Scale Control script

Nothing fancy I think, but I saw many times peoples confused when come to binding each of scale XYZ values to a separate spinner controller, so this time I decide to help on this question with this mimi tool, that's all ;)

The script you can get from this forum thread, or Copy/Paste it from here.

rollout dlgScaler "Scale Control"
(
   local asp = #()
   
   spinner spnX "X:" range:[-1000,1000,100]
   spinner spnY "Y:" range:[-1000,1000,100]
   spinner spnZ "Z:" range:[-1000,1000,100]
   pickbutton pbNode "Pick Object" autoDisplay:true
   
   on pbNode picked obj do if isValidNode obj do
   (
      if classOf obj.scale.track != ScaleXYZ do
         obj.scale.track = ScaleXYZ()
      local asc = getXYZControllers obj.scale.track
      for i = 1 to 3 do asp[i].controller = asc[i]
   )
   on pbNode rightclick do
   (
      pbNode.object = undefined
      pbNode.caption = "Pick Object"
      for i = 1 to 3 do asp[i].controller = undefined
   )
   on dlgScaler open do (asp = #(spnX, spnY, spnZ))
)
CreateDialog dlgScaler

Delete NoteTracks

Well, its about cleaning the mess after bipeds. I write twice about this. Once by posting the primary and most older source that offer solution about - Long time max file save issue, and once more in Ballooning file issue where I post more links to additional sources and solutions.

Why then I post again about this? Looks like the bugs in Max varied between versions and the chance some of the solutions to work for everybody is a bit arbitrary. One more solution is always welcome, right?

For instance, in the case mention at ScriptSpot, the method is based on TrackViewNodes.Max_MotionClip_Manager but it is unstable as Max not always know Max_MotionClip_Manager track, but calling it by index i.e. trackViewNodes[5] solve that. This way it work not just for me.

fn deleteNoteTracks = (
    mcMan = TrackViewNodes[5]
    while (numNoteTRacks mcMan > 0) do
    deleteNoteTrack mcMan (getNoteTrack mcMan 1)
)

If by some reason this method not work for you, there is other 2 methods posted at CGTalk forum. The first of them not work here. Its based on DefNoteTrack, but it is undefined here and the line of code...

(notetrack "").classid -- that should fix it...

...as I read this work for someone but not for me. The DefNoteTrack still stay undefined after that, so the whole solution do nothing for me.

Well, at the end of this forum thread has another method that I never tested. It's based on re-copy the whole Max_MotionClip_Manager track. Two peoples confirm that it works and that it is really faster, do the job almost instantly. So if it works for you, it looks as the best one, but if not, then you have one more solution to play with.

Autoweight - Automatic skinning tool

Autoweight is a script by Mirko Haenssgen designed to speed up skinning process (in 3ds Max 2010 and higher).

La Ola

La Ola is scripted tool by Daniel Wichterich which creates wavelike delay motion using scripted controlers (nice idea). More details.

SOX Realtime Spring

Inspired by Harrison Yu script Realtime Spring, a new (very neat coded) script for the same goal is out - SOX Realtime Spring by SangWon Lee.

Self Referencing Script Controllers

It's a known problem, I think. The recursion issue appear if we call itself from within Script Controller. The main subject of this thread is how to simplify the "bypass" that usually we made with Custom Attributies. So, I think its s'd be interesting subject for animators and mostly riggers, for scripters maybe too. Usually I suggest workaround that I call "proxy controller", as it's easy for understanding and following, but this time I decide to share and another approach that not so abstract as it looks. It's based on "at time" context which made self-call safety. Well, I'll not going to repeat myself, so just read the forum topic. Cheers!

Input Camera

Input Camera is a free tool by Michael Sharpe, allows the user to control FreeCamera in 3ds Max via XBOX 360 controller.

Stretchable Bone Chain

A video tutorial by Henrique Lundeqvist on how to make a stretchable bone chain in 3ds Max.

Bendy limbs tutorial

A tutorial by Felix Joleanes that covers the creation of Bendy rigs in 3ds max. (thanks to JoDaC for the web link to that tutorial)

Facima Tools

FACIMA Tools is a free script based plug-in for 3ds Max 2008 and higher by Alexey Vlasov for importing MoCap data from Pixel Farm PF Track.

Custom Rigger

A script by Nero Demaerschalk.
CustomRigger is a tool to create a rig in a matter of seconds.

View Aligned Node

Nice MaxScript idea by Denis Trofimov on how to make View Aligned (billboard) Node. Read at CGTalk.

Dual Quaternion Skinning in 3ds Max

Raylight XrayBlendSkin plugin for 3ds Max 2008 - 2011.

Procedural gears setup

New video tutorial by Paul Neale.

Kinect Tutorials

Motion capture PDF tutorials by Reuben Fleming for Kinect-Motionbuilder-3dsMax workflow.

Spring simulations with Flex modifier

Ever wish you could create a soft body simulation on your mesh to bounce it around? 3ds max has had this ability for many years now, but it's tricky to set up and not very obvious that it can be done at all.

Read Fred Ruff tutorial here.

Automatron 1.2

Andy Murdock has released for free his Automatron 1.2 (MAXScript based character animation system).

Interactive Fracture System

Video tutorial by Tzahi (Isaac) Keshet.

Piston animation

Luke Pettit wrote an excellent script that recreates the tutorial from Dario Strano.

Moving a piston with math

Very interesting video tutorial by Dario Strano, showing how to rig the head motion of an engine piston using math equation.