D Bridge panel opens automatically, docked to the right side of the interface.

Downloading assets with one-click

1. Open 3ds Max and keep the A23D Bridge panel open.
2. If the panel says Connected, 3ds Max is ready to receive assets.
3. On the A23D website, open the asset you want to import.
4. In the Software dropdown, choose 3ds Max.
5. Choose the resolution you want.
6. Click Send to 3ds Max.
7. Return to 3ds Max. The A23D Bridge panel shows the asset as it downloads, unzips, and imports into the scene.

Browser permission

When you click Send to 3ds Max, your browser may ask to allow access to apps on your device. Click Allow so A23D can connect to the A23D Bridge in 3ds Max. If you skipped it, open site settings for www.a23d.co, allow Apps on device, reload the page, and try again.

You can also manually add https://www.a23d.co:443 to your browser's list of allowed sites to access Apps on device. This setting can be found at:

• Chrome — chrome://settings/content/loopbackNetwork
• Edge — edge://settings/privacy/sitePermissions/allPermissions/loopbackNetwork
• Brave — brave://settings/content/loopbackNetwork
• Firefox — Settings → Privacy & Security → Permissions → Device apps and services

Safari may not always complete one-click sending because of its local app connection behavior. If that happens, use Chrome or Edge, or download the asset and use Import from disk.

Using multiple 3ds Max windows

Only one 3ds Max window receives website imports at a time. If you have more than one 3ds Max window open, click Connect in the A23D Bridge panel of the window you want to import into.

That window becomes the active receiver. Other open 3ds Max windows will show as not connected until you click Connect in them.

Choosing a custom asset folder

In the A23D Bridge panel, use Settings > Asset Folder if you want website downloads saved to a specific location before import.

You can type a folder path or click Browse... and choose a folder. Leave the field empty if you do not need a custom location.

Importing an asset from disk

Use Import from disk when you already have an downloaded A23D asset on your computer.

1. In 3ds Max, open the A23D Bridge panel.
2. Click Import from disk.
3. Select the extracted A23D asset folder.
4. Confirm the selection. The plugin imports the asset into the current scene.

Reopening the A23D Bridge panel

If you close the panel, go to Customize > Customize User Interface, choose the A23D category, and add A23D Panel to a toolbar or menu. Click A23D Panel any time you want to reopen the bridge.

Uninstalling the plugin

Close 3ds Max, delete the A23DAssetImporter.bundle folder from the ApplicationPlugins location where you installed it, and then restart 3ds Max.