Composition Assistant

Description

Composition Assistant uses a three-stage camera workflow.

Source Camera

The original camera provides the starting composition.

Working Camera

A temporary camera used to explore alternative framing, overlays and composition adjustments without affecting the original camera.

Output Camera

A final production camera generated from the approved composition.

This workflow allows artists to experiment freely while preserving the original shot.

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Technical Requirements

Software	3ds Max
Platform	Windows
Licence	All Access, IgNite
Account Required	Yes
Activation	SiNi Desipher Licence Manager
Industry	Architectural Visualisation
Developer	SiNi Software

Supported Camera Types

• Free Camera
• Target Camera
• Physical Camera
• V-Ray Physical Camera
• Corona Camera

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Licence Requirements

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

Supported Licences

• All Access Subscription
• IgNite Subscription

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.

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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.

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Rollout Reference

Shot Setup

Creates and manages the composition workflow.

Source Camera

Selects the camera used as the starting point for the composition workflow.

Pick Source

Selects a camera directly from the scene.

Use Active Camera

Uses the current viewport camera as the Source Camera.

Typical use:

Quickly begin composing from an existing scene camera.

Subject

Defines important scene objects used during composition.

Pick Subject Target

Selects the object the composition should focus towards.

Pick Primary Subject

Selects the main object used as the visual subject.

Typical use:

Identify the most important object in the shot before exploring composition alternatives.

Working Rig

Creates and manages the temporary composition camera.

Create Working Cam

Creates a temporary camera for composition work.

Delete Working Cam

Removes the temporary composition camera.

View Working Cam

Switches the viewport to the Working Camera.

Reset Composition

Restores the Working Camera to its original state.

Typical use:

Return to the starting composition after experimenting with alternative framing.

Compose

Provides composition guides, framing controls and refinement tools.

Compose Overlay

Displays composition guides and overlay presets.

Compose Overlay

Selects the active composition guide.

Available guides:

• Rule of Thirds
• Golden Ratio
• Golden Spiral
• Golden Triangles
• Centre Frame
• Diagonals
• Safe Frame

On

Displays the selected overlay in the viewport.

Cam Composer

Displays a single composition overlay for focused shot development.

Overlay Guides Only

Displays guide combinations for composition comparison.

Overlay Colour

Sets the viewport colour used for composition guides.

Custom Colour

Enables user-defined overlay colours.

Reset

Restores the default overlay colour.

Preset

Loads predefined guide combinations designed for specific composition styles.

Rule of Thirds

Combines Thirds and Diagonal guides.

Typical use:

General photography, architectural visualisation and balanced compositions.

Portrait

Combines Thirds, Centre and Safe Frame guides.

Typical use:

Character, product and portrait-focused compositions where the subject dominates the frame.

Landscape

Combines Thirds and Centre guides.

Typical use:

Exterior environments, wide architectural shots and scenic imagery.

Cinematic

Combines Thirds, Diagonals and Safe Frame guides.

Typical use:

Film-style framing with strong visual flow and subject emphasis.

Golden

Combines Golden Ratio, Golden Spiral and Golden Triangle guides.

Typical use:

Create naturally balanced compositions based on classical artistic principles.

Architectural

Combines Centre, Diagonals and Perspective guides.

Typical use:

Building exteriors, interior corridors and compositions with strong structural lines.

Symmetry

Combines Centre and Safe Frame guides.

Typical use:

Formal compositions where balance and symmetry are the primary focus.

Perspective

Combines Diagonals and Perspective guides.

Typical use:

Emphasise depth, leading lines and visual movement through the scene.

Guide Preview

Displays a visual preview of the selected composition guide.

Guide Tip

Displays a brief explanation of the selected composition technique.

Typical use:

Learn the purpose of each guide while evaluating alternative compositions.

Compose

Explores alternative framing positions.

Upper Left

Moves the composition towards the upper-left region of the frame.

Upper Right

Moves the composition towards the upper-right region of the frame.

Lower Left

Moves the composition towards the lower-left region of the frame.

Lower Right

Moves the composition towards the lower-right region of the frame.

Typical use:

Explore alternative compositions without manually moving the camera.

Refine

Makes precise composition adjustments.

X

Adjusts composition placement horizontally.

Y

Adjusts composition placement vertically.

Z

Adjusts composition depth.

Reset Refine

Returns all refine controls to their default values.

Typical use:

Fine-tune a composition after selecting a framing position.

Status

Displays information about the current Composition Assistant session.

Status Message

Reports the current operational state of the tool, guides and preview system.

Examples:

• Idle
• Working Camera Created
• Preview Image Not Found

Global Actions

Creates final output cameras and manages the current Composition Assistant session.

Create Output Camera

Creates a production camera from the current Working Camera.

Typical use:

Generate a final render camera while preserving both the original Source Camera and the Working Camera.

Reset All

Removes temporary composition data and returns the tool to its default state.

Typical use:

Start a new composition workflow without manually deleting temporary cameras, targets or composition helpers.

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Typical Workflows

Improve an Existing Camera

1. Activate an existing scene camera.
2. Create a Working Camera.
3. Choose a composition overlay.
4. Explore alternative framing positions using the Compose buttons.
5. Refine the composition using the X, Y and Z controls.
6. Click Create Output Camera.
7. Compare the Output Camera with the original Source Camera.

Typical examples:

• Exterior hero shots
• Interior marketing imagery
• Product visualisation
• Animation keyframes

Compose Using Rule of Thirds

1. Create a Working Camera.
2. Select Rule of Thirds.
3. Enable the overlay.
4. Position the subject near a guide intersection.
5. Refine the framing.
6. Create an Output Camera.

Typical examples:

• Exterior visualisation
• Interior visualisation
• Product rendering
• Landscape imagery

Architectural Symmetry Framing

1. Create a Working Camera.
2. Select an Architectural or Symmetry preset.
3. Enable the overlay.
4. Align major building features to the guides.
5. Refine the framing.
6. Create an Output Camera.

Typical examples:

• Building elevations
• Hero exterior renders
• Interior corridor shots
• Formal architectural photography

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Troubleshooting

Why are the guides not visible?

Enable the overlay and ensure a composition guide is selected.

Why can I not create a Working Camera?

Ensure an active viewport camera is selected before creating the Working Camera.

Why do I need a Working Camera?

The Working Camera allows you to explore alternative compositions without modifying the original Source Camera.

Why should I create an Output Camera?

The Output Camera stores the approved composition and can be used for rendering or further development while preserving both the Source Camera and Working Camera.

Why are there multiple cameras in my scene?

Composition Assistant uses a non-destructive workflow.

• Source Camera = Original camera
• Working Camera = Temporary composition camera
• Output Camera = Final approved camera

Why does the Status rollout show “Preview Image Not Found”?

The selected composition guide preview image is unavailable. The guide itself continues to function normally.

Why is my Output Camera different from my Source Camera?

The Output Camera stores the approved composition created from the Working Camera while preserving the original Source Camera.

Why did my original camera not change?

Composition Assistant only modifies the Working Camera and preserves the original Source Camera.