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3ds Max 9 Portable May 2026

The 3ds Max 9 Portable story revolves around the struggles of a young architect named Alex. Alex had just landed a prestigious internship at a renowned architecture firm, but there was a catch - the company was working on a tight deadline to finish a high-profile project, and they needed someone with expertise in 3D modeling and animation.

The problem was that Alex's laptop was outdated, and the company didn't provide the necessary software for interns to work on their personal computers. That's when Alex stumbled upon a portable version of 3ds Max 9, a powerful 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software.

With the 3ds Max 9 Portable version, Alex could work on the project from anywhere, at any time, without being tied down to a specific computer or workstation. The portable software allowed Alex to create complex 3D models, simulate animations, and even collaborate with colleagues remotely.

As the deadline loomed closer, Alex's skills with 3ds Max 9 Portable became invaluable to the team. With the software's robust features and Alex's creativity, they were able to deliver stunning visualizations and animations that impressed the clients and helped secure the project.

The experience not only helped Alex grow professionally but also demonstrated the power of portable software in enabling flexible and efficient workflows. From then on, Alex became a proponent of using portable software, including 3ds Max 9 Portable, to stay productive and achieve goals in the fast-paced world of architecture and design.

Searching for a "portable" version of 3ds Max 9 usually leads to unofficial, third-party modified software, as does not offer an official portable version of its 3ds Max software . 3ds Max 9 is a legacy version released in October 2006. Key Risks of "Portable" 3ds Max

While the idea of running a high-end 3D suite from a USB drive is appealing, using unofficial "portable" versions carries significant risks: Security Hazards

: Unofficial versions are often bundled with malware, trojans, or spyware. Recent security advisories highlight that even official newer versions require active security tools to block malicious scripts. Missing Features

: Portable versions are often "stripped" to reduce file size, which can lead to missing plugins, help files, or broken rendering engines. Licensing Issues

: These versions are typically unauthorized and illegal to distribute or sell. 3ds Max is currently a subscription-based product. Autodesk Community, Autodesk Forums, Autodesk Forum Technical Context for 3ds Max 9

If you are looking for this specific version for legitimate legacy project work, here are its original specifications: Buy 3ds Max 2026 | 3D Modelling Software - Autodesk

Searching for "3ds Max 9 Portable" often leads to unofficial versions of the software released in 2006. While it was a landmark release for Autodesk, modern users should be aware of several critical security and stability factors. Why 3ds Max 9 Was Important

Released in October 2006, 3ds Max 9 was the first version to offer native 64-bit support, which allowed artists to handle much larger and more complex scenes by accessing more system memory. Key features included:

Mental Ray 3.5 Integration: Simplified the creation of photorealistic skies and physical materials like frosted glass.

ProBooleans and ProOptimizer: Tools that significantly improved geometry manipulation and scene efficiency.

Cloth Improvements: New "cinch waistlines" and "tailored clothing" features made digital garments easier to fit. Risks of "Portable" Versions

Most "portable" versions found online are not official products and carry significant risks:

What is 3ds Max 9 Portable?

3ds Max 9 Portable is a portable version of the popular 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and visualization software, 3ds Max, developed by Autodesk. The portable version allows users to carry the software on a USB drive or other portable storage device, making it easy to work on different computers without the need for installation.

Key Features:

System Requirements:

Portable Version Benefits:

Common Uses:

Challenges and Limitations:

Keep in mind that the portable version might have some limitations compared to the full version of 3ds Max 9. If you're interested in using 3ds Max 9 Portable, ensure you have a compatible system and sufficient resources to run the software smoothly.

This blog post explores the concept of using a "portable" version of the legacy 3ds Max 9 software, focusing on why users still seek it and the practical considerations involved. 3ds Max 9 Portable: Nostalgia Meets Modern Workflow?

In the world of 3D modeling, newer isn’t always "better" for every specific task. While Autodesk 3ds Max 2026

offers cutting-edge features like OSL maps and enhanced viewport performance, there is a persistent community of enthusiasts and professionals looking for 3ds Max 9 Portable

But why are people still hunting for a version released nearly two decades ago, and is a "portable" version actually viable? Why 3ds Max 9?

Released in 2006, 3ds Max 9 was a milestone for being the first release available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Today, it is primarily used for: Legacy Projects:

Opening and maintaining older files that may break in modern versions. Low-End Hardware:

Running 3D software on older laptops or machines that can't handle the heavy subscription-based modern versions.

Certain older game engines still rely on specific plugins or exporters that only work with version 9. The Appeal of "Portable" Software

A "portable" version typically refers to a software package that runs without a formal installation process, often from a USB drive. For 3D artists, this means: No Registry Bloat:

Keeping the host system clean of Autodesk’s heavy licensing services.

Carrying your entire setup, including custom scripts and plugins, between different workstations.

Bypassing lengthy installation and activation times on temporary machines. Important Considerations & Risks

While the idea of a portable 3ds Max 9 is tempting, there are significant hurdles to keep in mind: Legal Compliance:

Autodesk software is typically licensed per user or machine. "Portable" versions found online are often cracked or modified, which violates terms of service. For official use, Autodesk Education Plans or standard subscriptions are the only supported routes. Windows Compatibility:

3ds Max 9 was designed for Windows XP and Vista. Running it on Windows 10 or 11 often requires complex compatibility settings or virtual machines. Stability:

Portable versions can be prone to crashes because they may lack the necessary .NET Framework or DirectX components usually installed by the official setup. Modern Alternatives 3ds max 9 portable

If you need 3D power on the go without a heavy installation, you might consider:

It is natively portable. You can download a .zip version from the Blender website and run it directly from a thumb drive. Remote Desktop: Using a modern 3ds Max subscription

on a powerful workstation and accessing it remotely via tools like Parsec or Teradici.

While 3ds Max 9 Portable remains a niche tool for legacy modding and low-spec hardware, most users will find better stability and legal peace of mind using modern versions or natively portable alternatives like Blender. for older software on Windows 11?

I can’t provide direct download links, cracked software, or “portable” versions of 3ds Max 9 (or any commercial software), as that would violate Autodesk’s licensing terms and copyright laws.

However, I can offer legitimate information and alternatives:

If you just need a lightweight 3D tool for an old PC or USB drive

Blender Portable (legit, free):
Download from PortableApps.com – runs without installation, works on Windows 7/8/10/11.

Wings 3D – No installation needed, very small footprint, good for low‑poly modeling.

Would you like help with setting up Blender Portable or finding free modeling tutorials instead?

Overview

3ds Max 9 Portable is a powerful 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software that has been a industry standard for years. The portable version of 9 allows users to carry their 3ds Max 9 installation on a USB drive or other portable device, making it easy to work on projects from anywhere.

Key Features

Pros

Cons

Conclusion

Overall, 3ds Max 9 Portable is a powerful and convenient version of the popular 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software. While it may have some limitations, its portability and powerful features make it an excellent choice for professionals and hobbyists alike.

Rating

Based on its features, pros, and cons, I would give 3ds Max 9 Portable a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Recommendation

I would recommend 3ds Max 9 Portable to:

The year is 2008. Inside a dimly lit university computer lab, the air is thick with the hum of CRT monitors and the smell of stale coffee. While his classmates struggle with the restrictive permissions of the school’s workstations, Elias pulls a battered 2GB Kingston thumb drive from his pocket.

On it sits a "portable" version of 3ds Max 9—a digital ghost that doesn't need an installer, doesn't ask for admin rights, and certainly doesn't care about the lab's security software. The Midnight Render

Elias is an aspiring environment artist working on a final project that is three days overdue: a Gothic cathedral with stained-glass windows meant to refract light using the then-revolutionary Mental Ray engine.

He plugs the drive into Station 14. The Windows XP chime rings out like a starter pistol. He double-clicks the executable. For a tense thirty seconds, the splash screen—a stylized, wireframe orange sun—hangs in the center of the screen. Then, the four-viewports snap into existence. Gray, empty, and full of potential. Stability vs. Speed

Working on a portable build is a high-stakes game of "Save Early, Save Often."

The Workflow: Elias maneuvers through the interface with muscle memory, hitting M for the Material Editor and F9 for a quick render.

The Risk: Every time the poly count climbs too high, the "Application Error" dialog looms like a shadow. 3ds Max 9 was notorious for its "Product Activation Error" or "DLL Missing" hiccups when run off a USB 2.0 port.

The Innovation: He uses a script he found on an old CG forum to optimize the geometry, turning heavy meshes into "Proxies" to keep the thumb drive's transfer speeds from bottlenecking his CPU. The Breakthrough

At 3:00 AM, the lab is empty except for the security guard. Elias hits the "Render" button on the final 1080p frame. He watches the "buckets" of the Mental Ray renderer slowly march across the screen, revealing the limestone textures and the volumetric light beams he spent weeks perfecting.

The portable drive blinks a rhythmic, frantic red—data flowing back and forth as the virtual memory swaps to the flash storage. If he pulls the drive now, the file dies. If the power flickers, the drive fries. The Legacy

By dawn, the image is finished. Elias copies the .jpg to the desktop, safely ejects his "magic drive," and walks out into the morning light.

Years later, 3ds Max 9 would be remembered as a bridge between the old world of 32-bit modeling and the modern era. But for Elias, it was the software that lived in his pocket—a portable gateway that turned any workstation in the world into his personal studio.

Since Autodesk does not officially offer a "portable" version of 3ds Max 9, blog content around this topic usually focuses on the technical history of this landmark release or legitimate mobile workstations that supported it.

Here is a blog post drafted for a tech-retrospective or 3D modeling tips audience.

Retrospective: 3ds Max 9 and the Quest for a "Portable" Workflow

Released in October 2006, Autodesk 3ds Max 9 was a monumental shift in the world of digital content creation. It marked the first time the software offered both 32-bit and 64-bit executables, effectively breaking the memory barriers that had previously limited the complexity of 3D scenes.

Today, many users search for a "portable" version of this classic software to run on low-spec hardware or thumb drives. However, before you download a third-party "portable" repack, there are a few things you should know about the legality and technical reality of 3ds Max 9 on the go. 1. The 64-Bit Revolution

3ds Max 9 was designed to handle the "next generation" of digital assets. By introducing 64-bit support, artists could finally work with much larger data sets—reaching scenes with millions of polygons—without the constant fear of crashes due to memory limits. 2. Is "Portable" 3ds Max 9 Real?

Autodesk never released an official "portable" (install-free) version of 3ds Max 9. While community efforts like PortableApps have discussed the possibility of "thin-apping" or virtualizing the software, these methods are often unsupported and potentially illegal due to licensing and activation requirements.

In 2006, "portability" actually referred to mobile workstations. High-end laptops like the Dell M80 were the only way to carry this power with you, allowing artists to work on dense meshes and hair/fur simulations from anywhere. 3. Core Features of the 9th Edition The 3ds Max 9 Portable story revolves around

If you’re revisiting this version for its lightweight footprint (compared to modern 3ds Max), here’s what made it special:

Mental Ray 3.5 Integration: Included the Physical Sun and Sky shader for realistic outdoor lighting.

ProBooleans: A major update to Boolean operations for cleaner, more reliable modeling.

Animation Layers: Allowed artists to non-destructively blend animation data.

Interoperability: Significant improvements to FBX and OBJ file handling for better workflows with Maya and Revit. 4. Running 3ds Max 9 Today

Running 3ds Max 9 on a modern machine requires some legwork. Because it is no longer officially supported, you may face issues with modern Windows versions or activation servers. Original Minimum Requirements (64-bit): 3ds Max 9 Review: Focusing on Speed and Stability

This guide explores why version 9 remains a popular target for "portability" (a configuration that runs from a USB drive without installation), its landmark features from 2006, and the modern alternatives available today. What is 3ds Max 9 Portable?

In the 3D community, a "portable" version typically refers to a modified package designed to run without modifying the host system’s registry or requiring a lengthy installation process. For 3ds Max 9, this often involves:

Stand-alone Execution: Running the application directly from a folder or external drive.

Reduced Footprint: Stripping away secondary libraries to minimize the disk space required.

Legacy Compatibility: Using older, less demanding code to run on modern low-spec laptops.

Note: Most "portable" versions found online are unofficial, third-party modifications. Using these can pose security risks and often violates the software's End User License Agreement (EULA). Why Version 9 Remains Popular

Released in late 2006, 3ds Max 9 was a pivotal update that transitioned the software into the modern era of computing. Impact on Performance First 64-bit Version

Allowed artists to use more than 4GB of RAM, essential for complex scenes. Mental Ray 3.5

Introduced Physical Sun and Sky shaders for realistic lighting. Animation Layers

Provided a way to blend and manage complex character movements. ProBoolean Tools

Offered cleaner mesh operations compared to previous boolean methods. Minimum System Requirements

Because version 9 is nearly two decades old, it can run on virtually any modern hardware, making it a favorite for "portable" setups on older laptops. Processor: Intel or AMD processor (SSE2 support required).

RAM: 1GB minimum (2GB recommended for 32-bit; 4GB for 64-bit). Graphics: Direct3D 9 or OpenGL compatible card.

Storage: Approximately 500MB to 2GB depending on the version's "weight". Risks and Legal Considerations

Downloading unofficial portable software comes with significant drawbacks:

Security: Unverified executables often contain malware or "cracks" that can compromise your data.

Stability: 3ds Max relies heavily on Windows Registry entries and .NET Framework libraries; portable versions frequently crash when these are missing.

Licensing: Autodesk has ended support for 3ds Max 9. License owners can still use it, but finding legal installation media is difficult. Modern Alternatives to Portability

If you need a 3D modeling solution that is actually portable or lightweight, consider these official Autodesk and open-source alternatives: 3ds Max Free Trial - Autodesk

It is difficult to provide a "proper" review of 3ds Max 9 Portable in the traditional sense because this version of the software does not exist as an official, legal product released by Autodesk.

"Portable" versions of software are typically unauthorized modifications created by third parties (often "warez" or cracking groups) that strip out installers and licensing components to run from a USB drive.

However, I can review the software based on its reputation in the 3D community, its historical utility, and the significant technical and legal implications of using this specific version.

Here is a proper review of 3ds Max 9 Portable.

2. Performance and Stability

If you manage to get this running on a compatible system, the performance is surprisingly lightweight compared to modern standards.

Part 3: The Risks – Why You Should Think Twice

Searching for "3ds Max 9 portable" takes you into the darker corners of the internet: torrent trackers, Russian file-sharing forums (ru-board), and abandoned blogspots. The risks are significant.

Final Verdict: Avoid "3ds Max 9 Portable"

3ds Max 9 belongs to a different era of Windows software. Instead of hunting for a risky portable hack, invest your time in modern, portable-friendly tools like Blender — they are safer, more capable, and truly portable.

There is no official "portable" version of provided by . Software labeled as "portable" for such complex 3D applications is often an unauthorized modification that can be unstable, prone to crashes, or contain security risks.

For those looking to use 3ds Max 9—a legacy version primarily used for older game engines or low-spec hardware—here is a guide on setup and essential usage. 1. Installation & Compatibility System Requirements

: 3ds Max 9 was designed for Windows XP. On modern systems (Windows 10/11), you must run the installer and the executable in Compatibility Mode for Windows XP (Service Pack 3). 32-bit vs. 64-bit

: Ensure you use the version matching your plugin needs. For legacy game modding (e.g., Flight Simulator), the 32-bit version is often required for specific SDK plugins. Permissions : Do not install to the default C:\Program Files path to avoid permission issues. Use a custom path like C:\3dsMax9 2. Interface Navigation

The interface is divided into four main viewports: Top, Front, Left, and Perspective. Maximize Viewport

to toggle between the four-view layout and a single maximized window. : Click and hold the Middle Mouse Button (MMB) and drag to rotate the camera around an object. : Scroll the Ctrl + Alt + MMB for a smooth zoom. Center on Object to zoom in and center the view on the selected object. 3. Basic Workflow Create Objects Command Panel (typically on the right). Click the Create Tab (plus icon) and select , or other primitives. : Move tool. : Rotate tool. : Scale tool. : Switch to the Modify Tab

(rainbow icon) in the Command Panel to change dimensions or add for a quick render or to open the Render Setup 4. Essential Shortcuts Select Object Wireframe Toggle Edged Faces Toggle Isolate Selection Clone Object

For in-depth technical details, you can refer to the official 3ds Max 9 Reference Manual 3ds Max 9 Essentials Courseware Are you setting this up for a specific legacy project game modding 3dsmax Tutorial - Beginners Guide #1 - Introduction to max 11-Mar-2017 — System Requirements:

The silver casing of the USB drive was scratched, its once-polished finish dulled by years of rattling against loose change and apartment keys. It shouldn't have worked. By all logic, the software inside was a ghost—a relic of 2006 intended for Windows XP and a world that still used dial-up.

But when the "3ds Max 9" splash screen flickered to life, it felt like opening a time capsule.

There were no sleek, dark-mode ribbons or cloud-synced assets here. Instead, it was a grid of slate-grey viewports and icons that looked like they belonged in a cockpit. This was the "portable" version—a pirate’s miracle, stripped down to its barest bones to fit in a pocket.

The user clicked a button, and the familiar clatter of the fan began. A single sphere appeared in the center of the world. No fancy physics, no real-time Raytracing—just raw, jagged polygons waiting for a command. In this window, the laws of gravity were optional, and the sun was just a directional light with a multiplier set to 1.0.

For a moment, the modern world—with its subscriptions and mandatory updates—faded away. There was only the cursor, the modifier stack, and the quiet thrill of building something out of nothing, powered by a piece of plastic no bigger than a thumb.

The Legacy of Portability: Exploring 3ds Max 9 Portable In the history of 3ds Max, version 9—released in 2006—stands as a pivotal milestone. It was the first version to provide a bridge between 32-bit and 64-bit architectures, allowing artists to handle significantly larger datasets and more complex geometry. While Autodesk officially designs its software for workstation installation, the "Portable" version of 3ds Max 9 became a legendary tool in the CG community, favored for its efficiency, mobility, and minimal footprint. Technical Evolution and Efficiency

3ds Max 9 was built for speed. At a time when hardware resources were far more limited than they are today, the software was optimized to provide a "core" performance boost, particularly in viewport rendering and mental ray integration. The portable version took this efficiency a step further. By stripping away the heavy installer and the often-cumbersome Autodesk License Service, the portable build allowed the software to run directly from a USB drive or a cloud folder without modifying the host machine’s registry. Flexibility for the Independent Artist

The primary appeal of 3ds Max 9 Portable was the freedom it offered. In an era before cloud-based licenses were standard, moving between a home studio, a university lab, and a client’s office was a logistical challenge. Portable builds solved this by storing configuration files, plugins, and scripts within a single folder. An artist could plug in their drive and have their entire customized environment—complete with personalized hotkeys and UI layouts—ready to go in seconds. The Role of 3ds Max 9 Today

Despite being nearly two decades old, 3ds Max 9 remains relevant in specific niches, such as retro game modding and low-poly modeling. Modern versions of Max are feature-rich but resource-intensive; in contrast, version 9 is incredibly "snappy" on modern hardware. For tasks that don't require modern lighting engines or PBR workflows—such as basic mesh editing or architectural blocking—the portable version serves as a lightweight utility that bypasses the long load times of contemporary software. Conclusion

3ds Max 9 Portable represents a specific moment in digital art history where user demand for mobility met a robust, stable software core. While it lacks the sophisticated physics and rendering power of the current 3ds Max versions, its legacy survives as a testament to the value of streamlined, accessible tools. It remains a nostalgic favorite for those who value performance and simplicity over the bloat of modern enterprise software.

The fluorescent lights of the third-floor computer lab hummed with the kind of low-frequency drone that drives grad students to the brink of madness. It was 2:00 AM, three days before the final thesis review, and Elias was staring at the Blue Screen of Death.

His workstation, a behemoth of a machine that had cost the university thousands, had just choked on a render. It wasn't just a crash; the corruption was deep. The file was gone. The OS was unstable. And the IT department—those gatekeepers of administrative passwords and sanctioned software—wouldn't be in until 9:00 AM.

Elias had nothing. No project. No time. And, thanks to the crash, no functioning installation of 3ds Max on the university machines. The campus server, which authenticated the site license, was down for maintenance until morning.

He put his head in his hands. He was finished.

"You look like someone just deleted your system32 folder," a voice croaked from the back row.

Elias turned. It was Silas, the phantom of the architecture program. Silas had been there for seven years, possibly longer. He slept under the drafting tables and smelled faintly of instant coffee and ozone.

"The render corrupted the OS," Elias said, his voice hollow. "I can't reinstall Max. I can't authenticate the license. I’m dead in the water until IT fixes the server tomorrow."

Silas chuckled, a dry, rasping sound. He reached into his backpack—a canvas bag held together by safety pins and hope—and pulled out a generic, black USB drive. It was scratched, scuffed, and looked like it had been through a washing machine twice.

"You new kids rely too much on the cloud," Silas said, plugging the drive into Elias's machine. "The cloud can be turned off. The old ways... the old ways fit in your pocket."

"What is that?" Elias asked.

Silas leaned in, lowering his voice as if sharing a state secret. "This isn't the modern bloat. This isn't the subscription model. This is 3ds Max 9 Portable."

"Max 9?" Elias scoffed. "That’s from 2006. It doesn’t have the modern lighting engines, or the procedural tools, or—"

"It has polygons," Silas interrupted. "It has the modifier stack. And most importantly, it doesn't ask for permission."

Silas double-clicked the icon on the USB drive. There was no installation wizard. No progress bar asking for directories. The software simply unpacked itself into the RAM. In ten seconds, a familiar, gray interface blinked onto the screen. It was archaic, the icons slightly jagged, the color scheme reminiscent of Windows XP.

"It’s a portable app," Silas explained. "No registry keys. No need to call home to Autodesk to beg for a license. It lives on the drive. It runs anywhere."

Elias looked at the interface. It was stripped down. It was lean. In a world of software that demanded 8GB of VRAM just to open, Max 9 Portable felt like holding a scalpel instead of a sledgehammer.

Elias plugged in his backup drive. He didn't have time to rebuild his complex, texture-heavy scene. But he had the base mesh. He dragged it into the portable window.

He started to model. Without the bloat of modern background processes, the viewport was snappy. It was responsive. He wasn't fighting the software; he was just creating. He extruded, beveled, and chamfered. He used the classic 'Unwrap UVW' modifier. It was manual, gritty work, but it was stable.

The hours bled away.

By 5:00 AM, the lab was silent except for the frantic clicking of Elias's mouse. He wasn't trying to use the latest physically-based rendering engine anymore. He was using the tool to solve the problem. He set up a classic scanline render with standard lights—techniques the older professors actually respected because it proved you understood light physics rather than just hitting a "Render" button.

At 6:30 AM, he hit the render button on the portable software.

The render bucket—a square tile of progress—marched across the screen. It didn't crash. It didn't freeze. The software, stripped of its heavy modern accessories, simply did the math.

By 7:45 AM, Elias had his final image. It was clean, geometric, and stylistically distinct—a brutalist structure rendered in sharp contrast. He saved the file to his USB drive, closed 3ds Max 9 Portable, and pulled the drive out. The computer was exactly as it was before he started. No traces. No footprints.

The IT guy walked in at 8:00 AM, yawning with a cup of coffee. He saw Elias packing up.

"You're here early," the IT guy said. "Server is still down. No Max for you this morning."

Elias looked at the scuffed USB drive in his hand, then at the render on his screen. "I made do," Elias said.

He walked out into the morning sun, the portable drive heavy in his pocket. He had survived the crash. He had beaten the system. He had discovered that sometimes, the best tool for the job isn't the newest one—it's the one that actually works.

Review: 3ds Max 9 Portable

Verdict: A relic of a bygone era. While it was once a popular solution for students and freelancers needing to work on multiple machines without installation privileges, it is technically obsolete, legally risky, and functionally dangerous for modern workflows.

3. Comparison / Benchmarking Content

Option A: Portable Virtual Machine (The Heavyweight Champion)

Instead of making Max portable, make the whole computer portable.

Better, Legitimate Portable Alternatives for 3D Modeling

If you truly need portable 3D software (no install, runs from USB), consider these options instead:

| Software | Portable? | Notes | |----------|-----------|-------| | Blender (ZIP version) | Yes | Fully featured, free, runs from any folder without registry changes. Supports modeling, animation, rendering. | | Wings 3D | Yes | Lightweight subdivision modeler. Very small footprint. | | Sculptris (older version) | Yes | Portable ZIP available. Great for digital sculpting. | | OpenSCAD | Yes | Programmatic 3D modeling for engineers. | | SketchUp Make 2017 (portable repacks) | Unofficial | Use at own risk; not officially portable. |

Blender’s official portable version is the most practical answer to the "3ds Max portable" wish. It runs well on older hardware, supports modern file formats, and is 100% legal.