MEM's Max2Maya - maya viewport navigation in 3ds Max

44 votes
Version: 
1.2
Date Updated:: 
24/01/2011

Hello everybody. I want to share with you something I whipped up these past couple of days.

IMPORTANT! In order for all the controls to work, the pan and zoom hotkeys inside 3ds max must NOT be altered.

Also, make sure you close max before installing this, or it won't install.

It's basically an alternate viewport navigation inside 3ds Max that tries to mimic maya's Alt + Click viewport navigation to some extent. I am aware that there is at least one commercial solution out there that does this, but this one is free and I thought you might like that little detail.
It should work on all max versions, both 32bit and 64bit. Obviously, you can only install the 64bit version on a 64bit OS.

Updated to version 1.2:

User should no longer receive the message "An older instance of this script is already running. Replace it with this instance?", caused by max crashing (or its process being terminated from task manager) and not running the shutdown script.
(Thanks to Simon Reeves for pointing out the problem).

New in version 1.1:

It picks up the input a little better when switching from one window inside max to another. MMB is still problematic. More about it in the readme file.
Also made a zoom to cursor option in uv view (shift + alt + right click).

Feedback is welcome. You can also contact by e-mail at

[email protected]

I hope you like this and find it useful. Cheers!

------------------------------------------------------------------

Ok, a little more explanation: For now, there's no way to fix conflicts with the tools in graphite that require alt-left click. I don't think this can be fixed, given the way the script works. There is just no way for the script to detect that you are in any of the modes graphite modeling tools puts you in.

So, as a workaround, you'll have to temporarily disable the script. You can do this by pressing the Ctrl+Alt+F3 keyboard combination. Pressing it again will re-enable the script.

Other Software Required: 
3ds max, any version (not tested on all versions)
AttachmentSize
memsmax2maya1.2.zip1.16 MB

Comments

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SharrySteve1's picture

Why does the Autodesk not

Why does the Autodesk not allow you to customize for shortcuts and this has been causing a bit of trouble. Has anyone encountered this issue and if so how you fixed it.
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Zara Goninan's picture

I like to choose between Maya

I like to choose between Maya and Max or rather use both of them. Unfortunately, if I work with one of two softwares intensely, it's quite difficult to go back to the other one, because I'm prone to use the last navigation style. As said here, I prefer Maya navigation style because it's fast, logic and easy to remember.

SY0-401 vce

Iris's picture

Time to learn 3ds Max native navigation...

I hate that Autodesk wont let you customize shortcuts for things like the shift commands for cloning or the alt commands for graphite tools I thought this Max2Maya script would be the answer but once again I find more things I want to customize yet cant........How can you make the toggle for this shit Ctrl+Alt+F3 and not let it be customized, and then you encrypt a free script so the toggle cant be edited, I cant remap the toggle with autohotkey or sharpkeys at this point it would be better for me to learn Max's native controls and not having to click ALT+CTRL+....F3 to deslect stuff or use alt for graphite tools everytime. In a world were we try to avoid having to click ALT+CTRL to zoom you make it toggling just as painful thank you.

leasoncarter's picture

Some guided solutions seems

Some guided solutions seems not working,, tried but no luck as well.

skychase's picture

help

Same problem here, i don't know what to do, i'm using 3ds max 2011 though. Help please

devvijay's picture

Gives Error while starting Max 2012

After installing, it gives Error while starting Max 2012.

The message is - Error at line 9.

Pl. help.

sme's picture

Thank you

It works on 3dsmax design 2013!! Thanks, I needed this for 3DS gave me a headache for soooo many years for I got quite familiar with Maya (11years now) and needed to go back to Max. I used to work with 3ds for over 14years, but once I switched to Maya I didn't want to go back to Max.
You really helped me a lot.

Thanks.

SME

harumscarum's picture

great idea!

and i have another one.
as Wacom tablet user i wonder if it possible to bind MMB+LMB combination? this will make all wacom users happy because it will make possible to zoom viewport holding just one button + touch and move pen

Bird's picture

I have some problems with my

I have some problems with my 1.2 version(( It won't work, iven with the fact that 1.1. version ran perfectly. What am I doing wrong?
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stpascual's picture

really great job but

This is really helpfull but i have a problem i can't use shift + drag to copy and clone objects, anyboby have the same problem? or in this script it's just like that o.O?

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