How to use A23D 3D Models in Maxwell Render

This guide explains how to import A23D 3D models into a Maxwell Render workflow. Maxwell rendering usually happens inside a host application or in Maxwell Studio, so the model is imported into the host scene first; after that, assign Maxwell materials and render with Maxwell.

1. Download and Extract the Model

  1. Sign in to your A23D account.
  2. Browse to the asset you want to use.
  3. In the Software dropdown on the asset page, select Maxwell Render.
  • A23D automatically delivers the model in the format best suited to Maxwell Render (.fbx) - no manual format selection required. Keep the .fbx file and texture files together because the model references its dependent files.
  1. Click Download and save the .zip to a known location on your computer.
  2. Extract (unzip) the archive to access the delivered model package.

2. Import the Model in the Host Application

3ds Max + Maxwell

  1. Use the A23D 3ds Max Asset Importer when available.
  2. If importing manually, go to File > Import > Import.
  3. Set the file type to Autodesk (*.fbx) and select the delivered A23D model file.
  4. In the FBX Import Options dialog, enable normals, smoothing groups, materials, and texture import where available.
  5. Set or confirm units to match your scene. A23D assets are authored at real-world scale.
  6. After import, use Maxwell's integrated material editor to assign or refine Maxwell materials.

Cinema 4D + Maxwell

  1. Use the A23D Cinema 4D Asset Importer when available.
  2. If importing manually, use File > Merge Project... or File > Open.
  3. Select the delivered A23D model file.
  4. Confirm unit scale, axis, and material import options.
  5. After import, use Maxwell's Cinema 4D material tools to assign or refine Maxwell materials.

SketchUp + Maxwell

  1. Use the A23D SketchUp Asset Importer when available. The A23D SketchUp Asset Importer imports assets into SketchUp; it is not a converter.
  2. If you cannot use the A23D importer, bring the asset into SketchUp through a reliable SketchUp-compatible workflow first.
  3. After the model is in SketchUp, assign Maxwell materials through Maxwell for SketchUp.

Rhino + Maxwell

  1. Use File > Import in Rhino.
  2. Select the delivered A23D model file.
  3. Enable material and texture import where Rhino exposes those options.
  4. Assign or refine Maxwell materials through Maxwell for Rhino.

Archicad + Maxwell

  1. Import the delivered model through Archicad's FBX workflow, or use the Archicad-specific A23D package if you are preparing a native Archicad scene first.
  2. Place and classify the object in Archicad.
  3. Render through Maxwell for Archicad and refine materials in the Maxwell material workflow.

Maxwell Studio

  1. Use Maxwell Studio when you want to finish or render a scene outside the host application.
  2. Prefer sending or gathering geometry from a Maxwell-supported host workflow when possible, because that keeps scene scale, object organization, and Maxwell material data more predictable.
  3. If you import geometry directly into Studio, keep the delivered model package together so dependent maps remain available for material assignment.

3. Verify Scale and Orientation

  1. A23D models are authored in real-world scale. Confirm scene units before final placement.
  2. If the model imports too large or too small, correct the scene unit setup or import scale before assigning final materials.
  3. If the model imports rotated, use the host's import orientation options or rotate the model once and apply transforms where appropriate.

4. Assign Maxwell Materials

Imported FBX materials may arrive as host-native materials. For final Maxwell rendering, review the materials in the Maxwell material editor and rebuild as Maxwell materials where needed:

  1. Create or edit a Maxwell material.
  2. Load the A23D PBR maps into the closest Maxwell material channels:
  • Albedo / Base Color -> Reflectance / color
  • Roughness -> Roughness
  • Normal -> Normal / bump-normal channel
  • Height -> Displacement
  • Opacity -> opacity / clip map
  1. For metal surfaces, use a Maxwell metal/conductor material setup. If the asset mixes metal and non-metal regions, use the A23D Metalness map as a mask between a dielectric material and a metal material response.
  2. Render a quick material test before placing the asset into a heavy production scene.

5. Use Host Importers When Available

For the fastest A23D workflow, use the A23D Asset Importer in the host application first, then refine the imported materials for Maxwell rendering.

  • 3ds Max: Use the A23D 3ds Max Asset Importer, then assign Maxwell materials in Maxwell for 3ds Max.
  • Cinema 4D: Use the A23D Cinema 4D Asset Importer, then assign Maxwell materials in Maxwell for Cinema 4D.
  • SketchUp: Use the A23D SketchUp Asset Importer, then assign Maxwell materials in Maxwell for SketchUp.

Additional Resources

Maxwell Render
Maxwell Studio
Maxwell for 3ds Max
Maxwell User Manual

Need some help?

Contact our team at support@a23d.co