Shift+Clone is the primary way to duplicate objects in
3ds Max.
To clone an object or selection, hold down the
Shift key and drag during any of the standard transform operations: Move, Rotate, or Scale.
Note: When
Maya mode is active, you can't use
Shift+drag to clone an object. In Maya mode,
Shift+left-click selects or deselects objects, instead.
To Shift+Clone an object:
- On the main toolbar, click Move, Rotate, or Scale.
- Select a transform coordinate system and constraints. Each transform carries its own settings. To avoid surprises, always click the transform button first, and then set your transform coordinate system and constraints.
Note: You can also use the Transform Gizmo to set axis constraints.
- Select the object or set of objects you want to clone. The selection can be a single object, multiple objects, a group, or a sub-object selection.
- Hold down the
Shift key and drag the selection to apply the transform.
As you drag, a clone is created and selected; it is now the object being transformed. The original object is no longer selected and is unaffected by the transform.
When you release the mouse button, the Clone Options dialog appears. Change settings in this dialog or accept the defaults, and then click OK.
Shift+Clone uses the
Clone Options dialog for any transform you choose.
Cloning Without Transforming
Cloning objects with Shift+Clone requires transforming them at the same time, by moving, rotating, or scaling them. In some cases, you might want to clone an object without transforming it in any way. The Edit menu Clone command gives you this option, which lets you create only one clone at a time.
To clone objects without transforming:
- Select the object or objects to clone.
- Choose Edit menu Clone. The Clone Options dialog appears. This is the same dialog used with Shift+Clone except that there's no Number Of Copies setting. The Clone command lets you create only one copy.
- Change settings in this dialog or accept the defaults, and click OK.
Note: The cloned object occupies the exact same space as the original, and is selected when cloning is complete. Use
Select By Name to select the original or reselect the clone.