Why are Models Appearing as Cubes?
When reopening a scene the models can appear as cubes if the game settings do not include paths to the source MDL files.
This document explains why models can appear as cubes instead of props when importing VMF or MDL nodes.
Using Props in Your Scene
Article on re-using existing props in a scene.
Importing Models
Articles and documents related to importing model assets into 3ds Max.
VMF Importer
You can use Wall Worm to import a VMF into 3ds Max. This allows you to bring in your Hammer project into 3ds Max.
MDL File Loader
Geometry Plugin to load Valve's MDL files directly into 3ds Max.
Converting Displacements to Models
Steps on converting a collection of displacements to props.
Some PSDs can crash VTEX
PSD files created with Viewport Canvas must be converted
PSD files created with Viewport Canvas can sometimes crash VTEX.
VMF Exporter
The Wall Worm tools allows you to send your 3ds Max scene to Hammer and Source via a VMF Exporter.
Unknown Bitmap Filetypes Crash VMF Exporter
Do not use bitmap filetypes that Max doesn't know how to read.
Using unknown bitmap types on world geometry and displacements will crash the VMF Exporter. This currently happens if using VTFs in materials in 3ds Max 2013 since there is no VTF plugin yet.
Unexpected Model Orientation in VMF Exporter
Fixed in WWMT 1.772
The orientation of models in the QC Generator has been flipped on the Z-axis and the VMF Exporter is also rotated to accomodate this result. You may need to recompile models compiled before the 1.772 update.