Arrange by Grid

Description

Arrange by Grid automatically organises selected objects into a structured grid layout.

The tool is designed to quickly create clean object layouts for asset libraries, product visualisation, furniture collections, vegetation sets, material previews, and scene organisation tasks.

Technical Requirements

Licence Requirements

This tool requires an active SiNi user account and a valid licence.

Supported Licences

• All Access Subscription
• IgNite Subscription
• Forensic (Free) Licence

The script will not function unless you are logged into the SiNi Desipher Licence Manager within 3ds Max.

If a valid licence cannot be found, functionality will be disabled until a licence is activated.

Activating Your Licence

1. Create a SiNi account at SiNiSoftware.com.
2. Download the latest SiNi installer.
3. Install SiNi into your version of 3ds Max.
4. This installs the SiNi Desipher Licence Manager.
5. Launch 3ds Max.
6. Open the Desipher Licence Manager.
7. Sign in using your SiNi account credentials.
8. Once your licence has been validated, the script will become available for use.

Installation

ZIP Package Contents

• MacroScript Version
• Documentation

Installing the MacroScript Version

1. Extract the ZIP file.
2. There are two options to install MacroScript .MZP files.
   – Drag and Drop the MacroScript .MZP file into a 3ds Max viewport.
   – Run the Script from the Command Panel; Utilities/MAXScript/Run Script.
3. Open Customise → Customise User Interface.
4. Select the Sinilab_Scripts category.
5. Drag the tool onto a toolbar, quad menu or menu.

MacroScript Controls

Single-Click the toolbar icon to apply the default setting.
Shift-Click the toolbar icon to open the UI and make adjustments. The settings will be saved as the default.

Rollout Reference

Arranges selected objects into a configurable grid layout.

Start Position

Defines the world position used as the starting point for the grid arrangement.

Set Grid Location

Sets the grid origin from the current scene location.

Reset

Restores the start position values to their default settings.

Auto Pivot to Base

Moves object pivots to the base of each object before arranging them in the grid.

Sort Method

Controls how objects are ordered before placement.

• By Name
• By Size
• By Colour

Arrange Selection

Processes the current selection and places the objects into the grid layout.

Number of Columns

Defines how many objects are placed in each row before a new row is created.

Grid X

Controls horizontal spacing between objects.

Grid Y

Controls vertical spacing between objects.

Live Spacing

Updates the arrangement interactively while spacing values are adjusted.

Stop Live Grid Adjustment

Disables live spacing updates.

Units Display

Displays the current scene measurement units.

Typical Workflows

Organise Asset Libraries

1. Select the objects to organise.
2. Enable Auto Pivot to Base if required.
3. Choose a sorting method.
4. Set the number of columns.
5. Adjust Grid X and Grid Y spacing.
6. Click Arrange Selection.

Troubleshooting

Objects are overlapping after the arrangement

Increase the Grid X and Grid Y spacing values and run Arrange Selection again.

Objects are not arranged in the expected order

Change the Sort Method before arranging the selection.

Grid starts in the wrong location

Use Set Grid Location or manually edit the Start Position values.

Live Spacing feels slow with large selections

Disable Live Spacing and use Arrange Selection after adjusting the spacing values.