Attached Link: http://www.openfx.org

gmax has been out for awhile. The only caution I would give is that it requires you to have a working web cookie before it launches. It is literally spyware... you remove that cookie, and the program will cease to work, requiring you to re-register online to get a new cookie. Another max-like proggie that does save in .3ds format is OpenFX. See link above.