VERTEX NORMAL TOOLKIT for 3Ds Max

Vertex Normal Toolkit. Script for 3ds Max 2012 - 2022 which can edit vertex normals.

It calculates vertex normals based on: topology, using projection gizmo and can project normals from other mesh. Everything is based on layer system.

Every mesh can be divided into up to 7 layers and each 'normal' layer can be calculated independently.

This script supports any topology and any chamfer type including quad chamfer with unlimited subdivisions.

To see it how it works click here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o31PbWjFcs8

to see how it looks like, you may download some examples here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C0AbCpSekni3kXZI8fzeCgZQyOoN7RHR/view?usp=sharing

Documentation link, please read it before You will decide to buy it :

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1aF1QXe7E8LKVIGTvagkP_U7oA04a1_ZJXKy9iI2PuqA/edit#slide=id.p

If you are unsure if this script will serve you well with your meshes, you can send me some example to try it out. I will gladly test it for you for free and send back :)

This script is provided "as is" which means I take no responsibility whatsoever for any damage this script may cause. But because it was tested on people, I don't think it will cause any problems :)

Still I would like to encourage you to make first tests on copies of your meshes / scenes... just in case :)

If you think this script lacks some cool features let me know, I'm open for ideas :)

You can use this script in all your commercial products without any time limit.

All updates are free forever.

Full license available below and inside of script.

Script is not encoded into mse.

To install it, as usual, drag and drop mzp file into viewport and all will be correctly setup. Restart 3DS Max is not required because all scripts will be run at least once, all icons will be refreshed and new macro will be ready to be added to any toolbar.
Macro button can be found under SCG TOOLS category.
This zip file contains one file:

• vnt.mzp

Contact info:

studio@scgstudio.net

polycount topic:
https://polycount.com/discussion/206583/vertex-normal-toolkit-for-3ds-max

This script contains part of great script written by Martijn Buijs.

"My' version of this script has been  improved ( it is ~3x faster than the original ) and half of it was removed due to optimization.

Original code is available here :

http://www.bytehazard.com/articles/vertnorm.html

Optimized version is here :

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1DSB-R1fzR4OdF1R4X_q8SmEeHyycf8xH

LICENCE ( included in script ):

End User License Agreement

This EULA shall apply only to the software products supplied by Adam Wrotek aka SCGStudio.

Use of the software

• One license grants the right to perform the installation of the Software according to the license type when purchased.

• Each additional installation of the Software above the bought limit requires an additional purchased license.

• You can use this software UP TO limit of licenses You have purchased. So if You bought 5 licenses You can use them on literally 5 computers.

Making Copies

You may make copies of the Software for back-up purposes, provided that you reproduce the Software in its original form and with all proprietary notices on the back-up copy.

Restrictions

• Modify, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble (except to the extent applicable laws specifically prohibit such restriction).

• Reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, modify, translate, make any attempt to discover the source code of Software, or create derivative works from Software.

• Copy the Software (except as specified above).

• Rent, lease, transfer or otherwise transfer rights to the Software.

• Remove any proprietary notices or labels on the Software.

Technical Support

Technical support is available primarily through emailing Adam Wrotek ( studio@scgstudio.net ).

It is possible to make an on-line direct contact. Adam Wrotek can provide direct support, however it needs to be followed by e-mail contact first.

TERMINATION

The license will terminate automatically if you fail to comply with the limitations described above. On termination, you must destroy all copies of the Software and Documentation.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

This Software is provided on an "AS IS" basis, without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability,

fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement of intellectual property of any third party. This Software has inherent limitations including design faults and programming bugs.

The entire risk as to the quality and performance of the Software is borne by you, and it is your responsibility to ensure that it does what you require it to do prior to using it for

any purpose (other than testing it), and prior to distributing it in any fashion.

Should the Software prove defective, you agree that you alone assume the entire cost resulting in any way from such defect.

ADAM WROTEK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY CHARACTER INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF GOODWILL,

WORK STOPPAGE, COMPUTER FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION, OR ANY AND ALL OTHER COMMERCIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES.

This disclaimer of warranty constitutes an essential and material term of this agreement.

If you do not or cannot accept this, or if it is unenforceable in your jurisdiction, then you may not use the Software in any manner.

Title, ownership rights and intellectual property rights in and to the Software shall remain to Adam Wrotek. The Software is protected by international copyright treaties.

ver 1.29

• fixed startup error known in 1.28 ( update from 1.26 was needed )
• no need to update from 1.26 / 1.28 anymore but it is possible if needed
• hard edges support for gizmo projections, smoothing groups are ignored. Previously there was an error if vertex normals count was higher than vertices.

ver. 1.28

• 8th layer added ( hard to explain why I didn't add it earlier, really )
• some UI / usability fixes and improvements, some icons adjusted for future VNT version(s)
• no more material slots in use
• using single material scene only to preview layers colors
• BUGS ! discovered but not fixed :
• second layer ( usually green ) was using bit 27th. Looks like this bit is in use by edit poly modifier.
  • repro :
    • select at least two meshes, one of them must have a VNT setup
    • and must use 2nd layer. Do nothing with them, convert to poly.
    • pick mesh with VNT setup and you will get 2nd layer empty
    • with a notification "select non assigned polygons".
    • pressing this button will select exact polygons as those assigned to 2nd layer.
      So yeah, this has been NOT fixed, but I have moved this "bad" bit to 8th layer.
      2nd layer is using "new" one - 25th bit and 8th one is using 27th.
      this problem will be still possible to recreate but this time not that much I guess
      as any of Your beautiful meshes was not using 8th bit in VNT setup.
      no other bits are affected by this issue. If you find any, let me know.
      there is no reason to remove it as one more layer may become useful
      just remember about this issue. If this is Your "day breaker" do not use 8th layer.
• there is a problem with symmetry modifier. When applied mesh will have some serious problems with layers and some faces will be excluded from any layer. Hard to say why it is like that but looks like symmetry modifier is using bit 25th for faces for some reason( max documentation is saying something opposite O_o ) and I need to investigate why it is like that. If symmetry is your daily use modifier, please use version 1.26.
• broken backwards compatibility with old VNT setup has been fixed
• vnt.ini moved from #plugCFG to vnt install directory : getDir #userScripts + "\\vnt\\vnt.ini"
  • this way, if You are using custom script folder ( to keep it in case of max reinstall ) all settings will be preserved.
  • old vnt.ini file is still at previous location :
    • getDir #plugCFG + "\\vnt.ini" use this command to get old vnt.ini file.
• this and every next version of VNT will be NOT compatible with old vnt.ini settings.

ver. 1.26

• in projection mesh mode there was a chance to redirect normal which was not belonging to selected layer, it was possible to get this bug when mesh has reset normals and "Generate Normals" button was pressed.