topic How to combine 2 polygons into 1 element in 3ds Max Modeling Forum

How to combine 2 polygons into 1 element

marcel.middendorfZ2LRF — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 11:31:46 GMT

Hello Community,
I would like to know how to combine 2 polygons into 1 element. I am looking for something like "attach". But unfortunately this function does not work.

In the example I have downloaded a stone wall. This wall consists of single stones. But unfortunately the stones are not single elements but only polygons. I want to select all polygons of a stone and combine them to one element.

Or even better for this problem. Choose 2 Elements and combine them to 1.

I think this should actually be quite easy, bit I did not find any instructions online.

Thanks for help

Re: How to combine 2 polygons into 1 element

10DSpace — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 12:52:10 GMT

Hi @marcel.middendorfZ2LRF

To combine selected polygons into a single element select "Detach" and then check "Detach To Element" if you want the new element to remain as part of the object:

"Detach" might seem counterintuitive as a name for this, but used as above it actually means "Make Element". Hope this is helps.

Re: How to combine 2 polygons into 1 element

marcel.middendorfZ2LRF — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 13:52:26 GMT

Thank you very much. Yes I know this function. It detaches the elements to a single object. But within the object those 2 elements are still 2 single elements. I am searching for a solution that makes it just one sinlge element.

Re: How to combine 2 polygons into 1 element

10DSpace — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 14:02:33 GMT

@marcel.middendorfZ2LRF

If you select "Detach to Element" the selected polygons will be a single element. At least they are for me in Max 2022 and every version of max I have used. Below is shot of a single element within an object created by this method.

Re: How to combine 2 polygons into 1 element

marcel.middendorfZ2LRF — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 14:41:06 GMT

Thanks for helping me. Unfortunately its not working with my object. I tried it with a cube, it worked, but not for the object I need

Re: How to combine 2 polygons into 1 element

10DSpace — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 15:34:30 GMT

@marcel.middendorfZ2LRF

Probably that just means that the polygons that you are trying to make into a combined single element are already detached from each other. If they are adjoining polygons and have vertices that overlap, you would need to first weld the verts together so max will not see them as separate elements to begin with. But it is hard to guess exactly what is going on with your model, so if you want more help, post your max file here (Max 2022 or earlier version please) and I will take a look at it.

Re: How to combine 2 polygons into 1 element

marcel.middendorfZ2LRF — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 21:50:26 GMT

Thank you very much. That was the problem. I reduced the vertices and it worked afterwords 🙂