Material ID Manager

Description

Material ID Manager allows artists to inspect, organise and edit Material IDs across multiple objects from a single interface.

The tool provides Material ID analysis, object selection tools, colour management and harmonisation utilities designed to improve scene organisation and material workflows.

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.

Rollout Reference

Capture, inspect and modify Material IDs while maintaining consistent viewport colour management.

Capture

Stores the current selection as the source set used throughout the tool.

Restore Source

Reselects the previously captured source objects.

Refresh

Rebuilds the Material ID list using the current source objects.

Target ID

Specifies the Material ID used by selection, isolation and editing tools.

Select by ID

Selects all source objects using the target Material ID.

Isolate ID

Hides source objects that do not use the target Material ID.

Unisolate

Restores visibility after an isolation operation.

Reset

Clears stored data and resets the interface.

Group ID

Switches between grouped Material ID reporting and per-object reporting.

Selection Only

Restricts operations to the captured source selection.

Sort

Sorts Material ID groups in ascending or descending order.

• ID Asc
• ID Desc

Material ID List

Displays Material IDs, usage counts, object names and source information.

New ID

Specifies the Material ID applied to selected objects.

Apply To Select

Assigns the New ID value to the current selection.

Live Link

Tracks viewport selections and updates the interface automatically.

Rule

Selects how viewport colours are assigned after Material ID changes.

• Dominant ID
• Last Edited ID

ID Colour

Defines the viewport wire colour associated with the active Material ID.

Apply

Applies the selected ID colour to all objects using the active Material ID.

Set Base

Defines the anchor colour used by the harmonisation system.

Mode

Chooses the colour distribution strategy used during harmonisation.

• Spectrum – Distributes colours across the full hue range.
• Complementary – Creates opposing colour pairs.
• Analogous – Generates closely related colours.
• Triadic – Produces balanced colour separation.
• High Contrast – Maximises colour distinction.

Apply Harmonisation

Generates and applies harmonised colours to all Material IDs in the current source.

Status

Displays current tool feedback and workflow guidance.

Typical Workflows

Analyse Existing Material IDs

1. Select the objects to analyse.
2. Click Capture.
3. Review the Material ID list.
4. Inspect usage counts and source information.

Find All Objects Using a Material ID

1. Capture the source objects.
2. Select the Material ID row in the list.
3. Click Isolate ID.
4. Click Unissolate to exit.

Reassign Material IDs

1. Select the Material ID row in the list.
2. Enter the new value in New ID.
3. Click Apply To Select.
4. Refresh the list if required.

Generate Harmonised ID Colours

1. Capture the source objects.
2. Choose a Base Colour.
3. Select a Harmonisation Mode.
4. Click Apply Harmonisation.
5. Review the updated ID colours.

Troubleshooting

Why is the list empty?
Capture a valid object selection before using the tool.

Why does Select by ID not find any objects?
The specified Material ID may not exist within the current source selection.

Why are colours not updating?
Ensure an ID colour has been assigned and Apply has been pressed.

Why is harmonisation unavailable?
Capture source objects first so the tool can identify available Material IDs.