by rode3d·Workflow
Illustrative cover generated by AnyPlugins — no product screenshot available.
Scatter Tools stands out in the ScriptSpot library because it rearranges and redistributes the objects already in your scene instead of cloning a source, and because it uses no particle system your objects stay fully editable after use.
Scatter Tools is an object placement plugin for 3ds Max built to arrange, randomize and redistribute objects in a scene. Its guiding idea is scatter, don't clone: rather than placing copies of a source object, it scatters the objects you select over a distribution surface or points you define. Because it doesn't rely on a particle system, your objects stay accessible for manual adjustment and their original transforms can be restored at any time.
Placement uses five methods: over the entire distribution surface, by face orientation, auto-populate furniture, vertices or spline knots, and object pivots. The Auto-Populate Furniture algorithm scatters small elements such as books, toys and decorative objects across models of tables, desks, shelves and bookcases without collisions. A Switch Places tool swaps multiple objects to try different layouts, with options to take rotation from the target and to restrict swaps to similarly sized objects. Built-in collision detection applies across all methods.
Scatter Tools began as a sub-application of the RandoMixer 3ds Max plugin and has become a fully independent script. It can work as a complement to RandoMixer or as a stand-alone tool, and installing or running RandoMixer is not required. The two plugins carry separate license types.
Scatter Tools is best for architectural visualization, CG animation, motion graphics, 3D game art, VFX, graphic design and industrial design artists arranging and redistributing existing scene objects.
Scatter Tools is completely free to download and use.
Scatter Tools requires 3ds Max 2015 or higher, so any release from 2015 onward is supported. If you're running a version older than 2015, you'll need to upgrade before using the plugin. For the latest compatibility notes and any newer release details, check the developer's page, which also references tutorials and a script manual covering the placement and scattering methods in more depth.
Scatter Tools does not require RandoMixer to be installed or running. It began as a sub-application of the RandoMixer 3ds Max plugin and has grown into a fully independent script that brings RandoMixer's distribution tools together into its own interface. You can run it as a stand-alone tool or use it as a complement to RandoMixer, for example to edit or create states and variants manually. The two plugins have independent and different license types.
Scatter Tools does not use a particle system and creates no binding between elements. Because of that, you retain full access to your objects at all times and can adjust them manually whenever needed. You can also restore their original transforms at any point after scattering. There's no plugin dependency either, so you're free to keep working on your objects after using the tool, without anything locking them in place.
Scatter Tools is listed as free in this catalog. Licensing terms can change over time, and the developer offers purchase options alongside a fully functional trial, so check the developer's page for current licensing details before relying on any particular arrangement. The developer's site also links tutorials and a script manual if you want to see how the swap, scatter and randomize features work before committing.
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