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Random Selector Tool

Description

The Random Selector tool allows you to randomly select a percentage of objects from a collection. It provides an interactive way to create random selections with reproducible results using seeds, making it perfect for creating variations and random distributions.

Location

  • Side Panel: DAMTools > Random Selector > Interactive Random Selector
  • Pie Menu: DAMTools (Shift+W) > HARD SURFACE > Random Selector

Usage Instructions

Step 1: Launching the Tool

  1. Activate the tool from the panel or pie menu
  2. The tool will initialize with the first available collection and a default 50% selection

Step 2: Parameter Adjustment

Once the tool is active, you can adjust the following parameters:

  • Collection: Shift + mouse wheel up/down to cycle through available collections
  • Percentage: Ctrl + mouse wheel up/down to increase/decrease the percentage (in 5% increments)
  • Random Seed: Mouse wheel up/down to change the seed value, creating different random selections

Step 3: Finalization

  • Enter/Left click: Confirm and keep the current selection
  • ESC/Right-click: Cancel the operation and revert to the previous selection state

Tips

  • The seed value ensures reproducibility - using the same seed and percentage on the same collection will always produce identical selections
  • You can use the panel slider to set a precise percentage before launching the interactive tool
  • The tool only considers mesh objects within the selected collection
  • Empty collections are automatically skipped when cycling through collections

Usage Examples

  • Randomly select objects for variation in material assignment
  • Create random distributions of objects for natural-looking scattering
  • Select a subset of objects for batch operations
  • Create test groups from large collections of objects
  • Generate consistent random selections for animations or simulations

Troubleshooting

  • If no overlay appears, ensure you're in the 3D View when activating the tool
  • If the selection doesn't change when using the mouse wheel, check if the collection contains mesh objects
  • If you need more precise control over the percentage, use smaller increments by pressing Ctrl+wheel multiple times