ViewPort Preview

64 votes
Version: 
1.4
Date Updated: 
10/22/2011
Author Name: 
Anubis

Capture Viewport animation to any output video/image format that 3ds Max support, with an access to the I/O bitmap setup (quality and compression settings), with a few (similar to the renderer) timing options.

Viewport PreviewViewport Preview 1.2

Update

    - version 1.4 change log:

  • Now custom-built sequence support negative ranges
  • You can use interval (space sign) in custom-built sequence
  • What that mean?

    Previously to enter range between -5 and +3
    you should type: "-5,-4,-3,-2,-1,0-3"
    Now you can just type "-5 - 3" (or "-5-3").

    Also using intervals (optional) made the input more clear.
    "-5 - 3" is more readable than "-5-3", and
    "-15 - -10" is more readable than "-15--10".

    Examples:

    -- next sequence:
    "-9 - -7, -5 - 2, 6, 9 - 11"
    -- will capture frames:
    #(-9, -8, -7, -5, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 6, 9, 10, 11)
    -- next sequence:
    "-9 - -7, -5 - -2, 6, 9 - 11"
    -- will capture frames:
    #(-9, -8, -7, -5, -4, -3, -2, 6, 9, 10, 11)

    - version 1.3 change log:

  • added Stop option (interrupt the process via Escape)
  • - version 1.2 change log:

  • added Maximize Viewport option
  • added Expert Mode On option
Additional Info: 

I saw a request about similar script that to end in various file formats with output compression access, i.e. for example, to end with small size movie instead of large uncompressed AVI's. Well, it's nothing fancy, the built in Max function selectSaveBitMap() just "fix" that. For more details read the usage notes below.

Installation
Well, you can run the script from everywhere but if you with to install it...

  • Download both script files (.ms + .mcr)
  • Put .ms file into your Max / Scripts folder
  • Run .mcr file once
  • Go to Customize User Interface dialog, Find "ViewPort Preview" under Tools category
  • Create a button or assign it to hotkey, menu, quad.

Usage Notes
Most features are self explaining (I hope).

  • "Make Preview" button is disabled until set output file.
  • Use "Save As..." to choose directory and output file format.
  • Max will bring up it Setup dialog for compression settings.
  • Reverse Animation option come in use (and have sense) when save to video (AVI/MOV)
  • In v.1.3 and below:

  • Optional Frames input sequence require a little bit more details:
    1. -- If you enter invalid value, it will be skiped without error messages
      -- Adding space interval after comma is not wrong but not necessary
      -- In intervals e.g. "3-6" (that equal to "3,4,5,6") space character is wrong, i.e. this "3-6" will be proceeded, but "3 - 6" value will be omited
      -- Due to the minus character ("-") that in use for intervals values like "3-6", the negative frames would be accepted only in ordering (e.g. "-3,-2,-1")
      -- The order of values is not important in comma sequence 'cause the script auto sort the string, e.g. "0-3,8,4,-2" will be sorted and goes out as "-2,0,1,2,3,4,8"

    In last v.1.4:

  • Optional Frames input sequence is more flexible (*READ Update log above)
Version Requirement: 
3ds Max 2008 (or AVG for previous)
AttachmentSize
vppreview_1.4.ms7.67 KB
VPPreview_1.3.ms6.36 KB
VPPreview_1.2.ms5.89 KB
macro_vppreview_1.4.mcr371 bytes
macro_VPPreview_1.3.mcr371 bytes
macro_VPPreview_1.2.mcr371 bytes

Comments

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Anubis's picture

Thanks. The script updated,

Thanks. The script updated, now the slidertime restore it's previous location, as suggested, but for SceneRedraw I prefer to stay on just to be sure so all animations like scripted particles or scripted controllers will be updated correct.

Cheers,
Anubis

my recent MAXScripts RSS (archive here)

thedour's picture

Nice! I had a thought and

Nice!

I had a thought and tested it: wrapped your bt_dotit pressed event with disableSceneRedraw() & enableSceneRedraw() and it is ever so slightly faster.

Also it may be nice to have the slidertime return to it's original location.

Point!

Michele71's picture

Good job Anubis :) Very, very

Good job Anubis :) Very, very useful ;) One point to you!

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