Merricksdad's 2020 NwMax Crystal Cluster Generator

This package includes a maxscript program for use with NwMax/GMax. It takes a collection of crystal shapes and produces a randomized cluster. Any number of shapes can be selected. The package also includes a GMax scene file complete with 29 crystal or geometric shapes.

To use the script, simply download the script. You can place it into your GMax/Scripts/ folder, or anywhere, really it doesn't matter. In GMax you can then select any number of shapes and run this script from the MAXScript>Run Script top menu.

When you run the script, a series of 5 randomized crystal clusters will be produced for each selected shape in the scene.

As an alternative, you can use the function directly in your own MaxScript programs. The maxscript file includes a few useful functions for making aurorabases and a polygon count visualizer (which runs automatically with the script). Simply call the function makeCrystalCluster and supply the following parameters:

• obj (required): the object you want to use as the shape of the crystal cluster
• numToMake (default 1)
• baseSize (default 20 mm): used as a radius for the base of the cluster
• partsInCluster (default 5 to 25): supplied as a 2D point [x,y]. Represents the minimum and maximum number of parts to be used in the cluster
• spreadAngleRange (default 15 to 60 degrees): supplied as a 2D point [x,y]. Represents the angle, down from straight up, which the individual crystals will be rotated

For more details, read the script itself, which is annoted.