Connecting Cargo to 3Ds Max
Maxx Burman avatar
Written by Maxx Burman
Updated over a week ago

Initial Setup

To connect Cargo to 3Ds Max, first, follow the Basic Software Setup guide.

After you’ve selected your version of 3Ds Max, Cargo will install all necessary files to your computer and prompt you to activate your plugin.

To find the Cargo Connect Plugin, first, check the file menu within 3Ds Max to locate the Cargo Menu. From here you can select “Cargo Connect” to open the Cargo Plugin.

In order to connect Cargo to 3Ds Max, click “Connect” and ensure the checkbox says “Connected to Cargo”.

3Ds Max Troubleshooting

Before you begin troubleshooting, please make sure you have a supported version of 3Ds Max installed on your computer. Cargo currently supports 3Ds Max 2021, 2022, and 2023.

If you are using a supported version of 3Ds Max, and you do not see Cargo in the 3Ds Max File Menu, check to make sure the plugin is loaded in 3Ds Max by following these steps:

Check to see if Cargo Plugin is installed and enabled

If you do not see a KitBash3D Menu Icon, or the Cargo UI Menu option in 3Ds Max, you’ll first want to check to see if the plugin is installed and enabled.

To do this, first, go to the Customize Menu (on the top file menu in 3Ds Max), and select the Plug-In Manager…

Next search through the plugins to see if the Cargo Plugin is available, and make sure the box next to it is checked.

If you do not see the Cargo plugin available, you will need to redo Basic Software Setup.

Check to see if 3Ds Max is listening to the Cargo Plugin

If the plugin is visible and enabled, but not showing up in your main menu, you’ll want to make sure the plugin is loaded properly. To do this, first go to "Scripting" in the main menu and select "MaxScript Listener" to open the MaxScript Listener window.

In the MaxScript Listener window, type CargoQtDialog.show() and hit enter. This should pop up the Cargo UI.

If the Cargo UI still doesn’t show up you can activate the Cargo connection by typing in the MaxScript Listener window the command KB3D3dsMax.activate().

You should see a message that indicates that Cargo have been activated:

If you’re still not able to connect to Cargo from 3Ds Max, please contact info@kitbash3d.com


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