Viewport Clipping management improvements

[dswahn]

It is good that we in 2024 can finally control the Viewport Clipping values parametrically via MAXScript. Handling Viewport Clipping in previous versions have been one of the biggest annoyances inside 3ds max.

However, not all users know that this is possible to change with actual values, or where to find scripts that provide an interface.  I suggest that parametric control for the near and far Clipping Planes should be added to the Active Viewport Settings so that any user can find and control this in the most logical place to look without the need for external solutions.

And now that we can control this with using actual numbers we do not need to rely on that slider gizmo thing on the view of the viewport, so please let the user toggle whether this gizmo should be visible in the viewport while Viewport Clipping is enabled. And please expose this to MAXScript so it can be toggled by custom tools.

It is often the case that when you need to make screenshots of the viewport you need to have Viewport Clipping enabled to minimize z-fighting, and the gizmo will always be there as a distraction. Let users be able to choose if they want to include it or not.

 

[RobH2]

I like your suggestion and you bring up something I was unaware of...

So, how do you "control Viewport Clipping values parametrically via MAXScript" in case they never implement your idea?

[MartinBeh]

@RobH2 here are the basics, available since 2024.2:

vps = NitrousGraphicsManager.GetActiveViewportSetting()
vps.ViewportClippingEnabled = true
vps.ViewportClipNear = 0.1
vps.ViewportClipFar = 0.9

more in the online help

[dswahn]

@MartinBeh, Changsoo prepared a script with an interface back in 2023 where you can set the clipping planes with neat spinners: https://cganimator.com/cssetclippingplane/

However, I argue that this fundamental feature should not be left to an external script solution that users need to fetch and implement themselves. It should come with 3ds max when you install it as part of the native interface and dialogs.

[quinnredshift]

vps .ViewportClipNear = 0.1​

This doesn't work at meters scale, which is the scale game-dev engines like Unity and Unreal use.

That number would have to be so small that MAX rounds it to 0, like it or not.

Working on my characters teeth and gums right now, and it's a bloody nightmare because that near-clipping plane is too aggressive, kicks in too darned close.

I need a fix for that, because I'm halfway to saying to Hades with MAX and just trying Blender after all. This is ridiculous.

[MartinBeh]

You could try

vps.ViewportClipNear = -0.1

to turn off viewport clipping entirely?

[quinnredshift]

Not a bad idea...but I still can't get in close enough.

[MartinBeh]

Orthographic mode might come to the rescue then?

[quinnredshift]

I need realistic perspective to see whatinheck I'm doing.
There is a lot of orbiting around selected verts going on, here, just to see what's aligned to what.

No, I need a clipping plane that doesn't get in my way, 100%, still allows me to use the Perspective window and associated controls.

This has been a QoL problem for decades. Why is Autodesk not doing something about it?