topic Re: Problems with smoothing in 3ds Max Modeling Forum

Problems with smoothing

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 19:16:27 GMT

Hello!

I've been working on modelling some text, and intend for it to have a rounded front and a flat back. The purpose of creating it is to have it made into a real physical model. So far I've made a basic model using a handmade spline which has been extruded/bevelled, but I've run into issues when using NURMS subdivision/turbosmooth. Ideally I'd like it to smooth out the rough geometry in the front whilst leaving the flat backing with a sharp edge, however turning NURMS on for some reason results in the geometry being pulled into the centre.

Either a solution to this problem or a workaround/alternate method for achieving what I need would be very much appreciated! (Also apologies for any incorrect terminology/newbie questions, I'm still fairly new to 3D modelling)

Re: Problems with smoothing

PROH — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 20:12:02 GMT

Hi. There are several different methods to achieve what you want, but most of them won't work with what you've made so far. One method however might work with what you've modeled so far: Apply a "Melt" modifier to your model. In order to make it melt the right way, you may need to rotate you model, so it lies on the "floor". Once you've found the right melt amount, you can collapse the stack.

NB - If "melt" doesn't give the wanted result you could try the "Relax" modifier.

Hope it helps

Re: Problems with smoothing

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 12:07:18 GMT

Sub-division smoothing works best on a quad mesh. An extruded spline will rarely smooth well becausr the front and back faces area single face with many sides.

The best way is to create the text by poly modeling the front face, flat to begin with, in quads. Then add thickness with extrusion in Edit Poly or a Shell mod. Then apply Turbo smooth.

Re: Problems with smoothing

MedalHellWay — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 12:51:50 GMT

I quote Samab...

Re: Problems with smoothing

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 17:47:00 GMT

Thanks for the suggestions! Unfortunately after trying them neither Melt or Relax produce the results I'm after. Is there any way to solve the issues caused when turning on NURMS/turbosmooth as shown in the attachments of my first post? Alternatively what other methods could I use to produce what's needed, assuming I started from scratch and scrapped what I've done so far?

Re: Problems with smoothing

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 17:50:23 GMT

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll try that out next.

Re: Problems with smoothing

PROH — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 17:58:02 GMT

If starting from scratch, I would do as Samab suggest : )

Re: Problems with smoothing

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 15:57:48 GMT

This solution ended up working for me, thanks for all the help!