As result it is a vary mature and complete environment. MAXScript has been a part of 3ds Max for a very long time. The Autodesk MCG samples are provided on GitHub here: The feature is documented here: Max Creation Graph Most nodes have inputs and outputs that you connect by dragging between them. The feature is basically visual programming, by providing a node-based editor to build graphs that produce 3ds Max commands and other functionality. It was introduced a few releases back, and has many great examples available already. One of the newest and hottest features of 3ds Max customization, is the Max Creation Graph feature. For more information, check out these sections in the help:Ĭustomizing 3ds Max (top level customization topic in user docs)Ĭustomize User Interface Dialog (specifics about Customize User Interface dialog) As you can see, the steps do not align with the layout of the dialog, but it works very well once you understand it. Once the menu is there, you can then drag actions.
In the above example, I have created a new menu called “adn samples” (lower arrow), and then you can drag that menu over to the right into the live “Main Menu Bar”.
The tabs are not always obvious on how to use them, but it is a good idea to take the time to understand the workflow, because it can be very powerful without having to write any code. For example, a modeling artist may need different tools to be present than an animation artist or rigger. All of these settings can be saved in a CUI file, and shared between users if you want to provide custom workflows and actions to a user base. This will provide you with the ability to create custom menus, toolbars, keyboard short cuts, mouse actions, and color schemes. There you will find the “Customize User Interface” dialog. Basically the “Customize” menu is your entry point to various UI and runtime customizations (ie. You probably have already discovered this if you have used 3ds Max for more than a couple of hours. UI Customization Let’s start with UI customization. However, I think it is important to have the bigger picture, so in this handout I will spend a little more time pointing you to resources to help you understand the vast landscape of customization tools available in 3ds Max. NET API, and Python, I will not go into great detail.
Additionally, now that 3ds Max is provided only as one version (previously there was also a 3ds Max Design flavor), those UI experiences are all part of the customization aspects of core 3ds Max.īecause this class is focusing on the newest programming tools. Those are all plugins for the standard install. Not convinced? See the \3ds Max \StdPlugs folder for proof. In fact, many of the “out-ofbox” features are provided as plugins.
Looking at the history, shows that customization was an important aspect even from the beginning, and has led 3ds Max into the rich software it is today. If interested in the history of 3ds Max, there are a few articles here: Programming environments for desktop software richly improves the usability, and for 3ds Max it is no different. But even then, there was a plugin environment called IPAS. Many readers may not even have knowledge of DOS, and for that I am glad for you. In the beginning… the product started out as 3d Studio for DOS. 3ds Max has a long history, and customization has been part of it since its start. 3ds Max customization environments Before we get started, let’s take a quick look at all the various ways of customization.