# FAQ.2 — 3ds Max connector does not auto-connect

## Overview

The connector files are installed correctly, and we have confirmed that a manual run works.  
However, the connector may not start automatically when 3ds Max launches. Until the fix is ready, please connect with the steps below.

Run this **once each time you start 3ds Max**.

If **OS Tools is missing entirely** from the menu bar, this is not the page. Max may be skipping startup because Windows stamped a System mark on the folder.

https://docs.otakusolutions.com/guide/common/faq-max-os-tools-menu-missing?lang=en

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## When this happens

3ds Max is running, but clicking **[Re]** in SkinLayer Studio does not connect,  
and the UI stays at `DCC Connection Lost` / `(Disconnected)`.

![3ds Max is running but Re does not connect](img_05_connection_lost.png)

### Cause

This is not a bad install. The files are already in place.

If the **Install Connector** window shows `up to date` / `All … are up to date`, the connector is **already installed**. You do not need to install again.

![Install Connector shows up to date](img_07_install_up_to_date.png)

At startup, 3ds Max runs scripts in the `startup` folder from first to last.  
If **an earlier script errors**, the SkinLayer connector later in the list may never run.

So Max can be open while the connector is still off, and **[Re]** has nothing to connect to.

We are fixing this so it starts automatically in all environments.  
Until then, turn the connector on once inside Max with the steps below.

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## 1. Open the script window

Right-click the small input box (mini listener) at the **bottom left** of 3ds Max,  
then choose **Open Editor Window**.

If you only need the listener, choose **Open Listener Window**.

![Right-click the mini listener to open the editor](img_01_listener_open.png)

---

## 2. Paste the command

Paste the following **as a single line** into the editor.

```maxscript
fileIn (pathConfig.appendPath (pathConfig.appendPath (getDir #userScripts) "os_skinLayerStudio_connector") "SLS_Connect.ms"); slsConnect()
```

It should look like one line, as below.  
The file is `scripts\os_skinLayerStudio_connector\SLS_Connect.ms`, not the `scripts\` root.

![Connect command pasted in the editor](img_02_script_editor_pkg.png)

Then press **Ctrl + E** to run it.  
(Or **Tools → Evaluate All** from the menu.)

---

## 3. Confirm it worked

Success looks like this in the listener:

- `connector script : executed`
- `toolbar macro : registered`
- `true` at the end

![Listener success messages](img_03_listener_success.png)

---

## 4. Click [Re] in SkinLayer Studio

After those listener lines appear, go back to SkinLayer Studio and click **[Re]**.

![Re button in SkinLayer Studio](img_04_studio_re_button.png)

When connected, 3ds Max appears in the DCC list with a green indicator.

![Connected to 3ds Max after Re](img_06_connected.png)

---

## If it still does not connect

Please check:

- The command was pasted as **one line** (a line break or missing quote will fail)
- If you see `can't open file ...\scripts\SLS_Connect.ms`, that is the old path. Use the one-liner above (package folder)
- You ran it with **Ctrl + E**
- You ran it **after** 3ds Max was open
- You clicked **[Re]** in SkinLayer Studio

If it still fails, send a screenshot of the listener output and we will check it right away.

---

## Notes

- This is a **connect** step, not an install. It only turns on the connector that is already installed.
- On some 3ds Max versions, the **OS Tools** menu may not appear.  
  We are aligning menu registration across versions.
- After auto-connect is fixed, we will announce it in an update.

Sorry for the extra step.  
We will ship the fix as soon as we can.

Thank you.  
OtakuSolutions