So I set 3Ds Max units to cm and create a cube 180cm in height. Then I export it as FBX. Import to Unreal. Place the mannequin next to it and the cube is about half the size of the mannequin. Why? Is the mannequin scale wrong or should I also fiddle around with units and scale of the model on export from Max?
using UE 4.20.4
Check your export and import settings for any scaling.
Humm well 3ds Max has two forms of unit measurement. There is the conversion measurement which converts the world scale. If the world scale is set to 1 unit = 1 inch and the visual measurement is set to cm then the relative scaling is based on 1 unit = 1 inch.
To set your world scale in 3ds max so that it matches UE4.
Customize>Unit Setup>System Unit Setup. and set the System Unit Setup to 1 unit = 1.0 Centimetres. 3ds Max now matches the same unit and world scale of UE4