Pivot Axis Remapper

Technical Requirements

Description

Pivot Axis Remapper modifies an object’s local pivot orientation while preserving its visible position, rotation and scale.

Many external applications, game engines and CAD workflows require assets to use a specific local axis direction. Rather than rotating geometry to meet those requirements, the tool updates the pivot orientation directly, allowing assets to remain unchanged within the scene while matching the requirements of the target pipeline.

Live RGB pivot previews provide immediate visual feedback, making it easy to verify axis orientation before applying changes.

Typical uses include:

• Preparing assets for Unity, Unreal Engine and proprietary game engines.
• Correcting orientation for animation rigs and control objects.
• Standardising imported asset libraries.
• Aligning CAD and BIM content for downstream applications.
• Ensuring consistent orientation across instanced assets.

Example Use Case: Correcting Asset Orientation for Export Pipelines

A common use case is preparing assets for game engines, real-time viewers, CAD applications or external renderers that expect a different axis orientation than 3ds Max.

For example, a vehicle model may have been created in 3ds Max with its local X-axis pointing forwards, while the target application expects the local Y-axis to point forwards. Using Pivot Axis Remapper, the artist can quickly remap X → Y across one or multiple objects without rotating the visible geometry or affecting the scene layout.

The model remains visually unchanged in 3ds Max, but its local pivot orientation now matches the requirements of the export pipeline.

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

Remaps local pivot axis orientation while preserving visible object transforms.

Pivot Preview

Preview Pivot
Displays the pivot axis preview.

Size
Controls the size of the preview display.

Active Object
Displays the preview on the active object only.

All Selected
Displays the preview on all selected objects.

Axis Remap Presets

X → Y
Maps the local X-axis to the Y-axis.

Y → X
Maps the local Y-axis to the X-axis.

X → Z
Maps the local X-axis to the Z-axis.

Z → X
Maps the local Z-axis to the X-axis.

Y → Z
Maps the local Y-axis to the Z-axis.

Z → Y
Maps the local Z-axis to the Y-axis.

Pivot Transfer

Copy Axis
Copies the pivot orientation from the active object.

Paste Axis
Applies the copied pivot orientation to selected objects.

Reset / Align

Reset Pivot
Restores the pivot orientation.

Align to World
Aligns the pivot to world space.

Align to Object
Aligns the pivot to the object’s orientation.

Center to Object
Moves the pivot to the centre of the object.

Custom Pivot Rotation

Live Custom Preview
Displays custom rotation changes before applying them.

X / Y / Z
Defines custom rotation values.

Apply Custom
Applies the custom pivot rotation.

Reset
Resets custom rotation values.

Typical Workflows

Remap Asset Orientation for Export

1. Select one or more objects.
2. Enable Pivot Preview.
3. Review the current pivot orientation.
4. Click the required remap preset.
5. Verify the new orientation using the RGB preview.
6. Export the asset.

Copy Pivot Orientation Between Objects

1. Select the source object.
2. Click Copy Axis.
3. Select the destination objects.
4. Click Paste Axis.
5. Verify the result using Pivot Preview.

Troubleshooting

The pivot preview is not visible
Enable Preview Pivot and increase the Size value.

The wrong objects are displaying previews
Switch between Active Object and All Selected modes.

The object did not rotate
This is expected behaviour. The tool modifies pivot orientation without rotating geometry.

Paste Axis is unavailable
Use Copy Axis first to store a pivot orientation.

Exported assets are still facing the wrong direction
Verify the forward axis required by the destination application and apply the appropriate remap preset before exporting.