Technical Description
Overview
Layer Colour Coding automatically assigns meaningful colours to layers and objects in 3ds Max using configurable classifications and name keywords.
Recognisable architectural visualisation content such as glass, furniture, vegetation, lighting, people and vehicles can be given consistent representative colours. This makes complex scenes easier to navigate and helps artists identify incorrectly organised or unrecognised content.
Layer Analysis reports matched layers and objects, required colour updates, possible layer mismatches and unrecognised content.
Selecting a result populates the Layer Content Review, allowing the corresponding layers or objects to be identified directly in 3ds Max.
Classification presets can be customised, saved and shared across a studio to maintain a consistent colour-coding standard.
Technical Requirements
| Requirement |
Details |
| Software |
3ds Max |
| Platform |
Windows |
| Licence |
All Access, IgNite or Forensic |
| Account Required |
Yes |
| Activation |
SiNi Desipher Licence Manager |
| Industry |
Architectural Visualisation |
| Developer |
SiNi Software |
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
- Create a SiNi account at SiNiSoftware.com.
- Download the latest SiNi installer.
- Install SiNi into your version of 3ds Max.
- This installs the SiNi Desipher Licence Manager.
- Launch 3ds Max.
- Open the Desipher Licence Manager.
- Sign in using your SiNi account credentials.
- Once your licence has been validated, the script will become available for use.
Installation
MZP Package Contents
- Layer Colour Coding MacroScript
- Toolbar icons
- Documentation
Installing the MacroScript Version
- Download the MZP package.
- Drag and drop the MZP file into a 3ds Max viewport.
- Alternatively, run the script from Utilities → MAXScript → Run Script.
- Open Customise → Customise User Interface.
- Select the Sinilab_Scripts category.
- Drag Layer Colour Coding onto a toolbar, quad menu or menu.
MacroScript Controls
Single-click the toolbar icon to open the Layer Colour Coding interface.
The interface provides controls for configuring classification rules, assigning colours, analysing layer organisation and reviewing the corresponding layer content.
Rollout Reference
Layer Colour Coding classifies layers and objects by comparing their names against configurable keywords.
Classification
Selects the classification to review or edit.
Built-in classifications include:
- Glass
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Furniture
- Accessories
- Lighting
- Vegetation
- People
- Animals
- Vehicles
- Fixtures & Fittings
- Structure
- Architecture
- Terrain
- Cameras
- XRefs
- Working
Parent Colour
Defines the main representative colour assigned to layers matching the selected classification.
Objects classified within the same colour family use deterministic colour variations, helping distinguish individual objects while retaining a clear visual relationship.
Classification Name
Defines the name used to identify the classification within the tool.
Changing a classification name does not rename layers or objects in 3ds Max.
Name Keywords
Defines the layer and object names associated with the selected classification.
Multiple keywords can be separated using commas or semicolons.
Layer and object names are compared against these keywords during Layer Analysis.
Each keyword can belong to only one classification. Duplicate keywords are detected and prevented to avoid ambiguous results.
Update Classification
Applies changes made to the selected classification name, keywords and parent colour.
The Layer Analysis is refreshed using the updated classification rules.
Add Classification
Creates a new user classification.
Enter a classification name, add the relevant keywords and choose a representative parent colour.
Delete Classification
Removes the selected classification from the current preset.
Deleting a classification does not delete or rename any content in 3ds Max.
Save Preset As
Saves the current classifications, keywords, colours and object colour assignment mode as an editable INI preset.
Preset files can be shared between users or distributed across a studio.
Load Preset
Loads classifications, keywords, colours and object colour assignment settings from a saved INI preset.
Presets containing duplicate keywords are rejected until the conflicts have been corrected.
Restore Defaults
Restores the built-in architectural visualisation classifications, keywords and colours.
This replaces the classifications currently displayed in the interface.
Object Colour Assignment
Controls how colours are assigned to objects contained within recognised layers.
Keep Object Classification
Assigns each recognised object a colour based on its own classification.
This is the recommended mode because objects placed on an incorrect layer remain visually distinct.
For example, a furniture object placed inside a vegetation layer retains its furniture colour rather than becoming green. This makes possible layer organisation errors easier to identify.
Adopt Parent Layer Colour
Assigns recognised objects a colour based on the classification of their parent layer.
Objects use deterministic variations of the parent layer colour, creating a consistent colour family across the layer.
Unrecognised Content
Unrecognised layers and objects remain unchanged.
The tool does not assign arbitrary colours to content that does not match a classification rule.
Layer Analysis
Analyses layer and object names using the current classifications and keywords.
The analysis does not rename, move or recolour content until Apply to Scene is selected.
Matched Layers
Reports the number of layers whose names match a classification keyword.
Selecting this result displays the recognised layers and their assigned classifications in the Layer Content Review.
Layers to Update
Reports the number of recognised layers whose current colours differ from their classification colours.
Selecting this result displays the affected layers.
Matched Objects
Reports the number of objects whose names match a classification keyword.
Selecting this result displays the recognised objects, their parent layers and their assigned classifications.
Objects to Update
Reports the number of recognised objects whose current colours differ from their calculated classification colours.
Selecting this result displays the affected objects.
Possible Layer Mismatches
Reports objects whose classification differs from the classification of their parent layer.
For example, a furniture object contained within a vegetation layer is reported as a possible mismatch.
The tool reports the mismatch but does not automatically rename the object or move it to another layer.
Unrecognised Layers
Reports layers whose names do not match any classification keyword.
Selecting this result displays the unrecognised layer names.
Unrecognised Objects
Reports objects whose names do not match any classification keyword.
Selecting this result displays the object name and its parent layer.
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Layer Content Review – Check Classifications and Keywords
Displays the layers or objects associated with the selected Layer Analysis result.
Each entry shows the relevant content name and, where applicable, its assigned classification or parent layer.
Selecting an entry identifies the corresponding content directly in 3ds Max.
Selecting a layer entry selects the objects contained within that layer. Selecting an object entry selects that specific object.
Layer Content Review is designed for confirming classifications and keywords. Layer names, object names and layer membership should be corrected using the native 3ds Max tools.
Refresh Layer Analysis
Rescans all layers and their objects using the current classifications and keywords.
Use Refresh Layer Analysis after:
- Renaming a layer or object in 3ds Max.
- Moving an object to another layer.
- Updating classification keywords.
- Adding or deleting classifications.
- Loading a different preset.
- Making other changes to the scene organisation.
Refreshing the analysis does not apply or change any colours.
Apply to Scene
Applies the current classification colours to recognised layers and objects.
The selected Object Colour Assignment mode determines whether objects retain their own classification colours or adopt their parent layer colour.
Unrecognised layers and objects remain unchanged.
The operation can be reversed using Undo in 3ds Max.
Typical Workflow
- Open Layer Colour Coding.
- Review the built-in classifications, keywords and colours.
- Update the classifications or add studio-specific classifications where required.
- Choose an Object Colour Assignment mode.
- Select Refresh Layer Analysis.
- Select a result in Layer Analysis.
- Review the corresponding layers or objects in Layer Content Review.
- Select reported content to identify it directly in 3ds Max.
- Correct layer names, object names or layer membership using the native 3ds Max tools where required.
- Refresh the Layer Analysis to confirm the corrections.
- Select Apply to Scene.
- Save the classification settings as a studio preset if required.
The recognised layers and objects are assigned meaningful colours using the current classification rules.
Studio Presets
Classification presets are saved as human-readable INI files.
A studio can create a shared preset containing its preferred:
- Classification names
- Layer and object keywords
- Representative colours
- Object colour assignment mode
The preset can be stored in a shared location and loaded by other artists to maintain consistent layer colour coding across projects.
Preset files can also be edited manually. Duplicate keywords must be resolved before the preset can be loaded.
Troubleshooting
A layer or object is not recognised
Check that its name contains a keyword assigned to the intended classification.
Update the relevant classification keywords and refresh the Layer Analysis.
A layer or object has the wrong classification
Check whether one of its name keywords belongs to another classification.
Update the classification keywords or rename the content in 3ds Max, then refresh the Layer Analysis.
A keyword cannot be added
The keyword may already belong to another classification.
Each keyword can belong to only one classification. Remove it from the existing classification before assigning it elsewhere.
A preset will not load
Ensure the file is a valid Layer Colour Coding INI preset.
Check for duplicate keywords assigned across multiple classifications. Conflicting presets are rejected to prevent ambiguous analysis results.
An object is reported as a possible layer mismatch
The object name matches a different classification from its parent layer.
Review the object in 3ds Max and decide whether its name, parent layer or classification keywords should be corrected.
Selecting a layer highlights multiple objects
Layer entries represent the complete contents of that layer.
Selecting a layer in Layer Content Review selects all valid objects contained within it.
Refresh Layer Analysis does not change any colours
Refresh Layer Analysis is a read-only auditing action.
Select Apply to Scene when you are ready to apply the classification colours.
Unrecognised content keeps its existing colour
This is expected behaviour.
Unrecognised layers and objects remain unchanged until their names match a classification keyword.
The tool is disabled
Ensure you are logged into the SiNi Desipher Licence Manager and have a valid licence.
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