Random Transform

Random Transform creates controlled variations of selected objects by randomizing their position, rotation, and scale.

It is useful when objects should look naturally different without manually transforming each one—for example vegetation, rocks, furniture, decorations, debris, kitbash elements, lights, or repeated architectural details.

How It Works

Select one or more objects, choose which transform types and axes should be affected, define the allowed Min and Max values, and click Randomize Selection.

Every selected object receives its own random values within the specified ranges.

• Move adds a random positional offset to the current object position.
• Rotate adds a random rotation to the current object orientation.
• Scale assigns an absolute scale percentage instead of repeatedly multiplying the existing scale.

Movement and rotation can use either World or Local coordinates.

All transformations are applied in a single undo operation.

Transform Controls

Move

Move values use the current 3ds Max display units.

Enable any combination of X, Y, and Z axes, then specify the minimum and maximum offset for each active axis.

For example:

• X: -25 cm to 25 cm
• Y: -25 cm to 25 cm
• Z: disabled

Objects will move randomly across X and Y while preserving their current Z position.

Rotate

Rotation values are specified in degrees.

For example, enabling only Z with a range of -360° to 360° creates random horizontal orientation while leaving X and Y unchanged.

This is useful for:

• Trees and plants
• Rocks and ground debris
• Furniture arrangements
• Scatter objects
• Repeated props
• Top-view variations

Scale

Scale values are specified as percentages:

• 100% keeps the original scale
• 90% makes the object smaller
• 110% makes the object larger

Scale is assigned absolutely, so repeated randomization does not progressively shrink or enlarge objects.

Two scale modes are available:

• Uniform — one random value is applied equally to every enabled scale axis.
• Non-uniform — each enabled axis receives an independent random value.

Uniform Scale is ideal for natural size variation. Non-uniform Scale is useful for stretching or reshaping objects.

Axis Controls

Every transform section has independent X, Y, and Z buttons.

• Green means the axis is active.
• Gray means the axis is inactive.
• Inactive axes preserve their current transform value.
• Disabling an entire section hides its axis controls.

This makes it easy to randomize only the properties required by the scene.

Linked Ranges

The chain button links the axis ranges.

When enabled:

• X becomes the editable source range.
• Y and Z copy the X Min and Max values.
• Linked controls are disabled to prevent inconsistent values.

This is useful when several axes need identical randomization limits.

Local Transform

Enable Local Transform to apply Move and Rotate relative to each object’s own orientation.

Disable it to use World coordinates.

Local mode is especially useful for rotated objects that should move or rotate according to their individual axes.

Common Use Cases

Vegetation

Randomize Z rotation, uniform scale, and small X/Y movement to break visible repetition in trees, bushes, grass, and flowers.

Rocks and Natural Assets

Use full rotation with uniform or slightly non-uniform scale to create organic-looking variations from duplicated geometry.

Interior Props

Add subtle positional and rotational differences to books, chairs, dishes, decorations, cushions, and other repeated objects.

Architectural Details

Randomize panels, tiles, facade elements, roof components, or repeated modules while restricting changes to specific axes.

Debris and Clutter

Quickly vary scattered objects such as leaves, stones, trash, fragments, cables, and small accessories.

Kitbashing

Generate multiple variations from duplicated parts without manually editing every object.

Lights and Helpers

Randomize selected light or helper positions and orientations while preserving unwanted axes.

Typical Workflow

1. Duplicate or scatter the objects that need variation.
2. Select all objects to process.
3. Enable Move, Rotate, or Scale.
4. Activate the required axes.
5. Enter the Min and Max ranges.
6. Enable linked ranges when axes should share the same values.
7. Choose Uniform or Non-uniform Scale.
8. Choose Local or World transformation.
9. Click Randomize Selection.
10. Use Undo if another variation is preferred.

Click Randomize Selection again to generate a different result.

Persistent Settings

Random Transform automatically remembers:

• Enabled transform sections
• Active axes
• Linked-range states
• Min and Max values
• Uniform or Non-uniform Scale mode
• Local Transform state
• Window position

Settings are stored in an INI file beside the main script.

Compatibility

Designed for Autodesk 3ds Max 2022–2027.

Author: Lukianenko Vasyl