by rusttm·Modeling
Illustrative cover generated by AnyPlugins — no product screenshot available.
Distance Shift earns its place in the scriptspot library for turning two picked points into a direction and a measured distance for shifting geometry or whole objects.
Distance Shift is a 3ds Max script from rusttm for accurately changing the distance of selected points or an object along the vector of two selected points. It measures the length between the two points, then moves your selection a given distance, measured from the first point of the chosen distance, with direction set by the vector between the two points. The script works with Editable Poly and with the Edit Poly modifier.
Beyond sub-object points, Distance Shift can also move whole objects: you pick a vector using two points and move the object a set distance along it. A step back, or undo, works on all input values, and after pressing the distance selection buttons you can cancel the operation with a right-click.
To set it up, drag the script into 3ds Max, then pull out the button or assign a hotkey to Distance Shift under the RUST Script category. This entry tracks version v3, last updated on 21 November 2023.
Distance Shift is best for precise, vector-based movement of points or objects by a set distance in 3ds Max.
Distance Shift is completely free to download and use.
Distance Shift installs by dragging the script into 3ds Max. Once it's added, you pull out the button or assign a hotkey to Distance Shift, which sits under the RUST Script category. From there you can trigger it however suits your setup, either from a toolbar button or a keyboard shortcut. For the current download and any further details, check the developer's page linked with this entry.
Distance Shift works with both Editable Poly and the Edit Poly modifier, so you can shift selected points whether your geometry is a native editable poly or carries an Edit Poly modifier in its stack. It measures the length between two selected points and moves your selection a given distance, measured from the first point of the chosen distance, with the direction set by the vector between the two points.
Distance Shift can move whole objects, not only sub-object points. You select a vector by picking two points, then move the object a given distance along that vector. The direction comes from the vector between the two chosen points, the same way it does when moving selected points. A step back, or undo, works on all input values, and after pressing the distance selection buttons you can cancel the operation with a right-click.
Distance Shift supports a step back, or undo, on all input values, so you can reverse the numbers you enter as you dial in a move. After pressing the distance selection buttons, you can also cancel the operation with a right-click. Together these give you a way to back out of a distance pick or an entered value without committing to a change you didn't want to make.
Distance Shift is listed as free in this catalog. For current licensing terms and the latest version, head to the developer's page linked with this entry. The catalog tracks it at version v3, last updated on 21 November 2023, though the developer's page is the place to confirm what's offered now and to pick up the download directly from the source.
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