Aligning Multiple Objects as one - Other Solutions?

[milanvidovic]

So in order to align multiple objects to another, but as one - I would use the Group option on those objects, then Align. Now while I DO have a solution, I was wondering if there are other methods? As you can see from the first image it shows the attempt without grouping. All of the objects end up in the exact same position. I thought that the Align using Selection pivot would really be the trick, but I guess it makes sense that it doesn't work because they are all technically multiple individual objects.

Aligning with first reference point as selection.

Aligning once objects are grouped. Is there another way of telling Max to do this? Other than Grouping?  

[leeminardi]

Align can be interpreted in several ways.  The align function has several options to reposition an object such that it will have the same x, y, or z coordinate, or any combination of the coordinates.  It also has options that affect the 3D orientation an object. 

The position and orientation of an object is defined in its transformation matrix. The forth row of the 4 row by 3 column matrix defines the position of the object. Rows 1 through 3 define the 3D orientation.  A simple script could be created to "align" multiple objects according to your definition of align once it is clearly specified.     

[milanvidovic]

I understanding Aligning pretty well. It's really just based on what you want as a reference point. That's essentially what the options are. Is there a way to align multiple ungrouped objects without doing what I did? Perhaps I just didn't experiment enough?

[leeminardi]

Yes, as I stated previously, a simple script could be created to "align" multiple objects according to your definition of align once it is clearly specified.

[milanvidovic]

Can this be done with the software or not? I never mentioned programming. Nor do I have programming ability.

[leeminardi]

It is still not clear what you consider to be "aligned".

Let's say you have several objects each of which is located randomly in 3D.  If you want to place them all in a row in the x direction you could:

1. Select all the objects.
2. With the World coordinate system and Move function active specify a value of 0.0 for z and then 0.0 for y. 

This will move all the selected objects to the x axis. 

[milanvidovic]

Alright, so I have the end result of what I wanted screen-capped. The group of planks in the row they're in, the position they are in together, THAT spacing, centered on the X of the bottom plank. I have it highlighted in red. That centre point.

I achieved that by grouping those planks together. Then aligning it to the bottom (target) plank's X coordinate. Pretty easy. But THEN I have a screenshot of me doing the same thing, but the planks are ungrouped. I essentially have the solution (grouping). But what if objects aren't grouped? I was just curious how this is achieved when they aren't grouped. The second screenshot shows what happens when They are not grouped. They're all aligned on the centre X of that bottom plank except in the exact same position, disregarding their spacing. They aren't moving as one.

 

Ungrouped objects.