Random Animated Proxy

Description

Random Animated Proxy adds controlled variation to animated proxy assets.

Instead of every animated proxy playing the same animation at the same time, the tool applies randomised timing and transform adjustments to create more natural-looking results.

Typical use cases include animated people, crowds, traffic, trees, vegetation, animals and repeating animated assets.

The tool can also create spline-based motion paths for proxy animation workflows.

Technical Requirements

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.

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

1. Selection Proxies

Loads the animated proxies that will be processed.

Add Selected

Adds the currently selected proxies to the loaded list.

Add All

Adds all supported animated proxies in the scene.

Clear List

Removes all loaded proxies from the list.

Loaded Proxies

Displays all proxies currently managed by the tool.

Auto Set Randomise

Automatically generates randomisation values for the loaded proxies.

2. Randomisation

Controls how variation is applied to loaded proxies.

Offset Frames

Randomises the animation start frame for each proxy.

Seed

Defines the random seed used to generate variation.

Offset Min / Offset Max

Controls the minimum and maximum animation frame offset values.

Speed

Randomises playback speed.

Speed Min / Speed Max

Controls the playback speed variation range.

Scale

Randomises proxy scale.

Scale Min / Scale Max

Controls the scale variation range.

Move

Randomises proxy position.

X / Y / Z

Selects which movement axes are affected.

Move Min / Move Max

Controls the movement offset range.

Rotate

Randomises proxy rotation.

X / Y / Z

Selects which rotation axes are affected.

Rotate Min / Rotate Max

Controls the rotation range.

Mirror

Applies random mirroring to selected axes.

X / Y / Z

Selects which mirror axes are available for randomisation.

Reset to Default

Restores the default randomisation settings.

3. Display and Playback

Controls how animated proxies display and play in the viewport.

Playback Mode

Selects the animation playback behaviour.

• Loop
• Play Once
• Ping Pong
• Still

Viewport Display

Controls the proxy display mode.

• Bounding Box
• Preview From File (Edges)
• Preview From File (Faces)
• Point
• Full Mesh

Apply Playback and Display

Applies the selected playback and display settings to the loaded proxies.

4. Create Spline Motion Path

Creates spline paths that can be used to drive proxy movement.

Target Scope

Defines whether the operation affects selected proxies or all loaded proxies.

• Selected
• All

Pivot to Base

Moves the proxy pivot to the base before generating the spline path.

Group with Motion Path

Groups the proxy with its generated motion path.

Create Spline Motion Path

Generates spline paths for the target proxies.

Delete Spline Motion Path

Removes generated spline motion paths.

5. Actions

Applies or resets randomisation.

Randomise

Generates and applies random values using the current settings.

Reset All

Restores all loaded proxies to their original state.

Typical Workflows

Randomise Animated Crowd Assets

1. Select animated crowd proxies.
2. Click Add Selected.
3. Enable Offset Frames.
4. Enable Speed variation.
5. Adjust the variation ranges.
6. Click Randomise.
7. Review the result in the viewport.

Create Proxy Motion Paths

1. Load the required animated proxies.
2. Open Create Spline Motion Path.
3. Choose Selected or All.
4. Enable Pivot to Base if required.
5. Click Create Spline Motion Path.
6. Adjust the generated splines as needed.

Troubleshooting

Randomise does not affect any proxies

Ensure proxies have been loaded into the proxy list before running Randomise.

Playback settings do not update

Click Apply Playback and Display after changing playback options.

Motion paths are not created

Ensure valid animated proxies have been loaded into the tool.

Reset All does not restore the expected results

Reset only affects proxies that have been loaded and managed by the tool during the current session.