Material IDs Render Elements

Technical Requirements

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Description

Material IDs Render Elements helps artists organise, visualise and manage Material IDs directly inside 3ds Max.

The tool colourises Material IDs in the viewport, making it easy to identify assigned channels and detect missing or incorrect IDs before rendering.

Artists can assign Material IDs across matching materials, isolate specific channels, create MultiMatte Render Elements automatically and export channel reference information for compositing workflows.

Material IDs Render Element is supplied in renderer-specific versions. Each download creates MultiMatte Render Elements compatible with the selected renderer version, including V-Ray and Corona.

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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 three 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

Display

Enables or disables viewport Material ID visualisation.

Enable Material ID Display

Displays Material IDs using colour-coded viewport shading and updates the navigator automatically.

Filters

Controls which objects participate in Material ID visualisation and assignment.

Selected Only

Limits processing to the current selection.

Visible Only

Processes only visible scene objects.

Skip Frozen

Ignores frozen objects.

Skip Hidden

Ignores hidden objects.

ID Navigator

Displays the Material ID channels currently used in the scene.

ID / RGB

Shows the MultiMatte channel assignment.

• 01 – R
• 02 – G
• 03 – B
• 04 – R
• 05 – G
• 06 – B
• 07 – R
• 08 – G
• 09 – B
• 10 – R
• 11 – G
• 12 – B
• 13 – R
• 14 – G
• 15 – B

Clr

Displays the viewport colour assigned to the channel.

Material Name

Displays the first material currently using that Material ID.

Iso

Isolates objects assigned to the selected Material ID for quick channel inspection.

Material ID Tools

Provides Material ID assignment, cleanup and MultiMatte generation tools.

Selected IDs

Displays the Material IDs found on the current selection.

Material ID

Specifies the Material ID to assign.

Assign to Selection

Assigns the specified Material ID to selected objects and matching materials.

Clear Selection IDs

Removes Material IDs from the current selection.

Reset Scene IDs

Resets all scene Material IDs back to zero.

MME Preview

Previews MultiMatte channels directly in the viewport.

• MME 1
• MME 2
• MME 3
• MME 4
• MME 5

Create MultiMatte RE

Creates renderer-compatible MultiMatte Render Elements automatically from the current Material ID assignments.

Save MME TXT

Exports a text report containing the MultiMatte channel assignments and associated material names.

Status

Displays workflow feedback and operation results.

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Typical Workflows

Create Material IDs for Rendering

1. Open Material IDs Render Element.
2. Enable Material ID Display.
3. Select the required objects.
4. Enter a Material ID value.
5. Click Assign to Selection.
6. Review the colour assignment in the viewport.
7. Repeat for additional material groups.

Create MultiMatte Render Elements

1. Verify Material ID assignments.
2. Use the renderer-specific version that matches the active renderer.
3. Click Create MultiMatte RE.
4. Render the scene.
5. Use the generated MultiMatte Render Elements during compositing.

Export a MultiMatte Reference Report

1. Finalise Material ID assignments.
2. Click Save MME TXT.
3. Save the report file.
4. Share the file with compositing or production teams as required.

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Troubleshooting

Material colours are not visible in the viewport

Enable Material ID Display and ensure viewport shading is active.

Isolation buttons are disabled

Material ID visualisation must be enabled before isolation becomes available.

Objects do not receive Material IDs

Ensure objects have materials assigned and are not excluded by the active filters.

MultiMatte elements are not created

Verify that the matching renderer version of the script is installed and Material IDs have been assigned.

Material names are missing from the navigator

Materials must contain valid Material ID assignments before they appear in the list.