Arrange / Distribute Objects

[cjwidd]

Look all over, but cannot find a script that evenly distributes a selection of objects in n-rows / n-columns. MCG-Arrange accomplished this task, but is not functional in 3ds Max 2020.

It's very surprising to me that such a script does not exist(?)

[aaouviz]

Damn,

That looks handy. I don't have any tips, but posting here in case someone comes up with a solution.

[cjwidd]

This is the best I've found so far (link)

Not as flexible as I would like, but it does evenly distribute objects between two points. I'm looking for a solution that can distribute a selection of objects into an arbitrary number of rows and columns, like MCG-arrange.

[pokoy]

Hmm I guess PFlow could help here, you can specify a group as object source, and then use a grid birth operator... but controls are limited.
Maybe TyFlow provides more options...

[piotrus3333]

what is missing from Array tool in 3ds max?

[cjwidd]

Right, I was going to use TyFlow, but I was really hoping to avoid that; I assumed there was probably already a script floating around that maybe someone had but never shared online(?)

[aaouviz]

what is missing from Array tool in 3ds max?

Honestly I don't know what's missing from it. But this - to me - is an awful tool. I have no idea what it wants, I never get the expected results.

[romullus]

Array is a great tool and i use it a lot, but it doesn't do what cwidd wants. It can't take multiple existing objects and arrange them into some array. I need to test that mcg script - never felt particular need for such tool, but who knows, sometime it may come handy.

[cjwidd]

what is missing from Array tool in 3ds max?

Do you mean, "How does the 3ds Max array tool not suit the intended use case?"

I think the answer is just that the array tool does not perform this function; the array tool generates an array of instances (or copies) based on the transform of the selected objects, the array tool does not *arrange* objects, which is what I'm trying to do, and what the MCG_Arrange tool used to do.

[Philip kelly]

Forest pro/ Rail clone?

[cjwidd]

Forest pro/ Rail clone?

Right, I assume RailClone does do this, and ForestPack might also do this. I could look into using FP for this, but I do not have access to RC.

To be sure, I was really looking for a turnkey solution for this, thinking a script for it already existed - and it does, but not for Max 2020.

[Frood]

If plugin dependency is not an issue for you:

1. there is a free version of RC
2. you might try the (also free) Clone modifier: Select all objects you want to distribute, apply modifier twice to create a grid with them. All parametric and adjustable.


Good Luck

[piotrus3333]

Array is a great tool and i use it a lot, but it doesn't do what cwidd wants. It can't take multiple existing objects and arrange them into some array. I need to test that mcg script - never felt particular need for such tool, but who knows, sometime it may come handy.

create an array and replace objects with simple replacer script.

[cjwidd]

If plugin dependency is not an issue for you:

1. there is a free version of RC
2. you might try the (also free) Clone modifier: Select all objects you want to distribute, apply modifier twice to create a grid with them. All parametric and adjustable.


Good Luck

Thanks Frood, looking into this +1

[clemens_at]

also highly recommended: AdvArray