So it's really a pointless waste of everyone's time. Oh, then online help is a way to keep the docs updated, except that they don't *really* get updated. So, online help is a way for Autodesk to save money, except it doesn't *really* save money when the application download packages are so massive. But, I ask, is that ever really done? When do the tech writers (assuming that they exist) do their work? Surely they don't *ever* update existing documentation, they simply wait until the next release cycle. The other argument in favor of online help is that it can be updated. So if the point is to reduce the load on Autodesk's servers, then all packages should be separate. But, in contradiction of that perceived benefit, the 64-bit and 32-bit versions of 3ds Max are included in the same download package, which has now ballooned up to nearly 4GB. Autodesk's download servers aren't hit as hard, because the help docs are not downloaded with the install package. This is a clear example of a policy that benefits the corporation at the expense of its users. Generally, web help is just a terrible idea from the user perspective. Sometimes the help server is overloaded or offline. The server cannot be trusted to provide the needed information in a timely fashion. Help docs on the web are very slow to load. Update: the localised versions of the help are now available (on the same page), these get installed in the following sub folders under 3dsmax2012 in the Help folder, replace the en_us folder with the one for the language you've installed the help for: Language versionįrom the point of view of the user, this is a major step backward. Test that it works, if you selected the wrong path you get the option to revert back to the online version:Īs it says in the online help: If you use the help locally, be sure to check the download page regularly for new versions. button is now active, browse to where the help is installed (don't forget to add the \3dsmax2012\en_us bit!). In 3ds Max change the help location from 'Autodesk Web Site' to 'Local Computer/Network', the Browse.

'C:\Program Files (x86)\Autodesk\Help\' (on a 64bit machine).'C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Help\' (on a 32bit machine).

The download is about 250Mb and takes up about 360Mb on disk once installed.ĭownload and run that file. By default the files get installed in In 3ds Max 2012 go to Customize->Preferences->HelpĪt the bottom of that page it lists the available help files, currently there is only the English version. You'd like to download the 3ds Max 2012 help and configure 3ds Max to use this instead of the help from the Autodesk website.

Index of autodesk 3ds max 2012