XRef States

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 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.

Rollout Reference

Manage global viewport and render states for detected XRef Scenes.

Get States / Reset States

Captures the current XRef Scene states and enables the management controls.

After states have been captured, the button becomes Reset States and restores all tool-managed overrides.

Viewport States

Colour

Colour-codes XRef content to identify which objects belong to each XRef Scene.

Typical use case: Use when diagnosing scene ownership or understanding which geometry originates from specific XRef files.

XRay

Displays XRef content using semi-transparent viewport shading.

Typical use case: Use when you need to see local scene content behind large XRef assemblies.

Hide

Temporarily hides all detected XRef Scenes.

Typical use case: Use when focusing on local scene content without unloading the XRefs.

Disable

Temporarily disables all detected XRef Scenes.

Typical use case: Use when improving viewport responsiveness while working.

Merge

Merges all detected XRef Scenes into the current scene.

Typical use case: Use when preparing a final delivery scene that no longer requires live XRef links.

Render States

Hide Until Render

Hides XRef Scenes in the viewport and automatically restores them during rendering.

Typical use case: Use when XRefs are not needed while working but must appear in final renders.

Invisible in Render

Keeps XRefs visible in the viewport but excludes them from camera rendering.

Typical use case: Use when testing lighting, composition, or scene alternatives.

Off Until Render

Disables XRefs while working and automatically enables them at render time.

Typical use case: Use when large XRef scenes reduce viewport performance.

XRefs Off

Keeps XRef Scenes disabled in both the viewport and final render.

Typical use case: Use when working on isolated scene variants.

Merge for Render

Automatically merges XRef Scenes before rendering.

Typical use case: Use when render workflows require local scene content rather than live references.

Typical Workflows

Work Faster With Large XRef Projects

1. Open XRef States.
2. Click Get States.
3. Enable Off Until Render.
4. Continue working with a lightweight scene.
5. Start the render.
6. The XRefs are automatically enabled for rendering.
7. The working state is restored after rendering.

Identify XRef Ownership

1. Open XRef States.
2. Click Get States.
3. Enable Colour.
4. Review the viewport colour assignments.
5. Identify which content belongs to each XRef Scene.
6. Disable Colour when finished.

Troubleshooting

Why are the controls disabled?

The tool requires an initial state capture.

Click Get States before using the controls.

Why are the XRefs not appearing in the render?

Check whether Invisible in Render or XRefs Off is currently active.

Why did my XRefs become visible again after rendering?

Render-state modes automatically restore the previous working state after the render completes.

Why is Merge unavailable?

The scene may not contain any detected XRef Scenes.

Can merged XRefs be restored?

No.

Merge is a destructive workflow and should be treated as permanent. Save a backup before merging.