Exporting Datasmith Content from 3ds Max | Unreal Engine 4.27 Documentation

Once you've installed the Datasmith Exporter plugin for 3ds Max, you'll have a new .UDATASMITH file type available to you when you export a scene from 3ds Max.

Follow the steps below in 3ds Max to export your scene using this new file type.

From the 3ds Max File menu, or the MAX menu at the far left of the main menu bar, choose Export.
Set the following:
1. Save in: Choose a location for the new Datasmith file.
2. File Name: Give your file a name.
3. Save as type: Select Unreal Datasmith (*.UDATASMITH)
Click Save.
In the Datasmith Export Options window, you can filter the information that you want to be included in your exported file and carried over into the Unreal Engine.

Setting	Description
Include	Determines which objects in the scene are included in the exported file. Visible objects - The exported file will contain all of the objects in your scene that are currently visible in 3ds Max. Selection - The exported file will contain only the visible objects that you currently have selected.
Animated Transforms	Determines how the exporter handles objects with animated 3D transforms. Current Frame Only - The exported file will include only the objects in the scene as they appear in the current frame, without any animation data. Active Time Segment - The exported file will include animation data for any objects whose 3D transforms are animated within the time segment that is currently active in the 3ds Max timeline. The importer converts this animation data into a Level Sequence, which you can use to play back the animations inside the Unreal Engine. Regardless of the value you choose for this setting, the Datasmith exporter always bases its exported data on the state of the scene objects in the current frame in 3ds Max. If you have animated mesh deformations or other sub-object animations, the Assets and Actors you'll see in the Unreal Engine after import will reflect the state of those objects at the frame that you have selected when you export the scene.

Setting

Description

Include

Determines which objects in the scene are included in the exported file.

Visible objects - The exported file will contain all of the objects in your scene that are currently visible in 3ds Max.
Selection - The exported file will contain only the visible objects that you currently have selected.

Animated Transforms

Determines how the exporter handles objects with animated 3D transforms.

Current Frame Only - The exported file will include only the objects in the scene as they appear in the current frame, without any animation data.
Active Time Segment - The exported file will include animation data for any objects whose 3D transforms are animated within the time segment that is currently active in the 3ds Max timeline. The importer converts this animation data into a Level Sequence, which you can use to play back the animations inside the Unreal Engine.

Regardless of the value you choose for this setting, the Datasmith exporter always bases its exported data on the state of the scene objects in the current frame in 3ds Max. If you have animated mesh deformations or other sub-object animations, the Assets and Actors you'll see in the Unreal Engine after import will reflect the state of those objects at the frame that you have selected when you export the scene.

Click OK.

After the export is completed, the exporter shows a report of any issues it found with your content — typically, these are notifications of things that the exporter couldn't translate perfectly, or that may not show up in the Unreal Engine in exactly the way they do in 3ds Max.

End Result

You should now be ready to try importing your new .udatasmith file into the Unreal Editor. See Importing Datasmith Content into Unreal Engine 4.

Along with your new .udatasmith file, you'll see a folder that has the same name but with the suffix _Assets. If you move your .udatasmith file to a new location, make sure that you also move this folder to the same location.