Customize menu > Preferences > Preference Settings dialog > Gamma tab
On the Gamma and LUT panel of the Preference Settings dialog, you set options to adjust the Gamma and lookup-table (LUT) values for input and output images and for the monitor display.
The LUT functionality provides support for the same-named feature in other Autodesk Media and Entertainment software such as Combustion and the systems suite: Inferno, Flint, Smoke, etc. This feature allows studios to implement a consistent way of displaying colors, assuming that their monitors are calibrated to the same reference. Thus 3D artists can produce results that are closer to what the compositor expects by eliminating a variable in the equation: the way colors are displayed on screen.
Note: The lookup table controls available here do not affect exposure control or lighting of the scene. While they do affect the colors of the final image, this is with regard to the display only. By having a reference across a studio (with calibrated monitors), using standardized lookup tables minimizes variability in rendered output.
Also, please note that the LUT system of the systems suite is complex and offers a variety of controls and flavors of lookup tables. This feature integrates the View LUTs only, such as that found in Combustion, where only the displayed images are modified.
Enable Gamma/LUT Correction—Makes available the controls for adjusting gamma and LUT adjustments you make and applies the adjustments. Turn off to disable gamma/LUT correction.
Load Enable State with MAX Files—Loads the state of Enable Gamma/LUT Correction with each 3ds Max file.
When you choose Load Enable State, and load a scene file whose Enable Gamma/LUT Correction state differs from the current state, you can make the correction correspond with the setting in the current file or leave the setting as is.
If you have a maxstart.max file and you choose this option, new sessions of 3ds Max use the Enable Gamma/LUT Correction state in the file. If you turn this option, off, the file doesn't affect the state of Enable Gamma/LUT Correction.
You use display gamma or lookup tables for the Material Editor spheres, the color selector, color swatches, and the rendered frame window (Scanline Renderer). Take note of the default value before you start making adjustments in case you need to restore it.
You can use these controls to load an Autodesk View LUT or adjust gamma numerically; choose either option.
Autodesk View LUT—Click the Browse button and then use the Load LUT File dialog to find and open a LUT file. Thereafter the LUT file name appears
in the text field to the right of the button.
Note: 3ds Max does not support generation of LUT files at this time, and no LUT files are included with the software. To create a LUT file, use a program such as Combustion.
Gamma—Adjusts the gamma display for 3ds Max. The field increases or decreases the value (lightness or darkness) of the solid gray center square. Adjust the value until the center square is as close as possible in value to the surrounding checkered square.
If you're creating imagery that will be sent to someone, turn on the Gamma options to assure yourself that the image will look correct at the destination site.
You can also display these gamma settings from the Gamma button in the File Browser dialog, for example, when you are rendering a scene to an image file.
By default, the Gamma setting affects the viewport display, but not the color selectors or the Material Editor. Use these switches to enable gamma control of either or both of these.
Affect Color Selectors—When on, the Gamma setting affects the display of colors on the standard 3ds Max Color Selector dialog. This has no impact on the Object Color dialog, however.
Affect Material Editor—When on, the Gamma setting affects the display of colors on the Material Editor dialog.
Input Gamma—The system input gamma that the software uses to process bitmaps if that bitmap type doesn't override the gamma with its own gamma value. In the case of Targa files, the file's inherent gamma will override the system input gamma. You use the Input Gamma to invert the gamma of bitmaps coming into 3ds Max (for example, texture maps) so that when they are processed by the renderer and re-output, the bitmaps aren't gamma corrected twice.
Tip: If you have gamma enabled when loading texture maps, set your input gamma to the same value as your display gamma, or your maps will be too bright.
Output Gamma—The system output gamma that the software uses to process bitmaps if that bitmap type doesn't override the gamma with its own gamma value.