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Installation  —  IllusionCatalyst 1.1.x

IllusionCatalyst is distributed as mzp archive. It is a renamed zip file to allow 3ds Max to execute commands when run. It can therefore be opened with a file compression software such as Winzip or Winrar. It isn't however needed, since an installation wizard is provided when executing the mzp file in 3ds Max.

How to install IllusionCatalyst
  1. Start 3ds Max.
  2. Go to the menu: MAXScript > Run Script... and choose the file IC_x_setup.mzp, where x is the version number.
  3. A wizard will appear to manage the installation process.
  4. Restart 3ds Max.

How to access IllusionCatalyst
  1. After completing the installation process, start 3ds Max.
  2. Go to the menu: Customize > Customize User Interface...
  3. Choose the Toolbars panel, and select IllusionCatalyst in the drop down list named Category.
  4. OPTIONAL: Create a new toolbar from the right side of the panel.
  5. Drag the IllusionCatalyst Action from the left list to the Main Toolbar on top of the screen, or on the new empty toolbar.
  6. A click on the new button opens the IllusionCatalyst floating panel.

How to uninstall IllusionCatalyst
  1. Start 3ds Max.
  2. Go to the menu: MAXScript > Run Script... and choose the file IC_x_setup.mzp, where x is the version number.
  3. A wizard will appear to manage the uninstallation process.
  4. Restart 3ds Max and delete any button associated to IllusionCatalyst.

How to manually install IllusionCatalyst
  1. Exit 3ds Max.
  2. Open the file IC_x_setup.mzp, where x is the version number, with a program like winzip or winrar. The mzp is nothing but a renamed zip to be run by 3ds Max.
  3. Extract the directory IllusionCatalyst and all its subdirs in the startup script directory: ..\<3ds Max root>\Scripts\Startup.
  4. IC 1.1 ONLY: Extract the content of the directory ui\Icons in the user interface icons directory: ..\<3ds Max root>\ui\Icons.
  5. 3DS MAX 9 ONLY: Open the directory avg_dlx_900. Depending on your 3ds Max installation, open:
    x86 folder for 3ds Max @ 32 Bit
    x64 folder for 3ds Max @ 64 Bit
    and extract the file avg_dlx90.dlx in the plugins directory: ..\<3ds Max root>\plugins.
  6. Start 3ds Max.

How to access IllusionCatalyst
  1. After completing the installation process, start 3ds Max.
  2. Go to the menu: Customize > Customize User Interface...
  3. Choose the Toolbars panel, and select IllusionCatalyst in the drop down list named Category.
  4. OPTIONAL: Create a new toolbar from the right side of the panel.
  5. Drag the IllusionCatalyst Action from the left list to the Main Toolbar on top of the screen, or on the new empty toolbar.
  6. A click on the new button opens the IllusionCatalyst floating panel.

How to manually uninstall IllusionCatalyst
  1. Exit 3ds Max.
  2. Open the startup script directory: ..\<3ds Max root>\Scripts\Startup and delete IllusionCatalyst directory.
  3. IC 1.1 ONLY: Open the user interface icons directory: ..\<3ds Max root>\ui\Icons and delete every file named *IllusionCatalyst*.
  4. Set Windows OS Folder Options to display hidden files and folders.
  5. Open the Local Settings directory: ..\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Autodesk\3dsmax\<3ds Max version>\enu\UI\usermacros (default installation path) and delete every file named *IllusionCatalyst*.
  6. Start 3ds Max and delete any button and shortcut associated to IllusionCatalyst.


Configuration

 IC Wacom Tablet Setup
IllusionCatalyst gives its best paired with a pressure sensitive device like a graphic tablet, since many instruments react to natural strokes. The following configuration takes advantage of the standard 3ds Max shortcuts, the only effort required is to associate the middle mouse button to a pen button.
  1. Open the Wacom Tablet Properties panel in Windows from Start > Programs > Wacom Tablet > Wacom Tablet Properties (default Wacom Driver installation).
  2. OPTIONAL: To change the Wacom Pen setup for 3ds Max only. Start 3ds Max. In the Wacom Tablet Properties panel, at the right of the Application stripe click the "+" button. In the Currently Open Application list select 3dsmax and press OK.
  3. Choose the Pen panel, and select Middle Click in the drop down list associated to the topmost pen button.
  Pan
  Arc-Rotate
  Zoom

Default Viewport Quad Menu
Custom Quad Menu*

Standard Viewport Interaction
Adjust Brush Size while painting
Adjust Brush Strength while painting

* Custom Quad Menu is empty by default and can be used to store IllusionCatalyst actions.

 IC Toolbar Button
After completing the installation process and restarting 3ds Max, it can be created a toolbar button that opens IllusionCatalyst floating panel.
  1. Start 3ds Max.
  2. Go to the menu: Customize > Customize User Interface...
  3. Choose the Toolbars panel, and select IllusionCatalyst in the drop down list named Category.
  4. OPTIONAL: Create a new toolbar from the right side of the panel.
  5. Drag the IllusionCatalyst Action from the left list to the Main Toolbar on top of the screen, or on the new empty toolbar.
  6. A click on the new button opens the IllusionCatalyst floating panel.

Note: IllusionCatalist 1.1

 IC Custom Quad Menu  —  New to IllusionCatalyst 1.1
3ds Max gives the opportunity to utilize an empty Quad Menu called "Custom" that can be invoked by pressing Shift+Ctrl+Right Mouse Button. This is the best available Quad Menu to store IllusionCatalyst instruments.
  1. Start 3ds Max.
  2. Go to the menu: Customize > Customize User Interface...
  3. Choose the Quads panel, and select IllusionCatalyst in the drop down list named Category.
  4. Select Custom [Shift+Ctrl+RMB] in the drop down list on the right side of the panel.
  5. Drag from the Action list on the left the commands needed to the list on the right composing the Quad Menu.
  6. Name each Quad by filling the Label field.
  7. Check Show All Quads to make the Custom Quad to behave like standard 3ds Max Quads.
  8. Experiment.

Note: IllusionCatalist 1.1
Sample Custom Quad Menu setup. It includes IllusionCatalyst actions only, but can be improved by adding standard 3ds Max commands, like Shrink and Grow sub-objects selection, not in the standard Quads either.



 IC Keyboard Shortcut  —  New to IllusionCatalyst 1.1
After completing the installation process and restarting 3ds Max, it can be set a keyboard shortcut that opens IllusionCatalyst floating panel. The process can be repeated to associate more shortcuts to IllusionCatalyst actions.
  1. Start 3ds Max.
  2. Go to the menu: Customize > Customize User Interface...
  3. Choose the Keyboard panel, and select IllusionCatalyst in the drop down list named Category.
  4. Select the IllusionCatalyst Action in the left list.
  5. Click on the textbox named Hotkey, then press the shortcut you want to associate to IllusionCatalyst.
  6. Press the Assign button to set the new shortcut.

Note: IllusionCatalist 1.1