How can I open 3ds Max 2008 files in 3ds Max 2009?
It's simple just open 3ds max 2009 and go to file>>open>>your file. It's very simple to open your file in new version but if you want to open in older version than you have to export that file into (.fbx) format.
You can open a 3ds Max 2008 file like 3ds Max 2009 ones. Just go to File menu, select Open or Import, browse for the file, select it and click OK. Alternatively, launch the program and drag and drop the file.