Select Similar by Angle

Select Similar by Angle is an interactive polygon selection tool for Autodesk 3ds Max. Select starting faces, then adjust the angle threshold to expand the selection across similarly oriented surfaces.

Features

• Angle threshold: adjust the slider, enter a value, or use a preset.
• Connected only: grow through faces that share edges.
• Same element only: restrict selection to elements containing the starting faces.
• All / Row / Column: select surface regions or follow strips on quad meshes.
• Recursive mode: compare neighboring face normals step by step to follow curved surfaces.
• Replace / Add / Subtract: control how the result combines with the current selection.
• Auto-expand: apply the current settings when selecting faces in the viewport.
• Heavy mesh throttle: optionally limit slider updates to approximately once per second above 50,000 faces.

Row and Column results depend on quad topology and surface orientation. The tool changes face selection without modifying geometry.

Angle Presets

Default angles: 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 30°, and 45°.

• Left-click to apply a preset.
• Right-click to save the current angle.
• Middle-click to restore the default.

Custom presets last for the current 3ds Max session only.

How to Use

1. Install the MZP package through MaxPkg.
2. Select one object and open the Modify panel.
3. Activate an Edit Poly modifier or a base Editable Poly with no modifiers above it.
4. Enter Polygon sub-object mode and select starting faces.
5. Launch Select Similar by Angle, choose the filters, and adjust the angle.

Compatibility

Launch and UI controls checked in 3ds Max 2027.2. The original package declares 3ds Max 2012 as the minimum version; earlier versions have not been verified.

Developer: Sergij Vari. License: Free.