One of the best features of the 3d Studio has always been the ability to add on or "plug in" even more. Back in the day when you were creating something that had never been done before (like we all do everyday) you had to write your own program to do it. A lot of high end shops still do this in one form or another. Changing code, creating new scripts, shaders or materials, etc. for their favorite software package is not unheard of. Thanks to the new and improved CG industry (and all the programmers), this procedure is no longer limited to the super graphic shops. Fortunately, 3d Studio was created in such a way that it is easy to incorporate these add on codes and scripts as "Plugins". You need not spend a lot of money on plugins to increase the power of your 3ds program. Thanks to our friend, the internet- there are lots of plugins freely distributed every day. You can even find a few here at cadmonkey.com's plugin page
When 3DS installs, it automatically creates a two directories for plugins- one called 'plugins' and one called 'stdplugs'. In these directories you will find all the plugin files (.dlo, .dle, .dlc, .dlm, .dlu, etc.). The stdplugs dir also contains all of the videopost filter files (.flt). When you download a plugin file usually in zip format, the .dl* file usually goes in the plugins dir. The next time you start 3DS - the new plugin should be installed. If you get a duplicate plugin warning, the next time you start Max, chances are you have the same file in the stdplugs dir.
For commerically produced plugins check out these sites:
www.digimation.com
www.discreet.com
www.ktx.com
www.maxplugins.com
To even further expand the program, the good people at the then Kinetix included a programmable script language for all of us wannabe programmers out there. This easy to use "scripting" language can automate almost anything in 3d Studio. And that my friends, is for another day.
Plug away.
