SaveToPrevious

7 votes
Version: 
V1.10
Date Updated: 
10/13/2012

SaveVersionHandler V1.10:
Making save to previous max version a bit easier to handle for the users was a thing i had on my mind for some time now. So finally a request by Nicholas Fox motivated me to put something together Laughing

See more details below...

DETAILS:
SaveVersionHandler V1.10
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 Global accessable Maxscript struct for easy SaveToPrevious Maxversions handling
 Created:  October  13, 2012
 Modified:  October  12, 2012
 Requirement: Max 2011 and higher
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IMPORTANT: remove any previous copies of this script sitting in your "scripts/startup" folder !!! ( old install location)

HISTORY:

  • Version:  V1.10 - Hotfx Release, DC20121013
    corrected install instructions, script should go to "stdplugs\stdscripts" folder !!!!
    otherwise the created macroscripts would report "undefined", access  via maxscript works though
    saving now prints status info to the listener
    Limited saving to three versions back at maximum ( This only will be relevant for future Max Versions )
  • Version:  V1.00 - Initial Release, DC20121012

INSTALLATION:
Copy this file ( "SF_SaveToPrevious.ms" ) to your "<3dsMaxFolder>\stdplugs\stdscripts" folder
As written above you should find that folder int your 3ds Max root directory
Re(start) 3ds Max, now a global struct called "SaveVersionHandler" is available to maxscript.

To make it available to keyboard/button/menu bindings, perform the following step ONE TIME:
Type SaveVersionHandler.CreateMacroScripts() and hit enter in the listener.
This should return "Ok". If "undefined" is returned , the script was not placed in the correct folder.

Otherwise several "SaveToMax201x" entries in the UI Configuration Dialog have been made available,
The entries appear in the "Spacefrog Tools" category ( called "SaveToMax2010" etc... ).
Use the usual means to map them  to Buttons/Menues or Keyboard Shortcuts

The above steps ensure functionality of the script even with future versions of Max to come...

USAGE:
The struct "SaveVersionHandler" provides a "SaveToVersion" method taking the desired version number as argument
eg. "SaveVersionHandler.SaveToVersion 2010" saves the current scene as Max 2010 file, appending "_M2010" to the filename. If you pass an invalid Max version, a mesagebox will pop up.

Note: the freshly saved legacy scene will NOT become the current scene in the running 3ds Max session
This prevents accidently overwriting legacy scenes and dataloss ( legacy scenes loose support for all newer Max features ). If the legacy scene already exists on that place, a prompt is displayed, allowing to cancel or overwrite
   
A specific filename and path can also be passed via a named arguement: "fileName:<yourfilename>"
Another possible function argument is "quiet:true": if "true" is passed, no prompt is displayed when the targetfile already exists
 
Here's the syntax of SaveVersionhandler's methods:

SaveVersionHandler.SaveToVersion <MaxVersion> [fileName:<targetpath and filename>] [quiet:true|false]

SaveVersionHandler.CreateMacroScripts()
   
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AUTHOR:
    Josef Wienerroither aka "spacefrog"  www.frogsinspace.at
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Version Requirement: 
3ds Max 2011 and up

Comments

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HamedAnimo's picture

It realy save me on 120 3ds

It realy save me on 120 3ds max files. I never can say thanks to you. Otherwise Thank you

nnq2603's picture

BRobot_batcher

Thanks a lot, Rachka. I couldn't find it.

rachka's picture

BRobot_batcher

Turned out I had the script. You can download it here. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SCWbz9MZZ7fIBZ0cibjuEtlFo4iWgfmg/view?u...

nnq2603's picture

Need help?! The script BRobot_batcher nowhere to be found

BRobot_batcher
I couldn't find out the batcher script above you mentioned in your post. Would you mind uploading it and share download link in 3rd host, 'coz the homepage was down already.

kmerino's picture

Thanks! Works Great!

I was able to pair your macroscipt syntax with The BRobot_Batcher script to "save as" a whole directory from 2016 back to 2014. Your script did a great job with that!

Much respect!
Kevin

dmitrybelonosov's picture

Thank you! Script is good!

Thank you! Script is good!

ltchest's picture

batch function

what im looking for is batch functionality - so i can auto save a bunch of max scenes all down to earlier version. that would be GREAT :)

Carol Rein's picture

What is?

Interesting topic and script.
I know the script only manipulate the builtin functions, ok.
But, I wished to know about saving as previous... is it a simple change in the file's header, or is it a complete recompilation of the file, a whole and intrinsic different file that saved as previous?

Nafetsu's picture

thanks

very usefull, thanks Josef !

Not familiar with this kind of installation, but i was able to install it correctly anyway.

--
CG Generalist

asymptote's picture

OK, maybe I should have

OK, maybe I should have worded it differently, took out the "function" to save as anything older than 3 versions, I had to ask, and you are the legacy saviour :)

Autodesk making things inconvenient for the end user....now there's a surprise ;)

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