Reset floating window position

solar · Jan 2009

Is there a quick way (perhaps a script) to reset the floating window positions for max (and the same for maya). It can be a right pain in the arse faffing around trying to get the material editor to show up again after you unplug a second monitor.

Mark Dygert · Jan 2009

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows/bring-misplaced-off-screen-windows-back-to-your-desktop-keyboard-trick/
You can use this trick to retrieve windows from off screen. I had the same issue with the material editor, curve editor... and it got them all back.

You can also delete/rename the 3dsmax.ini file and it will reset the window positions. I'm not sure what else it resets since I've always used the above trick. I have no idea why they haven't added a "reset all windows position" option from the main menu.

You can find the 3dsmax.ini file in:
Vista: C:/Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsmax\2009 - 32/64bit\enu
XP:C:/Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Autodesk\3dsmax\

Eric Chadwick · Jan 2009

Just saw this yesterday, might help you.
http://scriptspot.com/3ds-max/reset-windows

renderhjs · Jan 2009

maxini=getMAXIniFile()
		-- MISC:
			setinisetting maxini "DialogResizer_SizeAndPositions" "SelectObjectsDialog" "500 282 838 714"
			setinisetting maxini "DialogResizer_SizeAndPositions" "BatchRenderTool" "35 70 558 711"
			setinisetting maxini "DialogResizer_SizeAndPositions" "BatchRenderProgressTool" "4 61 382 245"
			setinisetting maxini "DialogResizer_SizeAndPositions" "SceneStateSaveDialog" "526 367 753 628"
			setinisetting maxini "DialogResizer_SizeAndPositions" "DwfExporter" "513 270 767 726"
			setinisetting maxini "DialogResizer_SizeAndPositions" "CloneAndAlignTool" "84 99 362 669"
		
		-- MATERIAL:
			setinisetting maxini "MaterialBrowserDialogPosition" "ModalDimension" "174 75 187 745"
			setinisetting maxini "MaterialBrowserDialogPosition" "Dimension" "248 123 115 823"
			setinisetting maxini "MaterialBrowserDialogPosition" "NavDimension" "375 77 542 653"
			
			setinisetting maxini "MtlEditorPosition" "MainWindow" "655 0 368 1024"
		
			setinisetting maxini "MtlEditorPosition" "MagWindow0" "250 410 255 293"
			setinisetting maxini "MtlEditorPosition" "MagWindow1" "260 420 255 293"
		
		-- RENDERING
			setinisetting maxini "RenderProgressDialogPosition" "Dimension" "110 112 379 372"
			setinisetting maxini "RenderVFBPosition" "Position" "412 156"
			setinisetting maxini "RenderDialogPosition" "Dimension" "523 0 457 1023"
		
		-- UTILITIES
			setinisetting maxini "MoreUtilitiesDlgSize" "Size" "781 78 314 418"
		-- LAYER DIALOG:
			setinisetting maxini "LayerDialog" "Dimension" "155 3 578 679"
		-- ENVIRONMENT:
			setinisetting maxini "EnvironmentDialogPosition" "Dimension" "654 32 348 820"
		
		-- XREF:
			setinisetting maxini "ObjectXRefDialogPosition" "Dimension" "420 188 439 619"
			setinisetting maxini "SceneXRefDialogPosition" "Dimension" "427 206 424 583"

JohnnyRaptor · Jan 2009

couldnt u use the nview to put windows on monitor 1 without installing scripts? not sure if it works with child windows but worth a try perhaps..

renderhjs · Jan 2009

well its nice to have a script as it works with basicly all max versions and you dont need to install it. Just open the listerner paste the code select it and hit 'enter' (not return!)

solar · Jan 2009

Thanks guys, although the script doesn't seem to work. Well the windows just stay in the same position.

renderhjs · Jan 2009

you have to open close them,- or restart max.
For example if the material editor is gone hit twice m to make it invisible and visible with the new position- should work

solar · Jan 2009

Thanks! That worked just fine

MentaLDeFect · Jan 2009

Open the window you need to retrieve. (off screen)
Hit Alt + Spacebar to pop up the little minimize/maximize/close thingy.
Minimize it. (it should now be docked at the bottom of the screen)
Drag it up where you want it.
Close it.
Open it again.

mindcandy · May 2009

Another way to solve this:

When you are renaming 3dsmax.ini you will also loose all your other custom settings like user pathes, render options, etc...
To avoid this, make a backup of 3dsmax.ini and then start to edit the original 3dsmax.ini with notepad, wordpad, ...

Each window positions and sizes are stored in the ini file marked with

[windownamePosition]

For Example:

[MtlEditorPosition]
ZoomLevel=1
MainWindow=490 2 367 897

or

[EnvironmentDialogPosition]
Dimension=2240 0 348 780

The first value contains the x-Position of the window.
If it reads 2240 change it to 240 and it will appear on your primary display again.

Do so with every floating panel you are missing and you are back on duty without missing any other customization to 3ds...

Cr · Oct 2013

MentaLDeFect, I love you!

Open the window you need to retrieve. (off screen)

Hit Alt + Spacebar to pop up the little minimize/maximize/close thingy.

Minimize it. (it should now be docked at the bottom of the screen)

Drag it up where you want it.

Close it.

Open it again.

Eric Chadwick · Oct 2013

faster:

1. activate the window.
2. alt space
3. tap the m key
4. tap the down arrow key
5. move your mouse.

though i don't see why programs don't automatically snap offscreen windows, once you disconnect a 2nd monitor.

Reset floating window position

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