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MAX File - What is a .max file and how do I open it?
Learn about .MAX files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is a MAX file? A MAX file is a three-dimensional scene created by Autodesk 3ds Max, a 3D modeling, animation, and rendering application. It contains one or more 3D models, including wireframes, textures, lighting effects, shading, animations, and other 3D design elements.
More Information MAX file open in Autodesk 3ds Max 2022 Graphics professionals in the video game, film, television, and architecture industries use 3ds Max to create 3D models and animations. When you save a project with 3ds Max, the application creates a 3ds Max scene (MAX file) to store the contents. After saving the project, you can close it and re-open it to continue editing it. NOTE: 3ds Max was previously known as 3D Studio MAX, which saved scenes in the MAX and .3DS formats. You can still export scenes as 3DS files with 3ds Max 2022 (and earlier versions).
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DeveloperNuance Communications
Popularity3.1 | 19 Votes
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.MAX File Extension
4 file types use the .max file extension.
3ds Max Scene File
| Developer | Autodesk |
| Popularity |
3.3 | 204 Votes |
What is a MAX file?
A MAX file is a three-dimensional scene created by Autodesk 3ds Max, a 3D modeling, animation, and rendering application. It contains one or more 3D models, including wireframes, textures, lighting effects, shading, animations, and other 3D design elements.
More Information
MAX file open in Autodesk 3ds Max 2022
Graphics professionals in the video game, film, television, and architecture industries use 3ds Max to create 3D models and animations. When you save a project with 3ds Max, the application creates a 3ds Max scene (MAX file) to store the contents. After saving the project, you can close it and re-open it to continue editing it.
NOTE: 3ds Max was previously known as 3D Studio MAX, which saved scenes in the MAX and .3DS formats. You can still export scenes as 3DS files with 3ds Max 2022 (and earlier versions).
How to open a MAX file
You can open a MAX file with Autodesk 3ds Max in Windows. To do so, select File → Open... from the 3ds Max menu bar. Then, navigate to and open your MAX file.
How to convert a MAX file
Autodesk 3ds Max can convert MAX files to various formats, including the following file types:
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Programs that open MAX files
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Autodesk 3ds Max 2023
Free Trial
Category: 3D Image Files
Updated: May 11, 2022
OmniPage Scanned Document
| Developer | Nuance Communications |
| Popularity |
3.5 | 15 Votes |
Scanned image or text document saved by OmniPage scanning software; recognizes characters and words and detects page layout information using OCR software.
More Information
OmniPage was previously developed by ScanSoft, which was acquired by Nuance Communications, Inc.
Programs that open MAX files
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Kofax OmniPage Ultimate
Free Trial
Mac
Nuance OmniPage Pro X
Linux
Maxview
Free
Category: Page Layout Files
Updated: May 15, 2008
Action Replay Max Save File
| Developer | Datel |
| Popularity |
3.1 | 23 Votes |
Saved file created by Datel's Action Replay MAX, a PlayStation 2 (PS2) program used for applying cheats to PS2 games and creating PS2 saves; contains the saved state of a PS2 video game; can be saved to a hard drive or transferred to a PC using a USB flash drive.
More Information
MAX files can be opened directly on the PlayStation 2 using the Memory Manager on the PS2 Action Replay MAX disc.
Programs that open MAX files
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PS2 Save Converter
—
Discontinued
Free
Category: Game Files
Updated: November 14, 2007
PaperPort Scanned Document
| Developer | Nuance Communications |
| Popularity |
3.1 | 19 Votes |
A MAX file may also be a scanned document created by early versions of ScanSoft PaperPort, a document management and scanning application. It contains an image of a document captured with a scanner, such as letters, receipts, or forms, and may include annotations. PaperPort stores scanned pages in MAX files, allowing users to organize, view, and manage them within the program's document workspace.
More Information
MAX files are saved in a proprietary image format used by early versions of PaperPort in the 1990s and 2000s, such as versions 7, 8, and 9. It was commonly used by home users and businesses to organize scanned documents, but the format is now considered legacy, as newer versions of PaperPort typically save documents in the .PDF format.
NOTE: PaperPort was originally developed by Visioneer. The company became ScanSoft in 1999, which later became Nuance Communications, then Kofax, and is now part of Tungsten Automation.
How to open a MAX file
You can open a MAX file with compatible versions of PaperPort, such as 7, 8, and 9. However, these versions are no longer developed.
Programs that open MAX files
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ScanSoft PaperPort
—
Discontinued
Paid
Category: Raster Image Files
Updated: March 6, 2026