Hide Behind Camera is a utility script for Autodesk 3ds Max that allows you to quickly hide objects that are entirely behind the selected camera or within its near clipping distance. This is especially useful for optimizing your scenes, cleaning up clutter, or improving rendering performance.

The tool supports hiding of the following object types:

• Geometry

• Lights

• Shapes

• Helpers

You can also exclude selected objects from being hidden.

This script is completely free to use. If you'd like to support the author, you can purchase the extended license!

Features

• UI-based camera selection from dropdown

• Object-type filtering using checkboxes

• Optional exclusion list for objects you don't want hidden

• Displays count of hidden objects

• Progress bar for large scenes

• Support for standard cameras, CoronaCamera, and other target-based cameras

• Error handling for invalid selections

💻 How to Use

1. Run the Script

   • Drag and drop the .ms file into the 3ds Max viewport

   • Or run it via MAXScript → Run Script

2. Select a Camera

   • The script will list all target-based cameras in your scene

   • Select one from the dropdown list

3. Choose Object Types to Hide

   • Check or uncheck:

     • Geometry

     • Lights

     • Shapes

     • Helpers

4. (Optional) Exclude Objects

   • Click "Select Objects to Exclude"

   • Pick any objects in the scene you want to ignore

   • These will not be hidden even if they meet the conditions

5. Click “Hide Objects”

   • The script will analyze all visible objects of the selected types

   • If they are entirely behind the camera or within near clipping distance, they will be hidden

   • Progress is shown during the process

6. Result

   • The label will show how many objects were hidden

   • A message will be printed in the MAXScript listener for further debug

7. Clear Excluded List (if needed)

   • Use the “Clear Excluded Objects” button to reset the exclusion list

🔧 Requirements

• A camera with a valid target is required for this tool to work

• For CoronaCamera, ensure that near clipping is enabled for accurate results

⚠️ Notes

• Objects must be fully behind the camera or fully within the near clipping plane to be hidden

• The tool does not affect objects partially behind or intersecting the clipping line

• Excluded objects will never be hidden, even if they match all conditions