Archviz Layer Builder

Archviz Layer Builder helps 3ds Max artists start and maintain architectural visualization scenes with a consistent layer structure. Instead of recreating the same layer names and nesting by hand, you can keep a reusable template and create the complete hierarchy in the current scene in one step.

The included default template covers common archviz groups such as architecture, furniture, decor, lights, cameras, helpers, vegetation, context, and reference content. You can add your own root layers and sublayers, remove an entire branch from the template, and keep the structure that matches your studio or personal workflow.

When you click Create Layers, the tool creates only the layers that are missing and reuses matching layers that already exist. Existing scene objects are not moved or deleted. The status line reports how many layers were created and how many were already present.

Templates are saved in the current 3ds Max user profile and remain available between sessions. You can also export a hierarchy to an INI file for backup or sharing, then import it on another workstation or into another user profile.

Archviz Layer Builder is intended for artists, visualizers, and small teams that want predictable scene organization without maintaining a larger pipeline system.

Important limitations

• The tool creates and nests 3ds Max layers; it does not assign existing scene objects to those layers.
• Removing an item from the template does not delete the corresponding layer or objects from the current scene.
• Imported hierarchies must contain unique layer names and a valid parent-before-child structure.
• Layer names cannot contain the | character.

Features

• Reusable nested layer templates for architectural visualization scenes.
• Practical default hierarchy for architecture, furniture, decor, lights, cameras, helpers, vegetation, context, and reference content.
• Add custom root layers or sublayers.
• Remove a template branch together with its template sublayers.
• Create missing scene layers while preserving matching existing layers.
• Import and export layer hierarchies as INI files.
• Persistent template, selection, and window position in the current 3ds Max user profile.
• Standard MaxPkg toolbar button and square SVG icon.
• Standard MaxPkg install, update, and uninstall lifecycle.

Requirements and compatibility

• Autodesk 3ds Max 2015 or newer.
• Windows version supported by the installed 3ds Max release.
• No external plug-ins, Python packages, or network connection are required by the tool itself.