topic Re: Creating new geometry in 3ds Max Modeling Forum

Creating new geometry

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 09:09:23 GMT

Hi, I'm adding detail (more polygons) to a model. In the picture I'm defining the edge of a stone block so I can extrude it. The arrows indicate the edge of the stone block. I wanted to simply draw an edge from one arrow to the other from those vertices I inserted. So far I can't find an easier way to do this than the approach I'm using. I wanted to just draw an edge from one arrow to the other but you can't do that. So what I'm doing is creating the vertices, and then creating new polygons from them. It seems a very innefficient way to do things. Are there any easier ways? Also, if I create polygons using existing vertices, do I end up with duplicated vertices, and if yes, is there a way of deleting them from the model?

monks

Re: Creating new geometry

Steve_Curley — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 09:40:02 GMT

Slice Plane. Select the exising Polys you want to Slice, click Slice Plane, rotate the Gizmo appropriately, position it, click Slice. Job done - new vertices, Edges and therefore Polys created automatically. Or the Cut Tool - click on the top Edge to start and the bottom Edge to end. Again the Vertices, Edges and Polys will be created for you (less accurate unless you're working to the grid and have Snaps on). Really no need to insert vertices first.

Re: Creating new geometry

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 10:26:55 GMT

Thanks, the cut tool works. Strangely though I tried the cut tool last night for hours- literally like 30 times and it didn't work. I don't think I was selecting the polys though first. Must have been the problem.

However...I've got another problem. I've created polygons when I shouldn't have- they now overlap with other polygons. I should have just used the Cut tool. So, I went back to the state of the model before I created the polygons, and now Ithe Cut tool no longer functions. So I 'm back to the initial problem I had last night.

I want to cut from one arrow to the next snapping to those existing edges but it never works (see pic attached). Here's what I do:

Set ther snap to edge.

Select polygon mode

Select Cut tool

Click th4 start point.

Click the finish point

Right click to finish.

What I'm left with is nothing there. Even though there is an undo Cut in the undo menu.

I've also tried selecting the polys I'm cutting before selecting the Cut tool. Still the same.

I've also tried doing the same thing in Edge mode. Nothing ever happens.

What am I doing wrong??

monks

Re: Creating new geometry

Steve_Curley — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 10:39:04 GMT

You don't need to select the polys for the Cut but you do for the Slice (or it will slice the whole model).
Cut can be tricky - if you get the situation you outlined, look around the model in the Perspective Viewport and see if it cut the wrong polys. You can make it a little easier by inserting vertices at the start and end points and snapping to just Vertices when you Cut, or do the Cut in the Perspective VP and move the vertices afterwards if they're not perfectly positioned. And maybe click the intervening edges as well - Cut sometimes doesn't take the obvious route from start to end, so force the issue a bit 😉
That's partly why I suggested the Slice Plane as it only affects selected polys, plus it's adjustable (with a "preview") until you commit it with the Slice button.

Re: Creating new geometry

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 10:50:37 GMT

I honestly think I may have a bug here with Max. I just watched this video here and this is exactly as the cut tool should function.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6J9dTKRVDo

I've used the cut tool a lot before when I went through the Max facades modelling tuts. I've forgotten stuff but I know the basics. This should work and it ain't. Yep, selecting polys and edges before the cut tool isn't necessary. Yes, slice affects the whoel model so I'm avoiding that.

Is it right click to exit the operation or does that cancel it?

//just created a plane and cut that with no probs at all....

monks

Re: Creating new geometry

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 11:23:52 GMT

Cut tool is buggy. Sometimes cuts sometimes doesn't. Not much point in me describing its behaviour in any detail. Maybe in v2014 it's better. Might download that.

In the meantime using quick slice with polys selected works predictably, so I'll go with that. Thanks for the help!

monks

Re: Creating new geometry

ekahennequet — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 20:42:04 GMT

Cut tool only works on edges/vertices/polys that are visible in your view. If they are out of view such as depressed areas with inversed extrusions, they will only cut areas that are seen from the view. The nice thing is that you can orbit your view between your mouse clicks to finish the cut operation in those cases. Also, when nothing happens during Cut, it usually means that you may have overlapping vertices/edges somewhere in the area you're trying to cut. Double check that your vertices are welded in those areas and that you don't have bunched-up, thin poly hidden between the edges. Another case when cut tool does not work is if you have two poly adjacent to each that have open edges. You can check for open edges by selecting all in sub-obj Border mode.

I think of Cut as a 2D cutter that cuts what is visible at any given angle, whereas Quickslice is more like a 3D cutter that cuts through the entire object or selection regardless of visibility in your view.

Re: Creating new geometry

Anonymous — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 12:01:11 GMT

It's possible that I have edges and vertices that are not snapped to each other. Maybe that's creating the problem. I'm more inclined to think it's that, rather than a bug.

monks

Re: Creating new geometry

Steve_Curley — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 12:09:38 GMT

Let's have a look at what you're dealing with. Make a copy of your scene, remove everything except the problem object, then save it. Zip it then attach it to a reply. Could be a bug, could be an issue with the object - difficult to tell without seeing it "for real" 😉

Tip. If you select the edges you're trying to cut from/to before you save, they should still be selected when we open the scene.

Re: Creating new geometry

Anonymous — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 12:22:32 GMT

Hi Steve, well I've pretty much been using the tool with only ocassional problems. But I think those problems are because I had geometry not snapped to other geometry- like overlapping edges. I think it'll be ok for now. If I find I'm hitting a brick wall again I'll upload it. Thanks!

monks