topic Continue spline at the same height in 3ds Max Modeling Forum

Continue spline at the same height

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 19:51:48 GMT

Hi!

Im wondering if there is anyway to continue an existing spline through the same Z coord. I have a lot of splines in different heights wich ill use to create a terrain. Something like this.

The thing is,.. if i use "insert" or "create line" to continue the splines, all new vertex/segment are created at Z = 0 . Forcing me to manually relocate every vertex to the height where they belong. A real pain in the ass.

Is there anyway to tell the new vertex to respect the preexisting spline height?

thx! and srry if my english is poor. It's not my native language. : )

Re: Continue spline at the same height

RobH2 — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 02:23:06 GMT

I wish I had an easy answer for you. Someone might know a way but what I can offer is a possible workaround.

Prepare to draw a new 'Line' and turn on snaps. Set them to 'Edge/Segment' and then click 3 places on your open spline making the 3rd click close the spline. Add an "Edit Poly" to this new spline.

Go to the 'Grid and Snap Settings' and to the 'User Grids' tab. Make sure 'Activate grids when created' is checked "ON".

Click 'Helpers' from the 'Create' panel and choose 'Grid'. Choose 'AutoGrid'. Now click on the triangle poly you created and a custom Grid will be created. Now delete that triangle object and you are left with your original spline. When you draw now it will be on the came 'Z' level.

Reading this it may sound like a lot but it's fast and easy once you do it a couple of times. You create the spline, PolyEdit, Grid it, delete the triangle and draw. It's really that fast once you get used to it. I think it's 1/4 the pain in the butt than the way you are doing it now is. 🙂

Re: Continue spline at the same height

Anonymous — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 11:01:11 GMT

I suppose you could create a grid in the helpers section

Activate the grid as coordinates system with right click over it

Then set the snap as vertex

Now each time you want to select a different spline you need to use the move tool in the grid, snap and move it to the current spline. This can be done in 2 clicks and using a shortcut to deactivate the snap before editing the spline.

Re: Continue spline at the same height

Anonymous — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 19:36:33 GMT

Wow thx!! that really helped mate ^^ didnt even know that custom grids were a thing. i have a lot to learn haha

thx again! 🙂