A small annoying thing with the VFB button

[bildform]

After rendering the VFB usually stay open and is behind the 3ds Max windows.

I often press the VFB button to bring it to the front again but that does not work, when it is already open.
Can it be changed that the VFB will come to the front when clicking the VFB button in the V-Ray toolbar - even when the VFB is arleady open?

I know I could click in the taskbar and that is what I am doing but it just feels a lot more cumbersome and less intuitive.

Bye,
Jan

[andy51]

I just tried render a very simple scene, then went on to edit said simple scene in Max and the VFX stay in front, and the only way I can get it to go away is to close or minimize it. So I closed it.. Pressed the "Last VFB " button on the toolbar and back it came. I tried and tried but couldn't get the VFB to go behind the main max window I can get it to go behind the Render Setup window and the material editor etc, but I have those on my second monitor.. Anyway, when I have completed a render, I usually either save the image, maybe to the history is needed or I just close it and tweak stuff, then hit render again.. much of the time however I like to have IPR running, so Vray is constantly rendering, while I adjust lights, textures etc.. But despite several attempts, I could not get it to vanish behind the main max window. Perhaps it's a problem with newer versions of Max, but I can't replicate it with Max 2014.

[vlado]

Hey Jan,

I have not been able to send the VFB behind the Max window either; can you tell me which 3ds Max and V-Ray version you are using?

Best regards,
Vlado

[bildform]

My mistake, I minimize the VFB and I would like the VFB to maximize when I press the vfb button in the V-Ray toolbar.
So when I press the toolbar Icon the VFB should either open (if it is not open already) or maximize (if it is minimized).

I am so used to minimizing the vfb that overlooked that part. Sorry about that. It is working like andy is describing.

[AlexP]

Yes this would be great, its actually really annoying.

[andy51]

Don't get me wrong, but can you explain why you would want to minimise the VFB, rather than just close it, then press the VFB button to get it back.. isn't either way achieving the same thing

I certainly don't see one way being faster than the other and therefore, I can't really see a reason to add such functionality.

[maxwood]

Don't get me wrong, but can you explain why you would want to minimise the VFB, rather than just close it, then press the VFB button to get it back.. isn't either way achieving the same thing

I certainly don't see one way being faster than the other and therefore, I can't really see a reason to add such functionality.

Not OP but although you're correct and that does makes sense it's probably habit from how Windows works and that most things in Max work a lot faster by minimising rather than closing (render setup is 2 seconds to open, instant to maximise). I doubt most of us are making a conscious decision whether we minimise or close the VFB, the functionality is identical.

I like the idea of maximising the VFB when pressing the button. It doesn't have any downside and makes things marginally easier, I'm not sure why you're against it.

[AlexP]

Not OP but although you're correct and that does makes sense it's probably habit from how Windows works and that most things in Max work a lot faster by minimising rather than closing (render setup is 2 seconds to open, instant to maximise). I doubt most of us are making a conscious decision whether we minimise or close the VFB, the functionality is identical.

I like the idea of maximising the VFB when pressing the button. It doesn't have any downside and makes things marginally easier, I'm not sure why you're against it.

Indeed....

[andy51]

Not OP but although you're correct and that does makes sense it's probably habit from how Windows works and that most things in Max work a lot faster by minimising rather than closing (render setup is 2 seconds to open, instant to maximise). I doubt most of us are making a conscious decision whether we minimise or close the VFB, the functionality is identical.

I like the idea of maximising the VFB when pressing the button. It doesn't have any downside and makes things marginally easier, I'm not sure why you're against it.

I'm not against it at all, just wondering what difference it makes to their workflow, to minimise or to close, the VFB, not other windows, just the VFB. For me they achieve the same thing

You mention maximising it when you press the button. Maximising a window, means you cannot move it around the screen to get access to anything else. Bringing it back into view, in the old days, would mean clicking on the minimize button again and it would come back, to the same position and of the same dimensions as it was when minimised. I think you are confusing minimising a window and maximising it. I think bildform, was wanting to minimise the window then just bring it back as it was, using the VFB button, not actually maximise it to fill the screen and so my original point remains valid, what is the difference between closing the VFB and minimising it... and yes I know people get into habits, some good, some not so good, some even outright dangerous.. but I think you end up with a right old mess, if you start to cater for al habits, good and bad. This is of course my opinion, and again I am not against it I just don't see the logic, in this case, for changing anything...

However I must also point out, that I have three monitors. So VFB uses 1, Max uses 2 and the render setup, mat-editor etc, reference images etc use 3.. but not everyone has that privilege.

[maxwood]

I'm not against it at all, just wondering what difference it makes to their workflow, to minimise or to close, the VFB, not other windows, just the VFB. For me they achieve the same thing

You mention maximising it when you press the button. Maximising a window, means you cannot move it around the screen to get access to anything else. Bringing it back into view, in the old days, would mean clicking on the minimize button again and it would come back, to the same position and of the same dimensions as it was when minimised. I think you are confusing minimising a window and maximising it. I think bildform, was wanting to minimise the window then just bring it back as it was, using the VFB button, not actually maximise it to fill the screen and so my original point remains valid, what is the difference between closing the VFB and minimising it... and yes I know people get into habits, some good, some not so good, some even outright dangerous.. but I think you end up with a right old mess, if you start to cater for al habits, good and bad. This is of course my opinion, and again I am not against it I just don't see the logic, in this case, for changing anything...

However I must also point out, that I have three monitors. So VFB uses 1, Max uses 2 and the render setup, mat-editor etc, reference images etc use 3.. but not everyone has that privilege.

Ah, my fault I didn't actually mean maximise to full screen I was just thinking of the opposite of minimise. In this case it would probably be clearer as "restore up" (from the Windows tool tip when a window is minimised).

It's not really about workflow it's more about user experience, those few seconds where you're clicking the VFB icon and nothing is happening because the window is minimised are obvious to us but could be confusing and frustrating to a new user. It's also inconsistent. Try opening the light lister, minimising and then click the icon again.

[andy51]

Ah, my fault I didn't actually mean maximise to full screen I was just thinking of the opposite of minimise. In this case it would probably be clearer as "restore up" (from the Windows tool tip when a window is minimised).

It's not really about workflow it's more about user experience, those few seconds where you're clicking the VFB icon and nothing is happening because the window is minimised are obvious to us but could be confusing and frustrating to a new user. It's also inconsistent. Try opening the light lister, minimising and then click the icon again.

Oh I totally understand that it's a habit thing. Like when you watch guys speed modelling in Max, they know their shortcuts inside out, whereas I myself and terrible and never really bothered to learn any of them.. and as I say, I have multiple monitors so that idea of minimizing a window, is very rarely something I would consider.. but as I said, closing the VFB, then clicking the VFB button to show it, is from my point of view, just as quick and easy as minimising it and then pressing the VFB button to restore it and while that may not be the case with other windows such as the vray light lister, render setup etc, they aren't the topic of the discussion.. Again I stress that I am not having a go, telling others how they should do things or saying it is a bad idea.. but I for me, whether it's closing and reopening (only talking about the VFB) or minimizing and restoring, it's all the same to me. Still I am sure Vlado can sort it without even blinking and that's what it's all about in the end, keeping everyone happy and keeping Vray where it belongs, at the top

[bildform]

As Maxwood said, it is just a habit. But it is quite a strong habit.
In general it is not a big thing but it would save me a few clicks a day and some irritation when I click the VFB button and then nothing happens, because it is already open and minimized.

Bye,
Jan

[andy51]

I know al about habits, good and bad, when it comes to Max.. I for one, never did get into the habit of learning shortcuts. Being a bad typist, would only mean pressing the wrong key combination and then trying to figure out what the hell I did do hahaha. Anyway, habit or not, I am sure if Chaos group think it is possible and easy enough to put in, they will, after all it won't cause any problems...

Hey maybe they could reprogram the VFB, so the window only has a close button, that would cure it for sure... After all, if minimize is removed the VFB button will always bring it back.