Automatic Blueprint Box Function

[scottcorrigall]

So many projects start the same way: creating planes for top, left and front views of a model, creating materials for each view, applying those materials to each plane, aligning the planes, turning off their backside views, freezing them, showing them even though they're frozen,  etc, etc.  This is such a common first step that it would be nice to have a feature where we just tell 3ds where to find the blueprint images, tell 3ds the expect height (or other single dimension) and it will build the blueprint box for us. 

[Kranos_Orphydian]

I think I might have to update my old idea since this goes even further:

[Reference Images] Import images as planes, prevent switching to wireframe mode, like in Maya, Blend...

Do you happen to know a program that does exactly what you mentioned?

[scottcorrigall]

I have not seen anything that does this on its own.  I like the idea of dragging an image to a plane that you mention elsewhere, but I'd love this idea too, where it resizes and aligns them too.  I will finally have to look up whether this is scriptable in max.  Maybe it could become a project some weekend, but it would still fit as a primary function, I think, that should come with the software.  Most of the training I've ever had is against designing within software like max, so coming in with concept art and blueprints should be extremely common.  Yes, I can do it, but the frustration you get having to go through a ton of undos if you realize you forgot to freeze a plane or something like that!  I'd want it automated so I can focus on the model from minute 1.  I wish I had something for you that already exists, but if I write it myself I'll post it through here somehow too.