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MAX3ds Max

Loop Animation

by SimonBourgeois·Motion Graphics

Illustrative cover generated by AnyPlugins — no product screenshot available.

Why we like it

Earns its place in the ScriptSpot library as a focused utility for looping position, rotation and scale keys, with an offset option added in 1.2 for spacing loops apart.

What is Loop Animation?

Loop Animation is a script for 3ds Max that turns keyframed motion into a repeating loop. Run on selected objects, it finds the first and last animation key, copies all the keys, and moves them to the last key location. For the loop to play back properly, the first key and last key need to match. It works on position, rotation and scale keys.

An iteration parameter controls how many times the script is applied, acting as an exponential factor. Starting from 50 keys, one iteration produces 100 frames, a second gives 200, a third gives 400, and so on. Version 1.2 added an offset parameter that creates a pause between loops.

The script installs by drag and drop, after which it appears under the "SimonScript" category in Customize User Interface / Toolbar. It was tested on 3ds Max 2024 and should also work on previous versions. The download is a compact .mcr macroscript, and it is listed here as free.

Who is Loop Animation best for?

Loop Animation is best for 3ds Max animators who want to turn a matched start-and-end keyframe sequence into a repeating loop across position, rotation and scale.

How much does Loop Animation cost?

Loop Animation is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Loops keyframes by locating the first and last animation key of selected objects, then copying and moving them to the last key location
  • Works on position, rotation and scale keys
  • Iteration parameter applies the loop repeatedly as an exponential factor, so 50 keys becomes 100, 200 or 400 frames across successive iterations
  • Offset parameter, added in version 1.2, creates a pause between loops
  • Installs by drag and drop and appears under the "SimonScript" category in Customize User Interface / Toolbar
  • Delivered as a compact .mcr macroscript file

Tags

#3ds Max#animation#loop#keyframes#script#macroscript#SimonScript#workflow

Frequently asked questions

Does Loop Animation work with 3ds Max 2024?

Loop Animation was tested on 3ds Max 2024 and, according to the developer, should also work on previous versions, though those are not confirmed. It ships as an .mcr macroscript around 2.16KB in size. If you are on a version older than 2024, expect it to run but verify the looping behaviour on your own scene first, since only 2024 is listed as tested. For the current confirmed compatibility, check the developer's page linked with the download.

How do I install Loop Animation in 3ds Max?

Loop Animation installs by dragging and dropping the .mcr file into 3ds Max. Once loaded, open Customize User Interface and look under the Toolbar section, where the script appears in the "SimonScript" category. From there you can add it to a toolbar for quick access. The download is a single macroscript file, so there is no separate installer to run. After installing, select the objects you want to loop and run the script.

What does the iteration parameter in Loop Animation do?

Loop Animation's iteration parameter sets how many times the script is applied, and it behaves as an exponential factor rather than a simple multiplier. Starting with 50 keys, the first iteration produces 100 frames, the second produces 200, the third produces 400, and each further iteration doubles again. This lets you extend a loop over a longer span in a few steps. Keep in mind that for the loop to play back correctly, your first key and last key need to match.

What did the 1.2 update add to Loop Animation?

Loop Animation version 1.2 added an offset parameter that creates a pause between loops. Instead of each repetition flowing straight into the next, the offset lets you insert a gap between them. The rest of the script works as before: it finds the first and last animation keys of selected objects, copies all the keys, and moves them to the last key location, operating on position, rotation and scale. This version was last updated in March 2025.

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