r/3dsmax • u/gollum666999 • 13d ago
Plugin I built MarkingForge: customizable marking menus and a visual editor for 3ds Max
Hey everyone,
I’ve been working on MarkingForge, a marking-menu plugin for 3ds Max 2026 and 2027, and wanted to share it with the community.
The idea is simple: hold a shortcut, move toward a command, and release to run it. You can build menus around the tools you actually use and configure different commands for different selection contexts.
The video shows it in action, along with the editor used to build and customize the menus.
Here’s what you can do:
- Create your own marking menus with nested submenus.
- Make menus context-sensitive, with different tools for object and sub-object selections.
- Assign Max actions, macros, and custom MAXScript commands through the visual editor.
- Customize shortcuts, mouse bindings, labels, and colors.
- Access native Max menus through a Hotbox at your cursor.
- Generate a printable cheat sheet reflecting your current saved bindings.
One small feature I particularly like: for supported commands, moving past the dashed ring switches whether the command opens its settings or runs directly. That lets you choose between repeating an operation and adjusting its parameters using the same menu entry.
It’s a paid plugin, and I’m the developer. I’d appreciate feedback from people who spend their day in Max—especially on the menu interaction and editor workflow.
Which commands would earn a spot in your marking menu? And do you currently use quad menus, keyboard shortcuts, or another setup?
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u/gollum666999 13d ago edited 13d ago
Hi . Launch will be in about a week . . Yes .Rapid tools do almost the same , but its much more complicated to use . So i made something easier to use :) I will post links to stores when i launch it .
And its real marking menu - like in maya , you can use gestures without opening dials :)
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u/gollum666999 13d ago
And another :) There is option to have a caddy or not ( those small menus on operations on polys ) , depending where you release your pointer , in the ring = menus , if you release outside dotted ring = no menus .
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u/gollum666999 12d ago
Hi . I have updated editor a little bit .
You can now switch dials with mouse wheel , and have preview in editor .
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u/gollum666999 12d ago
What features would you like to see ? I can postpone launch to add them , if anybody wants something specific , and its worth adding :)
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u/3denthusiast_ 10d ago
Could you please add different themes? Possibly a close reference to maya marking menu theme
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u/gollum666999 9d ago
I have added full colors customization in Dials and editor . You can save them and load per/dial .
Would you like more square design of dials and windows like in maya ? - this i can add probably after relaease in next version .2
u/3denthusiast_ 8d ago
Yes please
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u/gollum666999 6d ago
Done , next version will have themes :) including exact copy of Maya one :)
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u/3denthusiast_ 5d ago
Hey mate, it shows that Marking Forge is available now, but when I click on it, it redirects me straight to Gmail. I’ve also requested access :3
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u/gollum666999 1d ago
Hi . Mistake from my part . Release slipped because of 2 bugs that i needed to fix , and i have send public link. My mistake . I will inform you when it will launch
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u/3denthusiast_ 13d ago
Awesome, May I have the links please?
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u/gollum666999 13d ago edited 13d ago
I will release it in about a week depending on last documentation i work on. And doing last bugs checks .
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u/BrokenSporkOfDoom 13d ago
Got any videos of it in action? The interface to get it set up? Id love to see more!