by FishMan·Workflow
Illustrative cover generated by AnyPlugins — no product screenshot available.
Rotate To Grid earns its place in the scriptspot library as a focused fix for edge-based orientation, carrying the Align to Edge idea from Unwrap UVW into 3d.
Rotate To Grid handles a specific alignment task in 3ds Max: orienting an object along an edge. Take an Editable Poly object or apply the Edit Poly modifier, select a single edge, and call the script. The object aligns to the closest axis along that edge using face normals, much the same way Align to Edge works in Unwrap UVW, but in 3d.
The script is aimed at virtual studios and background planes where a reference image is not aligned properly. You can cut an edge using QuickSlice and then align the plane along it. It can also restore object orientation when transformations have been lost, for example after Reset X-Form is applied.
For edges shared by non-planar faces, there are two special cases: if the faces share at least one smoothing group, their average normal is used; if they share no smoothing group, the normal of one face is used. Rotate To Grid works with both Edit Poly and Editable Poly and has been tested on 3ds Max 2023 and 2024.
Rotate To Grid is best for aligning background planes and objects in virtual studios when a reference image isn't aligned properly, and restoring object orientation after transformations have been lost.
Rotate To Grid is completely free to download and use.
Rotate To Grid has been tested on 3ds Max 2023 and 2024. It works on geometry that is either an Editable Poly object or has the Edit Poly modifier applied, so both workflows are covered. To use it, select a single edge and call the script, and the object aligns to the closest axis along that edge using face normals. For releases outside those tested, behaviour isn't stated, so check the developer's page before relying on it in an older or newer version of 3ds Max.
Rotate To Grid installs from a single .ms file. Drag and drop the file onto the 3ds Max viewport, or run it through Scripting > Run Script. Once loaded, open Customize User Interface or the Hotkey Editor and look under the category named 'Custom', where you'll find a 'Rotate to Grid' entry. From there you can assign it a hotkey or drop it onto a custom toolbar. A video covering the installation and use is also available on the developer's page.
Rotate To Grid is built to work from a single selected edge. Take an Editable Poly object or apply the Edit Poly modifier, select one edge, and call the script to align the object to the closest axis along that edge. Selecting more than one edge may not produce the result you expect, so keep to one edge at a time. When an edge is shared by non-planar faces, the script uses the average normal if the faces share a smoothing group, or one face's normal if they do not.
Rotate To Grid is listed as free in this catalog. Licensing terms can change over time, so check the developer's page on scriptspot for the current details before you rely on it. The download is a single .ms script file that you drag onto the viewport or run through Scripting > Run Script, then assign to a hotkey or toolbar through the 'Custom' category in the interface customization dialogs.
by JTB World Inc.
JTB FlexReport LT is a freeware add-in from JTB World for 3ds Max that creates HTML reports on current usage of FlexNet/FLEXlm network licenses. Autodesk Network License Manager and other FlexNet vendors are supported.
by Colin Senner
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by Inglobe Technologies
AR-media, developed by Inglobe Technologies, exports Autodesk 3ds Max models directly into the AR-media Studio platform, where you can create Augmented and Virtual Reality experiences and add events, interactions, digital assets and media.
by SiNi Software
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by 3DZver
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by Hannes
Dark Listener enables dark mode for the 3ds Max listener, switching it on automatically at startup. The darker background is easier on the eyes and reduces eye strain during late-night work, with no manual setup after install.
