Set Up VS Code with 3ds Max for Scripting (MAXScript & Python)

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When working with MAXScript or Python in 3ds Max, having a solid coding environment can make a huge difference.
A good IDE improves your speed, your debugging ability, and your overall coding experience.

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is one of the most popular IDEs among developers. It’s free, open-source, and backed by a massive community — all supported by Microsoft.

In this guide, I’ll show you step-by-step how to connect 3ds Max to VS Code so you can write and execute MAXScript or Python scripts easily.

Step 1: Install VS Code and MaxScript Language Extension

First, download and install Visual Studio Code if you haven’t already.

Then, install the Language MaxScript extension inside VS Code:

Step 2: Download MXSPyCOM

Next, head over to the MXSPyCOM GitHub project by clicking this link:

On the GitHub page, click the Releases section:

Download the latest available ZIP file:

Step 3: Extract and Install MXSPyCOM

  • Extract the ZIP file you just downloaded.
  • Copy the MXSPyCOM.exe file to the following path:
C:\Program Files\MXSPyCOM\MXSPyCOM.exe
  • Then, copy the initialize_COM_server.ms script into the startup folder of your 3ds Max installation:
C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 20XX\scripts\Startup

Your setup should look something like this:

Step 4: Configure VS Code Tasks

Now, let’s set up VS Code to run your scripts inside 3ds Max.

  • Open Terminal in VS Code.
  • Click Configure Tasks > Create tasks.json from template > Other.

In the newly opened tasks.json file, paste the following code:

{
    "version": "2.0.0",
    "tasks": [
        {
            "label": "Execute Scripts in 3ds Max",
            "type": "shell",
            "command": "C:\\Program Files\\MXSPyCom\\MSXPyCOM.exe",
            "args": [
                "-s",
                "${file}"
            ]
        }
    ]
}

This configuration allows you to send code from VS Code directly into 3ds Max.

Step 5: Add a Shortcut for Quick Execution

Let’s make it even faster by adding a shortcut key.

  • Press Ctrl+Shift+P to open the Command Palette.
  • Search for Preferences: Open Keyboard Shortcuts (JSON) and open it.

Add the following entry to your keybindings.json file:

[
    {
        "key": "ctrl+e",
        "command": "workbench.action.tasks.runTask",
        "args": "Execute Scripts in 3ds Max"
    }
]

Step 6: Run Your Code!

Now you’re ready!
You can run any MAXScript or Python script in 3ds Max directly from VS Code by:

  • Pressing Ctrl+E (your new shortcut), or
  • Going to Terminal > Run Task.

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