So, where does fit into this timeline?
Just a heads-up for anyone checking file headers or troubleshooting "Open Failed" errors: 24000 Software Release: 3ds Max 2022
Good news: 3ds Max is backward-compatible only within a limited range. A newer version (e.g., Max 2025, version 26000) can open a version 24000 file without issue. However, the reverse is true. You cannot save a file from Max 2023 down to version 24000 directly unless you use a third-party plugin or an intermediate FBX/OBJ conversion (which will strip modifiers and many native features).
Moreover, the version number influences automation scripts. A pipeline tool that batch processes files must read the version header without opening the entire file. In MaxScript, the getFileVersion function returns precisely this integer. A script might include logic like: