Free

CoolPicker M3D

The classic CoolPicker color picker, revived for modern 3ds Max.

Overview

What CoolPicker M3D does

CoolPicker M3D replaces 3ds Max's color dialog for every color swatch. It is our update of the much-loved CoolPicker 2.3.3 for current versions of Max, with RGB, HSV, CMYK and Lab/YUV sliders side by side, a color mixer and screen color picking.

We added color-management awareness, a compact 50% layout, and a small micro picker that can stay open while you paint.

What it is: Color picker (Customize > Preferences > General > Color Picker)
3ds Max: 3ds Max 2025 and 2027
Works with: Nothing extra.
License: Free

Features

Every model at once

RGB, HSV, CMYK and Lab/YUV/YIQ/YCbCr sliders side by side, with Alpha.

Mixer and picker

Big picker plane, triangle and wheel, and a color Mixer.

Screen picking

Click and drag to pick any pixel on screen.

Color management

Use color management, plus classic gamma correction.

Your ranges

Values as 0-255, 0-100, 0-1.0 or float.

Compact or full

Switch between the 50% layout and full size.

Micro picker

A small floating picker, with a horizontal mode and color variation rows.

Credits

CoolPicker was created by Daniel Rind (v1.0), continued by Chris Johnson (v2.04) and David Baker (v2.3.3). CoolPicker M3D is Machine3D's update of their work for current versions of 3ds Max, with thanks to all three.

Get CoolPicker M3D free

Install M3D Tools, then add it from the Tool Manager.

Download M3D Tools

Machine3D

Plugins and tools for 3ds Max, built and used in production.