My Materials Editor has vanished.

[Gofthick]

Ok, basically what my problem consists of is this.

I plugged in an additional monitor a few weeks back and ran dual monitors, i switched 3ds max between the monitors as the video tutorial i was using only worked on one monitor.

Now ever since i went back to a single monitor i can't find my materials editor, i hit 'm' or try the icon and i get nothing.

I originally thought that 3ds max might be trying to display the browser on the other monitor, despite it not being there. However after plugging it back in it did not appear there either.

I have tried reinstalling 3ds max 8 and nothing has changed. This wouldn't be such a problem but i need 3DS max 8 for handing in my University coursework, as they do not have 3DS Max 9 running yet i have to use 3DS Max 8.

Any ideas?

[Antievo-3DT]

Quick Reply:

That is a wierd problem. I thought I knew the answer up untill you said you tried re-installing Max.
Have you tried using the File --> Reset option to reset your scene?
You can also try overwriting the maxstart.max file. I don't know what more to say...
I'll ask if anyone in my class have experienced this problem before tomorrow.

Best Wishes,
Antievo.

[Fredddy]

You could try deleting the 3dsmax.ini file(backup it up first of course).
It may be getting left behind when you un-install.
Maybe altering the [MaterialBrowserDialogPosition] entry in the 3dsmax.ini may help also, mine is set to ModalDimension=465 40 332 520

Hope this helps.

[Gofthick]

Thanks so much, i just (backed up and) deleted the 3dsmax.ini file from the directory and booted it up. I'll have to reapply my preferences of course but my material browser has returned.

Thanks so much Fredddy, and Antievo-3DT for the suggestions.

[CarNut]

I know you got this taken care of already, but if it happens again, instead of deleting and backing up files, try clicking on the mat editor icon then while you leave your cursor on it, press the ALT key. A small popup with Restore, Move, etc should show up near the corner of the screen.

Click on move and you should be able to move the material editor back onscreen. It seems to happen with dual monitors if you happen to either add one or change which one is the primary. Had it happen at work a couple of times.

[gio]

hi, I have the same problem but I never tried to connect two monitors , although my mat editor has vanished, I tried to delete 3dsmax.ini file but did not found it, I'll try your advise about ALT key,
hope it will help me
I need it badly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jondicks]

hi - I have just experienced this really annoying problem too, I couldnt find the 3dsmax.ini on my machine (doesnt seem to exist - ver 9) - and so tried the ALT method, I got the menu's up, but as soon as I tried to move the dialog box, the cursor returned to the arrow, rather than actually moving the box, as if I had just click on the desktop somewhere, anyway for any of you who are still experiencing problems - I found another way around it - if you are running dual monitors, just change the primary and secondary monitors around in your display settings, and hey presto - the dialogs appear, I havnt changed my monitors back - but im guessing now you have them you can position themm where you like!!! hope this helps.