Customize User Interface

[earthman1970]

I have major problems with the customize user interface... Interface.

1. When building my tool bars if I move a tool that has a fly-out associated with it, Max loses the fly-out when it is moved and it is irrevocably lost. And since there doesn't seem to be any method for creating fly-out tools the interface must be completely reset. For instance, the array tool is integral to my workflow and I position it next to the mirror and align tools in my tool bar. When it is moved from the extras tool bar to the main tool bar the fly-out is lost? Or for instance, if I move the snaps on/off toggle its fly-out is also lost. When I try to replace it the 2.5 and 2 snaps toggle they are not available from the tools selection in the customize interface? Is this a bug? Do you plan on ever addressing it?

2. Saving workspaces also does not work. Aside from a completely useless interface, I have one machine that won't even load the workspace on default. It always reverts to the default workspace?

3. There doesn't seem to be a logical process for porting my UI set up to another installation of Max? There are workspaces and then there are customized UI's and it is unclear which attributes are saved in those files. Either way neither seem to hold all of the settings. In addition to that it is unclear where these files are stored and even when you locate then it is unclear which files are the files you need save somewhere and load in Max. How to I create a seamless transition of my UI to another installation. I train new designers in 3ds Max and I really need them to be working with the same UI I am working with?

I can work around numbers 2 and 3 by rebuilding the UI but it is really time consuming. However, number 1 I have no work around. Can you please address this?

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

Hello @earthman1970,

I have spent some time on this trying to find answers for you about these items.  I will do my best to detail my findings. 

1) There may be a way to get that the flyout for the array tool.  You might have to experiment for other tools in the flyout.  I renamed the Extras toolbar, saved out the toolbars and then edited the resulting file to narrow down the code that makes this happen.  That code is shown below.  Then I reset my toolbars and saved out the MaxStartUI.cuix and added this whole block of code to the end right after a /Window entry at the bottom and it actually worked for me.  So, this is the only way to do it from what I've seen.  My advice, get your toolbar all finished except for this and then add this to the end (or wherever.)  EDIT:  This is not recommended and not technically supported.  

     <Window name="YOURMENU" type="T" rank="3" subRank="0" hidden="0" dPanel="1" tabbed="0" curTab="-1" cType="1" toolbarRows="1" toolbarType="16">
            <FRect left="1165" top="218" right="1310" bottom="301" />
            <DRect left="0" top="309" right="142" bottom="357" />
            <DRectPref left="2147483647" top="2147483647" right="-2147483648" bottom="-2147483648" />
            <CurPos left="1165" top="218" right="1310" bottom="301" floating="1" panelID="16" />
            <Items>
                <Item typeID="3" type="CTB_SEPARATOR" width="6" height="16" orientation="31" visible="1" />
                <Item typeID="0" type="CTB_PUSHBUTTON" controlID="60120" helpID="0" orientation="31" captionVisibility="0" iconName="Extras/Array">
                    <FlyOffCt flyInit="0" flyTimeout="300" flyDir="3">
                        <Fly iconName="Extras/Array" />
                        <Fly iconName="Extras/SnapShot" />
                        <Fly iconName="Extras/SpacingTool" />
                        <Fly iconName="Extras/CloneAndAlignTool" />
                    </FlyOffCt>
                </Item>
            </Items>
        </Window>

2) There is a defect with the workspaces in that it always loads the default workspace on top of your custom workspace unless you uncheck the button as shown below.  This fixes this for most people, but please let me know if it does not for you.  Note that if you have this screen disabled on startup you can find it in Help->Welcome Screen.  

 

3)  To transfer all your customizations quickly and easily, there is tool in the Customize menu for that.  You can find it in Customize-> Save Custom UI Scheme.  Select a place to put them and press save and you'll be met with a menu matching the one below.  

Can you please try those things for me?  Thanks!

Please hit the "Accept as Solution" button if my post solves your issue or answers your question. This lets me know that I was effective in helping you, and thank you for doing so.

Best Regards,

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

Hello @earthman1970,

I just wanted to follow up here, any progress on this issue?

Best Regards,

[earthman1970]

I hadn't seen that there had been a reply until now. I will try these solutions tomorrow.

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

No problem @earthman1970, thank you for that.

Best Regards,

[earthman1970]

OK.. I've done some experimentation..

#1

It seems a little ridiculous to me that I actually have to hack the code of the UI to get what I want. After a few attempts, I have yet to be successful. My code syntax must be incorrect as the tool bars disappear entirely. I understand that I am likely missing some sort of syntax error but I shouldn't need to modify the UI at the code level to get what used to be a pretty simple procedure. However, for whatever reason I was able to get a workable tool bar on my mobile workstation when I first set up 2017. Attached is what my toolbar looks like on that machine.. My only wish is that what is essentially several toolbars could be combined into one toolbar. As is, I haven't been successful in moving the code around to achieve this. With some many small toolbars, they are easily un-docked and dragged out as a floater. It's a bit annoying. You will notice that I have a Isolate toggle button in my toolbar as this was the only way I found to get the "exit Isolation" floater functionality back as it is apparently missing from 2017.

#2

The check mark thing seems to work on my mobile workstation, I will test this tomorrow on my more robust machines and let you know if it is a good fix.

#3

I was aware of that functionality, however in the past it has not worked so seamlessly for me. I see now that the new work space functionality is included in that command. Again, I have save a master UI from the attached image and will attempt to load it on the work machines tomorrow. One question though? Are my customizations of the command palette now save in the custom UI file? In the past it needed to be rebuilt on reload. Are those settings in the MaxStart.ini file... for which I have learned to copy and save!

[Anonymous]

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It seems a little ridiculous to me that I actually have to hack the code of the UI to get what I want.

---

Correct, this is Autodesk...get used to it 😉

[Anonymous]

for Isolate (no hacking required), go into Customise UI>Keyboard>Isolate

You'll notice Isolate Selection has taken up AlT+Q

Well wrest back control, Remove it and give it the guy below...Isolate Toggle !!!

Yes I know, why change it in the first place ?

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

Hello @earthman1970,

Officially the word about #1 is that it isn't possible.  I did my best to provide a workaround for you, that's the best I can do there.  It took me a while to get it working.

Which customizations are you referring to on the command panel?  Thanks for the information.

Best Regards,

[earthman1970]

I get that. I know what the official word is. Is there an official word on why I move a flyout it loses flyout functionality when it didn't do that before. Is there an official word on why the 2d and 2.5d snaps aren't even available in the available tools in the customize user interface... interface? Because I haven't heard those official words yet.

Problem here is... I will spend hours getting the syntax in the code right and build my beautiful dream toolbar and Autodesk will release 2018 and none of it will work again. Any official word on that?

Nonetheless, thank you for your help.

[earthman1970]

Well that didn't do anything? It isolates fine, but if I didn't have the Isolate toggle in my tool bar, I would still have to go to Tools Menu/End Isolate to exit isolation mode? What happened to the End Isolate Floater that used to appear when you were in Isolation mode? I see that my alt-Q will now will now both isolate and end isolate but I liked the floater because it kept me aware that I am in isolation mode..

No worries though, Alt-Q works for both and the tool in my toolbar turns bright yellow and lets me know so I'm good. Its not like I don't have plenty of room for it in my tool bar on my work machines 4k 32" screens. Its a little cramped on the laptop though.

[earthman1970]

As in all of my button configurations? I didn't see those configurations in the code when I was reviewing it.

[Anonymous]

hmm..that's weird...for me I repeatedly press Alt+Q and it will correctly toggle, toggle, toggle....back and forth correctly, including updating the little icon down the bottom next to the padlock

[earthman1970]

My bad... yes Alt-Q does toggle, toggle, toggle.. I never noticed the little icon at the bottom though. Guess that's where the floater went and I just never noticed it. I will get used to looking there and and when I am, I will delete the one in my toolbar.. Thanks a Bunch 🙂

[Anonymous]

any customization will dissapear after serious crash.

the only way to save them - copy directory C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\%max_version%\ENU\en-US\UI

(and for minor crashes save files from ui customization interface - for menus/quads/hotkeys)

Customization and UI in max must be unified and re-programmed from scratch. It's the only way to fix something, that never worked fine.

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

Hello @Anonymous

If Max doesn't successfully shut down after the session when you made the changes, you may see that happen.  It usually indicates that your settings have been corrupted.  That can happen if 2 instances of Max are opened or closed too quickly after one another and they are both trying to write to the settings files at the same time.  

Sometimes if the Max process doesn't end after closing Max that might also do it, but if you find it's happening a lot place the attached script into the scripts/startup folder of the root of your Max install.  

@earthman1970,

Is there anything else I can help you with?  I'll do whatever I can to help.  

Best Regards,

[Anonymous]

Hello Alfred.

It's a good idea then to let user manually save workspace/changes and turn off UI auto save.

Because we are usually using multiple instances of max. One for the main scene or rendering, another - to fix some objects or editing/viewing assets.

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

I don't disagree that it would be nice to have an upgrade to the settings saving.  I'm also a Max user and I would like to see it.  I do talk to the team about some things that would be great to see, but the best place to get these things heard is the Feature Request board.  If you put anything up there (in any thread) and post a link I'll vote.  

Best Regards,