by TheMan·Workflow
Illustrative cover generated by AnyPlugins — no product screenshot available.
Earns its place in the scriptspot library as a Python-focused dark theme, deliberately coloured apart from DarkScintilla so MaxScript and Python editors read differently at a glance.
MaxPyDarkTheme is a dark theme for the Python (PyMXS) scripting editor in 3ds Max. It ships as version 1.0 and uses a slightly different colour scheme than DarkScintilla, keeping the two easy to tell apart when you switch languages: MaxScript shows in black and Python in blue.
Installation runs through the editor rather than a drag-and-drop. Close all 3ds Max sessions, start a new one as administrator, then use Scripting > Run Script and open the DarkPyTheme .mzp file. Admin rights are needed because python.properties only lives inside maxroot. During installation the script makes a backup named python_backup.properties.
If something goes wrong, you can restore the original by deleting python.properties and renaming python_backup.properties back to python.properties. The script is tested on 3ds Max 2023, with 2022.3 and up recommended. Colours can be adjusted to your own preference, and the developer's page includes a guide for that. If you also want a matching dark theme for MaxScript, DarkScintilla is the companion option.
MaxPyDarkTheme: Dark Theme for Scripting Editor in Python Language PyMXS is best for 3ds Max users who script in Python and want a dark editor theme distinct from their MaxScript one.
MaxPyDarkTheme: Dark Theme for Scripting Editor in Python Language PyMXS is completely free to download and use.
MaxPyDarkTheme is tested on 3ds Max 2023, and the developer recommends using version 2022.3 and up. If you're on an older build, that guidance suggests sticking to 2022.3 or newer for the theme to apply as intended. The theme targets the Python (PyMXS) side of the scripting editor specifically. If you also work in MaxScript and want a matching dark look, the developer points to a separate companion theme called DarkScintilla. Check the developer's page for the current file and any details beyond the tested version.
MaxPyDarkTheme installs through the editor rather than a viewport drag-and-drop. First close all open 3ds Max sessions, then start a new one as administrator. From the top menu choose Scripting > Run Script, select the DarkPyTheme .mzp file, and open it. After that, close 3ds Max and reopen it normally to see the theme applied. Running as administrator is required for the install to complete, since the file it modifies sits inside the 3ds Max program folder. Closing all open sessions before the admin launch is emphasized as important.
MaxPyDarkTheme needs administrator rights because it modifies python.properties, which only lives inside maxroot, the 3ds Max program folder under Program Files. Because you're running as administrator, you can't drag and drop the installer into the viewport, which is why installation goes through Scripting > Run Script instead. If you launch 3ds Max normally without elevated rights, the script can't write its changes to that protected location. Start 3ds Max as administrator for the install, then run it normally afterward once the theme is in place.
MaxPyDarkTheme creates a backup during installation named python_backup.properties, so reverting is possible if something goes wrong. To restore the original, delete the python.properties file, for example at C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2023\python.properties, and rename python_backup.properties back to python.properties. That swaps the theme's settings for the ones you had before installing. Because these files sit inside the program folder, you'll likely need administrator access to make the change, matching the requirement for installing in the first place.
MaxPyDarkTheme is listed as free in this catalog. For current licensing terms and the latest file, check the developer's page. The theme comes as version 1.0, and the developer notes that colours can be adjusted to your own preference, with a guide linked from their page for anyone who wants to tweak the palette. If you want a matching dark theme for MaxScript alongside this Python one, the developer points to a separate option called DarkScintilla.
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