Max Creation Graph Editor Menus

In addition to the editor menu bar, this topic covers the right-click menus in the Max Creation Graph editor window.

Standard Menu: Scripting menu > New Max Creation Graph / Open Max Creation Graph / Max Creation Graph Editor > menu bar
Enhanced Menu: Script menu > Script > New Max Creation Graph / Open Max Creation Graph / Max Creation Graph Editor > menu bar

Interface

File menu

Provides commands for saving and loading files with Max Creation Graph (MCG). Compatible file types include:

MCG Tools (*.maxtool): A standard MCG graph.
MCG Compounds (*.maxcompound): An MCG graph that is contained in a single node called a compound. Compounds are present in many categories in the Operator Nodes list; their names are in purple text to distinguish them from standard nodes.
You can save any graph as a compound and then use the compound to simplify your graph layouts.
MCG Package Files (*.mcg): An MCG graph that is normally installed directly into 3ds Max, bypassing the MCG interface. For example, installing a graph that uses a modifier-type output creates a new entry in the Modifier List on the Modify panel.

New: Opens a new, untitled tab with an empty graph. To name the tab, save the graph to a file.
Open: Opens a file dialog for choosing as Max Creation Graph file to open.
By default, the dialog lists all MCG Tool (.maxtool) and MCG Compound (.maxcompound) files. To limit the list of files to either type, choose the type from the file type drop-down list to the right of the File Name field on the dialog.
Merge: Opens a file dialog for choosing an MCG tool or compound file to open, combining it with the current graph.
Save: Stores the current graph as an MCG tool or compound file. If the file is unsaved, first prompts you for a file name.
Save All: Saves the contents of all open graph windows in separate files, using the existing file names. For any graphs not yet saved, prompts you in turn for the file name of each.
Save as: Opens a dialog for saving the current graph an MCG tool or compound with a different name.
Package Max Creation Graph: Opens a file dialog for saving the current graph as a packaged software component (.mcg file) that any user of Autodesk 3ds Max 2017 or later can install and use. Attempts validation of the tool and prints the result in the Message Log window.
Install Max Creation Graph: Opens a file dialog for loading and installing an MCG package from a .mcg file. After you open the file, it appears in the program interface in the appropriate category. For example, if the graph Output node is the geometry type, the tool appears on the Create panel, ready for usage.
Recent Files: Opens a submen listing recently opened files. Choose an item from the list to reopen the file.

Edit menu

Cut: Removes selected nodes and places them in a buffer for pasting. Cutting a group node has no effect on any of its member nodes.
Copy: Copies selected nodes to a buffer for pasting.
Paste: Adds cut or copied nodes to the graph.
Delete: Removes selected nodes. Deleting a group node has no effect on any member nodes.
Clear: Deletes all nodes from the current graph.
Select All: Selects all nodes in the current graph.
Select None: Deselects all nodes in the current graph.
Select Invert: Selects all unselected nodes and deselects all selected nodes in the current graph.
Show Search Menu: Opens a dialog for finding nodes by name at the mouse cursor location. Enter part of the name you're looking for from the keyboard, then click its name in the list to add it to the graph. Keyboard equivalent: X
Show Graph Properties: Opens the Graph Properties dialog for entering properties of the graph and information for prospective users. This information stays with the graph when you package it for use by others.
List Dependencies: Displays in the Message Log window any external graph components that are required for proper functioning of the graph. These are typically compounds, which can be nested.
Use this to determine which compounds you need to include when you transfer a graph to a team member.

View menu

Zoom Extents Selected: Adjusts the magnification level of the graph window so all components are visible.

Build menu

Evaluate: Checks the current graph for valid construction, and if successful, adds the output to the 3ds Max interface and prints the results in the Graph Editor Message Log window.
Validate: Checks the current graph for valid construction, and prints the results in the Graph Editor Message Log window.
View MAXScript: Opens the MAXScript output from the current graph in a MAXScript Editor window.
Evaluate All Tools: Checks all open graphs for valid construction, and if successful, adds the output to the Procedural Content and prints the results in the Graph Editor message log window.

Operators menu

Reload Operators: Loads the current definitions of all operators from their files. Do this to ensure all operators are up to date.
Tip: You can also use Reload Operators as a shortcut for collapsing all operator categories in the Operator Nodes list.

Windows menu

These commands are also available by right-clicking the window label of any of these three windows.

Available Nodes/Operators: Toggles the Available Nodes/Operators window.
Operator Description: Toggles the Operator Description window.
Message Log: Toggles the Message Log window.

Right-click menu - Above Main Graph Window

These commands are available by right-clicking a window tab above the main graph window. Also available when you right-click an empty area beside the window tabs are commands for docking the tabs to any side of the graph window.

Create New View: Adds a new graph window with its own tab.
Save: Saves the graph belonging to the tab you right-click to the existing file. If no file exists yet, you're prompted for a file name.
Save As: Opens a file dialog for naming and saving the graph belonging to the tab you right-click.
Open Containing Folder: Opens a Windows Explorer file dialog to the folder that contains the .maxtool file for the graph whose tab you right-clicked. The file name is highlighted.

Right-click menu - Main Graph Window

Tip: To add a comment to a group node, double-click its background and then enter text from the keyboard.

Disconnect Edge

Deletes the wire connection you right-click. Available only when you right-click a wire connector.

Tip: You can also delete wire connections by selecting them and then pressing Delete.

Open Compound in New Tab

Opens the graph of the compound node you right-click in a new window. Available only when you right-click a compound node.

Tip: Use this to examine and modify the inner workings of a compound node.

Change Background Color

Opens a dialog for choosing a new color for a group node's background. Available only for group nodes.

Fit to Content

Resizes a group node to fit snugly around its constituent nodes. Available only for group nodes.

Auto Fit to Content

When on and you rearrange nodes in a group, or add or remove nodes, the group node automatically changes size to accommodate its members. When off, the group node still auto-fits if you expand the overall member nodes' area, but not if you reduce it.

This toggle available only for group nodes, and is local to each group node.

Open Compound in New Tab

Creates a new tab in the graph editor and copies the Compound's graph into it. Available only when you right-click a Compound node in the graph or Available Nodes/Operators list.

Use this for examining or modifying a Compound node. If you modify the node, you'll need to save it under a different name.

Select All

Selects all nodes in the current graph.

Select None

Deselects all nodes in the current graph.

Select Invert

Selects all unselected nodes and deselects all selected nodes in the current graph.

Select Children

Selects all nodes connected directly or indirectly (through other nodes) to any of the selected nodes' inputs.

Deselect Children

Deselects all nodes connected directly or indirectly (through other nodes) to any of the selected nodes' inputs.

Select Tree

Selects all nodes connected directly or indirectly (through other nodes) to any of the selected nodes' connectors.

Delete Selection

Deselects all selected nodes.

Cut

Removes selected nodes and places them in a buffer for pasting. Cutting a group node has no effect on any of its member nodes.

Copy

Copies selected nodes to a buffer for pasting.

Paste

Adds cut or copied nodes to the graph.

Lay Out All

Arranges all nodes in the graph neatly.

Lay Out Children

Arranges neatly all nodes connected directly or indirectly (through other nodes) to any of the selected nodes' inputs.

Create Group Node

Creates a bounding box as a "container" around all selected nodes. If no node is selected, creates a freestanding group node.

You can move all contained nodes by moving the group node. When you move grouped nodes toward the edge of their group, the boundaries expand to fit automatically. If you turn on Auto Fit To Content, the group node resizes as necessary when you drag contained nodes in any direction. When Auto Fit To Content is off, you can resize the group node directly by dragging a corner or edge, or indirectly by moving a contained node toward the group node's edge.

When you drag operator and group nodes onto a group node, the "target" node highlights to indicate that it will receive the dropped nodes.

To add or edit a description of a group, double-click the background of the group node. If no description exists, this creates a one-line text editor at the top of the node inside a dotted line into which you can enter text from the keyboard, or paste text (with Ctrl+V) cut or copied from another source. If a description already exists, double-clicking the background of the group node opens it for editing.

Remove Selected from Group

Converts selected nodes to "freestanding" status. You can then move them into other group nodes.

Generate Inputs

Creates and wires new Input nodes for all non-function input connectors of selected nodes. Each new node is of the appropriate type for its connector: Any, Boolean, etc.

Generate Parameters

Creates and wires new Parameter nodes for non-function input connectors of selected nodes for which compatible Parameter nodes exist: Int32, Boolean, etc.