Keyboard Shortcuts
thinkingParticles uses a number of keyboard shortcuts to accelerate the overall workflow within the plug-in.
Shift+Alt+P = When the thinkingParticles icon is selected in the Viewport, clicking on this combination of keys will open up the thinkingParticles user interface.
Shift+Alt+O = This set of keys acts as a toggle to turn the entire particle system on or off in the view ports. This has the same effect as if you went to the Master Dynamic DynamicSet controls and turned the particles off.
Shift+Alt+D = Turns debug mode ON/Off
Shift+Alt+A = Brings up the thinkingParticles Analyzer
To learn more about the Right-Click mouse menu options and to learn how to copy and paste nodes within the UI of thinkingParticles CLICK HERE
The following abbreviations are used:
LMB - Left Mouse Button Press
LMB + CTRL - Press Left Mouse Button and Control Key at the same time
RMB - Right Mouse Button Press
MMB - Middle Mouse Button Press
Main thinkingParticles Wire Setup View UI
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Drag + LMB |
Rubber Band selection |
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CTRL + LMB |
Add to the selection of nodes |
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CTRL+ LMB |
Click In Gray Background: Navigate the Wire Setup View (Hand symbol) |
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RMB |
Popup Menu (Remove, Cut, Copy, Paste) |
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CTRL+ RMB |
Rollout Pop Up Menu |
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MMB |
Panning in all directions of the Dynamic Set |
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SHIFT + LMB |
Panning in all directions of the Dynamic Set |
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ALT+Mouse UP/DOWN |
Zooming in and out of the Dynamic Set |
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Drag + LMB + Left ALT |
Rubber Band selection + on release Left ALT Key creates Selection Set with automatic link to Comment node |
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Right ALT + Drag node |
Move nodes Independently of Selection Sets |
Tip:
To move multiple Nodes, use the CTR+LMB and Move multiple nodes with the mouse
Make Dynamic Set
The user interface of thinkingParticles offers a new workflow enhancement function: Make Dynamic Set is a right click menu entry inside of any DynamicSet (click on the background).
With the operators already selected right click into the DynamicSet; then choose Make Dynamic Set this will collect all selected operators and place them into one new DynamicSet missing connections will be automatically re-connected.
Drag Rubber band over any operators in a Dynamic Set and then press the SHIFT key on mouse button release a new DynamicSet with the selected operators is created automatically. Missing connections will be automatically re-connected.
Keyboard Shortcut Override Toggle
thinkingParticles supports the Keyboard Shortcut Override Toggle feature of 3ds Max. Please make sure to turn it on when working with thinkingParticles, it will allow to capture the standard keyboard shortcuts many users are so used to.
It is also important to note that the mouse cursor must be placed inside the DynamicSet work space (grid) to operate the shortcuts on specific Nodes.
Possible keyboard shortcuts are:
CTRL+X : this will cut one or more selected Nodes to the windows clip board
CTRL+C : this will copy one or more selected Nodes to the windows clip board
CTRL+V : this will paste one ore more Nodes from the windows clip board into the active (mouse pointer over grid) DynamicSet.
F2 : will rename a thinkingParticles Node in the tree view without any selected nodes. When node is selected the selected node can be renamed within the DynamicSet
DELETE : will remove the selected Nodes from the active DynamicSet.
D : will toggle the Debug Window On or Off
A : will toggle the Analyzer window
M : toggles the Master Dynamic Set On and Off, this is good for adjusting global tP settings
CTRL+D : when pressed, a new DynamicSet is created
CTRL+G : when pressed, a new Particle Group is created
ALT+C : sets the color of the selected Node(s).
ALT+R : resets the color of the selected Node(s) to default.
E : selected nodes toggle enable/disable
Node Creation Accelerator
A new keyboard shortcut method has been added offering full access to all available thinkingParticles Nodes. By pressing any of the keys listed below a selector box will pop up and present the available nodes to choose from. The nodes available are organized in by their main categories.
In general, pressing the Return key will use and create the selected node from the drop down list. A single left click onto any Node in this list or by using the arrow keys - along with the Return key will create the selected thinkingParticles Node.
Tab : when pressed in a DynamicSet the NCA (Node Creation Accelerator) box to search for ALL Nodes will show up.
G : when pressed in a DynamicSet the NCA (Node Creation Accelerator) box for Group nodes will show up.
C : when pressed in a DynamicSet the NCA (Node Creation Accelerator) box for Condition nodes will show up.
O : when pressed in a DynamicSet the NCA (Node Creation Accelerator) box for Operator nodes will show up.
H : when pressed in a DynamicSet the NCA (Node Creation Accelerator) box for Helper nodes will show up.
B : when pressed in a DynamicSet the NCA (Node Creation Accelerator) box for BlackBox nodes will show up.
DynamicSet Navigation
CTRL+ ARROW UP : moves in the DynamicSet tree view up for every key press
CTRL+ ARROW DOWN : moves in the DynamicSet tree view down for every key press
CTRL+ ARROW LEFT : moves within the DynamicSet tree view to the left of the hierarchy
CTRL+ARROW RIGHT: moves within the DynamicSet tree view to the right of the hierarchy
Node Operations
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LMB |
Click on Title bar selects a node |
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LMB + Move |
Moves the node |
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LMB Dbl. Click |
Title bar double click, collapse/unfolds the connected ports |
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LMB |
On Input and Output square enables additional ports |
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LMB + Drag |
On Port draws a wire |
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Shift + LMB |
On Port, deletes a connection, NO questions asked. |
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RMB |
On Title bar brings up Operator Popup Menu |
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RMB |
On Port brings up Port Pop Up Menu (Invisible, Rename, Remove,Debug) |
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RMB+ALT |
Deletes the selected node from the DynamicSet (without asking) |
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SHIFT+LMB |
On Node Center or Title : Copies the Node(s) |