UPDATED JULY 15TH(thrice...)

Note - more 3ds max modifications found in this thread:

• Toolbar mod
• Menu mod
• CreateClean
• 3Point Max Plugin Toggler
• maxstart.max
• Automatrix
• PerTools_Public
• Subdivision Buddy

3DSclean - Sensible 3ds max modifications
dev.3pointstudios.com
dev.3pointstudios.com/pub/3DSclean.zip

From the readme:

3DSclean v0.166
dev.3pointstudios.com
perna@3pointstudios.com

3DSclean will reconfigure a fresh 3ds max 2009 install to use more sensible default values, in addition to moving all user files to one central location, as opposed to spread around various directories on your harddrives.

Unsupported and provided without any warranty.


INSTRUCTIONS:

• Install 3ds Max 2009. Do NOT run the program.
• Copy the files in the 3DSclean archive into the root directory of the program.
• Run 3DSclean.bat
• Start the program like usual and enjoy the new default setup

CHANGES

MAIN UI

Disable the welcome screen
Disable the viewcube
Zoom Extents works on selected object
Zoom All Extents works on selected object
Orbit works on Subobject (i.e viewport rotation will work the way it should)
Small UI buttons
Object lister now uses the old dialog instead of scene explorer
Select By Name now uses the old dialog instead of scene explorer

TOOLBAR

Close infocenter floater
Remove undo/redo buttons

D3D SETTINGS

Set highest rez viewport textures
Set Anisotropic filtering
Set 'Nearest' mipmap lookup

MATERIAL EDITOR

Raised ambient color
Default materials changed
"Propagate Materials to Instances" disabled
Shows 6x4 materials by default

SYSTEM SETTINGS

Unit setup to centimeters
Undo level 80
Autobackup every 2.5 minutes
16 autobackup files
16 Recent Files listed
All transform gizmo appearances altered
Reference Coordinate System Constant
Supress collapse stack warning
Supress topology dependence warning
Supress missing UVs rendering warning
Disable backface culling on create
Enable keyboard shortcut override toggle
Enable vertex snaps
Set default render sizes to sensible values from 640x480 to 1600x1200
Do not zoom extents following file import
Do not propagate unhide/unfreeze commands to layers

OTHER

Removed the annoying multi-click bug error report dialog when max crashes

CONFIGURATION DIRECTORIES

Max no longer lives in "my documents"
Max no longer lives in "Documents and settings\user\local settings\application data\autodesk\"
All relevant max files are in one user-chosen location

USER FILES

All user files will reside in a directory of your choosing
you can now keep your own max changes and overrides separate from the max installation files.
To transfer your setup to another machine, do the following:

• Copy the setup directory (chosen by you), 3dsmax.ini, d3dgfx.ini and InstallSettings.ini into the other install. Some extensions may have dropped plugin files in <max_root>\stdplugs, which you will have to move over manually for them to work. I suggest moving all 3rd party plugins into the "userplugins" directory below your 3DSclean directory.
• Make sure to edit the ini files to contain the correct paths for the new location

USER DIRECTORIES

Listed with getDir values for maxscript:

• icons\ - #userIcons: icon files you put in here will override the default max ones
• scripts\ - #userScripts: typical script install path, though untouched by max until evaluated
• scripts_evaluated\ - #userMacros: Evaluated scripts. To permanently remove a script, delete it from this location
• scripts_startup\ - #userStartupScripts & #startupScripts:
• maps\ - "global" bitmap, fx and photometric files
• plugcfg\ - #plugcfg: plugin configuration files
• proj\ - #scene default project directory
• renderpresets\ - #renderPresets

MAXSTART.MAX

Default max scene. Found in the 3DSclean install directory. You can replace this with your own setup.
Configuration:

Grids disabled
3 small, 1 large viewport, ideally sized for 1:333 renderoutput on widescreen monitors
Viewport statistics toggled off by default. When enabled, shows currently selected and total number of triangles only.
Disabled selection brackets
Show edges for selected objects
Area filter set to 1.0. This is the correct way to fix blurry renders in max, not by changing the filter type.
Increased loading speed by removing dependency on acadblocks.dlu and reactor.dlc

PROJECT DIRECTORIES

It's strongly suggested that you start using the project directory feature of 3ds (found in the file menu). The advantage is that files will be grouped on a per-project basis. For example your export/import files and autobackup files. This means you can, among other things, go back to a 6-month old project and still have the autobackup files intact.

Once you have defined a project, by picking a directory, max will make a number of subdirectories and use those for various tasks. The default directory is set to "<max_root>\usr\proj". You can set it to any location on your machine. The 3DSclean custom subdirectories are listed below:

• \ - root dir, holds scene(.max), sound, animation and material files
• \tmp - temporary files, not used in production. Typically import/export and map bakes. Drop anything in this dir
• \img - bitmap files used in production. Normal, diffuse, specular, etc
• \out - optional. Used at 3Point for WIP screenshots and renders plus overpaints, sequentially numbered images
• \bak - autobackup files for the project

TROUBLESHOOTING

Some scripts write to hard-coded locations instead of using the correct getDir values. Many also want to be placed in stdplugs/stdscripts, which is reserved for standard max scripts. Well-written scripts will behave properly, while some others may require you to move files around manually.
Max 8,9,2008 and 2010 are untested with 3DSclean and unsupported, but may well work fine.

CHANGELOG

071509 v0.166

• Removed the "choice" and "my documents" references, increasing OS compatibility. Please note that you can still manually enter the path to your "My Documents" directory
• Removed 3DSclean_noprompt.bat

071509 v0.165

• Now contains alternative installer: 3DSclean_noprompt.bat, which will work on installs that do not support the "choice" command (some flavors of vista I assume)

071509 v0.164

• maxstart.max: Viewport layout optimized for 1:333 render ratio.
• maxstart.max: Removed file dependency on acadblocks.dlu and reactor.dlc. Increased loading speed.

070809 v0.163

• maxstart.max: Viewport brackets off. Changed zooms.

062909 v0.162

• Lights created default to having shadows enabled

062809 v0.161

• Fixed bug where userplugins directory is not created. To fix this problem simply create a userplugins directory under your install destination

062709 v0.16

• Added install path choice menu in installer
• Added errorchecking in installer
• Added default material override
• Added userplugins directory
• Added help file to Help->Additional Help in Max
• Show 6x4 materials in the material editor
• Select By Name now uses old (fast) dialog instead of scene explorer
• Disabled "Propagate Materials to Instances"

CREDITS

3DSclean by Per Abrahamsen - per128@gmail.com
rss.exe by Ross MacGregor - http://www.programmersheaven.com/user/Ross+MacGregor/
Testing by Joao Joshua - joao.joshua@3pointstudios.com

Download (60kb): dev.3pointstudios.com/pub/3DSclean.zip

nice nice,

Autodesk should hire you to fix their painful mistakes


what about material instancing when applying to new objects that are instance - I hated that in max2009. Its in the Material Editor > Settings > propagate Instances (or something like that)

This sounds really cool ! I'll definitely test that on my next 3ds installation.

We'll provide you with some better presentation. For now, the important thing is just getting the stuff out there.

Since the Main Toolbar can't be edited via normal drag-n-drop, here is a properly formatted manual edit that removes unnecessary buttons.

Buttons were either removed as the functionality is so important you use keyboard shortcuts for it anyway (undo, move tool, render, etc), or because modelers don't use it often enough to justify a button on the main toolbar (bind to space warp, select and manipulate, schematic view, etc)

In order to copy only the Main Toolbar section into your own cui setup, replace your "[Main Toolbar]" section with the one in this file.

http://dev.3pointstudios.com/pub/3PS_toolbar_01.cui

bottom: Old layout. Top: New layout

edit:
I forgot to mention: In the main toolbar replacement file, there's a hidden toolbar included which contains the buttons which were removed from the main toolbar. So if you ever find yourself stuck without a button and can't find the function anywhere else, just enable that toolbar.

edit2: Max has poor custom toolbar handling. The easiest way to get this toolbar to work may be to save it as <max_root>\ui\maxstartui.cui

I just tried installing this thing, it gives me this error when I load UIs (doesnt matter whether its a custom UI or one of the default ones)



However, the UI succesfully loads anyway so its not really a big problem.

Can I delete this folder path? This bin64\max09 thing seems to be created by 3DSclean. Theres a maxscrpt.dsk and MXS_SciTE.recent file inside this folder and nothing else.

interesting... will consider after i see more feedback

Good catch Yozora, there was one instance of original path left in the config.
I've updated the archive.
To fix the error message if you already have 3DSclean installed, replace the bin64.. path in 3dsmax.ini with your max program path. Alternatively use this patch (extract to max root and run 3DSclean_patch012to014.bat):

http://dev.3pointstudios.com/pub/3DS...ch012to014.zip


renderhjs: I haven't run in to that - must be a different workflow. Can you describe how the option works and what it improves?

Thanks, the fix worked fine.

I had most of these settings like this setup by default anyway but I like the look of the new transform gizmos.

The best thing is now everything is in one directory! I really hate going to that AppData folder, all programs should keep settings in one place Now if only someone made a Photoshop version... :p

Thanks again for posting this!

regarding the material propagate to instances thing, this is what I mean:


it would be also nice to have the max2009 (design release at least) fixed the default material types to non mental ray because they slow down the system each time I open the material editor:

Also (but perhaps already covered) the world UV setting in the general settings perhaps disabled because thats only usefull for UV noobs and haters (like many architecture guys).

Thanks for sharing Per.

After installing it, we are free to change any of the settings using the standard way, like change autoback from 2.5 to 10min? These settings won't be strictly enforced every time 3dsmax starts up, will they?

renderhjs: It's not something I do, drag-drop, but will keep it in mind for future updates. Be aware that different materials on instances in max can cause significant viewport rendering slowdown.

Try to use the following to change away from the default mental ray materials:
Customize->Custom UI and defaults switcher

Alternatively you can dump the following medit.mat in <max_root>\defaults\[your_cud_dir]

[your_cud_dir] will be the choice listed in the "Custom UI and defaults switcher" list

http://dev.3pointstudios.com/pub/medit.mat

thank you a lot, Bro.

Vig: Absolutely. These customizations provide you with a better base to work from than default max. You are still free to further personalize to your heart's content.

Default settings in max are very poor. You can't even export a non-buggy OBJ file without changing them. A lot of people get a bad impression of the software because of this. As an example I frequently see people who suggest rendering with catmull-rom to give sharper results, in effect applying an edge sharpen filter to a blurred image. The real solution is to change the "make renders blurry and ugly" parameter. Yes, they actually have that parameter, it's just called something else. I don't know why autodesk are sabotaging the user experience with such absurd default values. What is certain is that you'll have a significantly better time with a properly configured max.

There's a large number of problems like that with max, and the customizations you find and will find in this thread address many of those things. They won't cater to individual preferences and will not give you user options, but they'll certainly provide a far better base to work off of than default max does.

I forgot to mention: In the "main toolbar" replacement provided above, there's a hidden toolbar included which contains the buttons which were removed. So if you ever find yourself stuck without a button and can't find the function anywhere else, just enable that toolbar.

NP conte, let me know how it works for you!

Menu file.

UPDATED JULY 8TH

Drop this in your usr directory, then load it from customize -> customize user interface -> menus.

It de-bloats the menus for modelers. You'll find them significantly simplified. The old menus are found, intact, under "Advanced". Recently opened files are now listed directly under the file menu, like in old versions of max, for faster access.

edit: Max has poor custom menu handling. To get it to load the mnu file at startup, the easiest way would be to save it as <max_root>\ui\maxstartui.mnu (your file MAY be different. In that case check the [CustomMenus] section of your 3dsmax.ini)

Download:
http://dev.3pointstudios.com/pub/per128_3dsmenu.mnu

Screenshot:


CHANGELOG

070809

• "max" entry is now called "customize" and contains grid & snap settings
• "perSeparator" spaces menu elements
• a large number of entries are renamed for improved clarity

oh wow, very nice menu :o thanks!

One thing, in the file menu it says " Missing: Reset Scene" in grey
Is that some kinda custom script to reset the scene that is different from the default reset? :o

Edit: Oh crap, the .mnu includes the quad menus... Lucky I backed up

Yozora: Ah yeah. I released that earlier, but can't find the original thread.

Download:
http://dev.3pointstudios.com/pub/pertools_public.zip

extract into your <max_root>\usr directory.
Open the .mcr file in script editor and evaluate

The new "Reset Scene" script will remove the annoying "are you sure you want to reset". Please note it will still notify you if you haven't saved your file.

works really well, Per. i had some "problems" with changed axis thing, but now i think that its very comfortable to work with!

Delicious.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by perna

Menu file.

Drop this in your usr directory, then load it from customize -> customize user interface -> menus.

It de-bloats the menus for modelers. You'll find them significantly simplified. The old menus are found, intact, under "Advanced". Recently opened files are now listed directly under the file menu, like in old versions of max, for faster access.

edit: Max has poor custom menu handling. To get it to load the mnu file at startup, the easiest way would be to save it as <max_root>uimaxstartui.mnu (your file MAY be different. In that case check the [CustomMenus] section of your 3dsmax.ini)

Download:
http://dev.3pointstudios.com/pub/per128_3dsmenu.mnu

Screenshot:

That's great and all but how about reducing the text size for making the edit poly workflow a single 'window' instead of a double spread across the single monitor setup. Quite frankly I'm sick of doubling the pane size which in turn reduces viewport size just to get to all of those required modelling features.

GCMP: I hear ya. Ideally someone should replace the command panel entirely, rewrite it from ground up. Streamline it, clean it up, get rid of all the clutter. Add new functionality to optimize workflow.

I suppose that could look something like.... this

http://dev.3pointstudios.com/pub/cp3p_01.png

uh yeah I like that mockup, especially that xtra less space that blows usually each interface so much and gone all the buttons that are dated or no one uses anymore.

what could be done though is a custom or additional minimal modeling panel (not like the graphite modeling GUI) with the basics of the editPoly and modifier controls

So, anyone tried this on 2010 already?

Does this work for max 2008?

All the customizations it should work just fine on any version of max from 9 and up. Getting it to run on v8 might require a couple of changes. If anyone can run some tests, that would be appreciated.

I'll be spending my time getting you guys new stuff, rather than testing old stuff.

Oh, and renderhjs... which mockup?