Camera Resolution Mod User Guide

Overview

Camera Resolution Mod is a 3ds Max modifier that allows you to set render resolution individually for each camera. Key features include saving custom presets, locking camera transforms, and defining the active frame for the time slider, giving you full control over camera-based rendering.

Requirements & Installation

Requirements

3ds Max 2010 - 2027

Installation

  1. Unzip the archive CameraResolutionMod.zip.
  2. Copy CameraResolutionMod.mse to the 3ds Max 20xx\stdplugs\stdscripts folder.
  3. The modifier will appear in the modifier list.

Quick Start

  1. Select a camera in the scene.
  2. Go to the Modify panel and apply Camera Resolution Mod from the modifier list.
  3. Set the desired Width and Height values. The render output size will update automatically.
  4. Switch between cameras — each one retains its own resolution independently.
  5. Optionally, save the current resolution as a preset using the Add button in the Custom Presets section.

Interface Overview

Camera Resolution Mod Parameters

The modifier has a single Parameters rollout containing all controls.

Resolution

Controls the render output dimensions and aspect ratio for the camera.

Width
The horizontal render resolution in pixels. Changing Width recalculates the Aspect Ratio automatically, or adjusts Height proportionally if the ratio lock is active.

Height
The vertical render resolution in pixels. Behaves symmetrically with Width — changing it recalculates or preserves the aspect ratio depending on the lock state.

Aspect Ratio
Displays the current width-to-height ratio. When the lock icon to the right is inactive, editing this field adjusts Height to match the entered ratio while keeping Width fixed. When the lock is active, the ratio is shown as a read-only value and the spinner is hidden.

Lock (ratio lock icon)
Toggles proportional constraint between Width and Height. When enabled, changing either dimension automatically recalculates the other to preserve the current aspect ratio. Swap WH is disabled while the lock is active.

Swap WH
Swaps the Width and Height values with each other. Useful for quickly switching between portrait and landscape orientations. Disabled when the aspect ratio lock is active.

/2
Halves both Width and Height simultaneously. If the ratio lock is active, only Width is halved.

x2
Doubles both Width and Height simultaneously. If the ratio lock is active, only Width is doubled.

Custom Presets

Stores and manages named resolution presets, saved persistently to an INI file in the 3ds Max plugin configuration directory. Presets are shared across all scenes and cameras.

Add
Saves the current Width, Height, and ratio lock state as a new preset. The default name is generated automatically in the format Width x Height (e.g. 2560 x 1440). If a preset with the same name already exists, a numeric suffix is appended to keep names unique.

Update
Overwrites the currently selected preset with the current Width, Height, and ratio lock state. Available only when a preset is selected in the list and the Update mode is set to Manually.

Delete
Removes the currently selected preset from the list permanently.

Name field
Displays the name of the selected preset. You can edit it directly and press Enter to rename the preset. If a preset with the entered name already exists, renaming is cancelled and the original name is restored.

Preset list
Shows all saved presets. Click a preset to select it. Double-clicking a preset applies it immediately, equivalent to pressing Apply.

Down / Up
Moves the selected preset one position down or up in the list, allowing you to organize the preset order.

Apply
Applies the selected preset — loads its Width, Height, and ratio lock state into the modifier parameters.

Camera Transform

Controls whether the camera's position, rotation, and scale can be modified in the viewport.

Transform Lock
When enabled, locks all transform axes (position, rotation, scale) on the camera object and its target (if present), preventing accidental movement. When the modifier is removed from the camera, the lock is released automatically.

Move Time Slider

Allows the modifier to control the current position of the time slider when it is active.

Enable
Activates the time slider control. When checked, the time slider is immediately moved to the frame specified in the Frame field. The Frame spinner becomes editable only when Enable is checked.

Frame
Specifies the frame to which the time slider is moved. Accepts negative values. If the specified frame is outside the current animation range, the range is extended automatically to include it.

Update

Determines when the modifier applies its resolution values to the 3ds Max render output settings.

  • Always: The render output size is updated whenever the modifier parameters change or a camera with this modifier becomes the active selection. This is the default mode and works well in most single-camera workflows.
  • Active Camera: The render output size is updated only when the camera with this modifier matches the active viewport camera. Useful in scenes with multiple cameras — resolution is applied only when you are actually looking through that specific camera.
  • Manually: The render output size is never updated automatically. Click the Update button to apply the current resolution values explicitly. Use this mode when you want full control and need to prevent any automatic resolution changes.

Update
Manually triggers the resolution update and refreshes the viewport and Render Setup dialog. Available only when the Manually mode is selected.