topic Re: Detecting the active viewport to automate snap settings in MaxScript in 3ds Max Programming Forum

Detecting the active viewport to automate snap settings in MaxScript

maxspeed_dev — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 06:44:31 GMT

I've been experimenting with automating snap behavior in 3ds Max based on the active viewport, so I don't have to manually flip between Vertex, Edge, 2.5D, and 3D snap modes every time I switch viewports.

I'm curious how others approach this. Is there a reliable way you've found to detect the active viewport and switch snap settings accordingly, without interfering with the user's existing configuration?

Particularly interested in solutions that work reliably across 3ds Max 2020 through 2026.

Re: Detecting the active viewport to automate snap settings in MaxScript

A娘 — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:30:19 GMT

if you had ensure how to change settings with different viewport , add a callbacks with #activeViewportChanged , with viewport interface you can get the type , then set what you want
if you want a toggle between auto set and original , add a check button on a rollout , when checked , save current settings add the callbacks , when uncheck , remove callbacks and set with saved
if you only want some of types , then when active viewport not need , set with saved

Re: Detecting the active viewport to automate snap settings in MaxScript

maxspeed_dev — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:56:23 GMT

Thanks a lot for the detailed answer! I actually ended up using #activeViewportChanged for this exact thing, so good to know that's the right approach. Really appreciate the tip on toggling with a rollout checkbox too, that's a nice pattern.