50 Basic Shortcuts for 3D Studio Max

Learn a set of basic shortcuts for this animation and modeling program to use for your architectural projects

3D Studio Max (3DS Max) is a popular software among designers who create three-dimensional models and animations. It is used for architecture, videogames, or other visual projects that require high definition and high-precision graphics.

This program, developed by Autodesk, is an ideal companion for visual artists looking for new tools that can help them build worlds and characters in detail, animate objects, and create full scenes. Learn the basic shortcuts of this program—suitable for Mac and Windows—which will optimize your workflow.

Snap Actions

Snap To Edge /Segment Toggle → Alt+F10
Snap To Endpoint Toggle → Alt+F8
Snap To Face Toggle → Alt+F11
Snap To Grid Points Toggle → Alt+F5
Snap To Midpoint Toggle → Alt+F9

Main User Interface

Align → Alt+A
Arc Rotate View Mode → Ctr+R / Cmnd+R
Background Lock Toggle → Alt+Ctrl+B / Alt+Cmnd+B
Clone → Ctrl+V / Cmnd+V
Delete Objects → .
Expert Mode Toggle → Ctrl+X / Cmnd+X
Fetch → Alt+Ctrl+F / Alt+Cmnd+F
Front View → F
Go To End Frame → End
Go To Start Frame → Home
Create Camera → Ctrl+C / Cmnd+C
Hide Camera Toggle → Shift+C
Hide Geometry Toggle → Shift+G
Hide Lights Toggle → Shift+L
Isometric User View → U
New Scene → Ctrl+N / Cmnd+N
Open File → Ctrl+O / Cmnd+O
Pan View → Ctrl+P / Cmnd+P
Perspective User View → P
Play Animation → /
Quick Render → Shift+Q
Restrict to X → F5
Restrict to Y → F6
Restrict to Z → F7
Save File → Ctrl+S / Cmnd+S
Select All → Ctrl+A / Cmnd+A
Select and Move→ W
Select and Rotate → E
Select By Name → H
Select Invert → Ctrl+I / Cmnd+I
Show Main Toolbar Toggle → Alt+6

Track View

Add Keys → A
Apply Ease Curve → Ctrl+E / Cmnd+E
Apply Multiplier Curve → Ctrl+M / Cmnd+M
Filters → Q
Lock Selection → Spacebar
Scroll Down → Ctrl+Down Arrow / Cmnd+Down Arrow
Scroll Up → Ctrl+Up Arrow / Cmnd+Up Arrow

Schematic View

Refresh View → Ctrl+U / Cmnd+U
Rename Object → R
Select All Nodes → Ctrl+A / Cmnd+A
Show / Hide Grid → G

Quad Menu Set

Animation → [Alt+RMB] / [Alt+RMB]
Lighting / Render → [Ctrl+Alt+RMB] / [Cmnd+Alt+RMB]
Modeling → [Ctrl+RMB] / [Cmnd+RMB]

If you want to keep a copy of these 3DS Max at hand, download a free PDF with the 50 hotkeys we have listed above. Click on the below link to download a copy on your device.

Download 50 Basic Shortcuts for 3D Studio Max:

You may also be interested in:

- Representation of Architectural Spaces with 3D Studio Max, a course by Phrame.
- Introduction to Sketchup, a course by Alejandro Soriano.
- Introduction to Architectural Drawing in AutoCAD, a course by Isabel Martínez.