formZ scene with MXS References and Scatter

Using the Reference tool, MXS files may be placed within your formZ project. They will appear as simple proxies in the modeling window, but will be fully rendered in Fire or Maxwell.

References may be formZ objects (or entire scenes) that have been converted into MXS files, MXS files exported by others on your team using a Maxwell plugin for another modeling application, or commercially available MXS assets.

MXS References offer many advantages:

• It is possible to create a library of ready-to-render figures, furniture, and props-- complete with material assignments.

• Static parts of a formZ project can be turned into one or more References. This can conserve memory and increase responsiveness when working with very complex projects.

• A Reference consumes very little memory and disk space, and if set to display as a bounding box, will not degrade viewport performance at all.

• A Reference appears a single object, so it does not clutter the formZ Object list.

• A Reference's materials are not brought into your project, and so do not clutter the formZ Material list.

• MXS Reference objects are duplicated as Instances within the Maxwell scene, reducing memory footprint.
  

Create MXS Tool

Any MXS file can be used as a Reference, including an entire previously-exported scene.

However, the Reference Create Tool makes the process of creating a Reference easier, and affords more control over how the Reference will be subsequently placed.

1. Using the Pick Tool, select the formZ object(s) to convert into a Reference. 

2. Select the Create MXS Tool.

3. In Tool Options, select the desired Reference Origin

4. If using the "Click Point" option, snap to and click on at the desired origin location. If using one of the other Reference Origin Options, click anywhere in the modeling window

Tool Options

    Reference Origin

•  Base of Selection:  The MXS origin will be at the center of all selected objects and the X and Y axes, and at the minimum of all selected objects on the Z axis.

• Center of Selection: The MXS origin will be at the center of all selected objects.

• As Placed in Project: The MXS origin will be at the formZ world origin. This will yield the same result as when exporting with Display>Maxwell Render.

• Click Point: The MXS origin will be at the point clicked upon.

Place MXS Tool

To place a Reference, select the Maxwell Reference tool at the bottom of the Tools palette. (If the Maxwell tools are missing, select Workspace > Reset Workspace from the main menu.)

MXS Reference objects are created with snapping off by default, to avoid placing them on one another.

Tool Options

• Open: Select MXS.

• Delete: Delete MXS filepath.

• Display

  • Bounding Box: for maximum viewport performance and minimum storage requirements

  • Points: Use when alignment or distribution is critical. It is possible to switch between Points and Bounding Box display after creation

• Scale

  • No Scale: Scale will be the same as that of the original MXS (1,1,1)

  • Dynamic: Interactively scale Reference after establishing the base point with the first mouse click

  • Preset: Use preset scale indicated by x,y,z fields

  • Random Uniform: Each mouse click will place a different, uniformly scaled Reference within the range specified by the pair of fields

  • Random Non-Uniform: Each mouse click will place a different, non-uniformly scaled Reference within the range specified by the pairs of x,y,z fields

• Rotate

  • No Rotation: Rotation will be the same as that of the original MXS (0,0,0)

  • Dynamic: Interactively rotate the Reference after establishing the base point with the first mouse click

    • Orientation: XY, YZ, ZX, or Surface Normal. Controls the base plane for the rotation. Also used for the latter two options, below.

  • Preset: Use preset rotation indicated by azimuth and altitude fields

  • Random: Each mouse click with place a different, rotated Reference in the range specified by the pairs of azimuth,altitude fields

• Allow Snap to Previous Placements: When disabled, the snapping attribute will be disabled on placed References. This can be useful when it is necessary to snap to existing geometry, but not desirable to snap to previously placed References.