Automating Removal of Holes in 3D Modeling Scene Objects

[venkatesan.sQPF3T]

Hi everyone,

I've been working on a 3D modeling project and encountered a challenge with removing holes(created for nut-bolt connections) from the current scene objects. Since manually closing the holes is the time consuming process, I'm looking for a way to fully automate this process using range parameters. Does anyone have experience or suggestions for achieving this? Expecting options in 3ds max or blender, But I'm open to any software or scripting solutions that could streamline the removal of these holes. Your insights and expertise would be greatly appreciated! 

Thank you in advance.

[RobH2]

There are a few things you can do depending on the topology of the mesh. Can you show a few screenshots and then I can possibly give you some useful techinques? What version of Max?

[venkatesan.sQPF3T]

Hi @RobH2 

Thank you for your interest in helping with the mesh topology. I am willing to learn some useful techniques from you.

I am using the 3ds max 2024 version. Also, I have attached some reference images for the holes in the scene. Please check these reference images and let me know your thoughts.

[venkatesan.sQPF3T]

I have updated the details in the forum post. Please take a look.

[RobH2]

I'll be able to look at this later tonight. I've been away. 

[RobH2]

How much experience do you have with Max and modeling? I ask becasue I can tell you some efficient ways to do what you need using basic modeling techniques. If you are experienced, then you probably already know them. If not, I can describe a few. There is good plugin that caps holes nicely called 'Quad Cap Pro.' You can google it. 

I'm not a coder and I don't know any automated methods. Have you posted in the '3ds Max Programming' forum? There are some supremely talented scripting people there. 

[dmitriy.shpilevoy]

Wonder what would be the rule to detect a hole in this case.

Subscribing to thread, though I suspect solution would be complex math I can't understand.

[venkatesan.sQPF3T]

Thank you for the helpful suggestions. I appreciate you offering to share your knowledge.

In 3Ds Max, a hole is defined as any open edge or gap. In this type of case, it's used for the Quad Cap Pro Plugin, Cap Holes, etc. But in my scenario, it's totally different; it's needed to find and merge the hole with fully connected edges, like in a nut 3D model.

Now, I will try with the 3Ds Max Programming forum in mind and provide assistance with scripting in the future.

[dmitriy.shpilevoy]

If you get a solution please post it or a link to it in this thread.

[RobH2]

One quick way to do it is to subobject poly select the face that all the holes pass through. Detach it and delete it. Do the same for the other side. Now region select all the left over hole sides. Delete. Select the edges of the top face and use 'Cap.' Do the same for the back side. Not automated, but pretty fast until someone figures out a script. 

My first suggestion will remove the left over circles, etc.

Here's a simpler way.  See the attachment. Basically you delete the hole sides and then cap everything. Done. Video is 62 seconds long. Part of it I'm spinning around showing you things. Realistically, you could do the same thing in 30-40 seconds. That's not too bad until you get an automated solution. 

You stated above, "In 3Ds Max, a hole is defined as any open edge or gap." True, so if you need 'open edges' to do some work on an object, sub object select a face that has holes in it and then 'Detach', then all those holes have open edges. Do your work and then 'Attach' it back to together. It's pretty fast. 

[venkatesan.sQPF3T]

Hi @RobH2 

I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for your consistent support on the forum. Your expertise and willingness to help others are truly commendable.  Your mentioned working flow is one of the options, but right now I need to do the process fully automated. If there are any later future cases, I will use this method for working flow.

[RobH2]

I understand. No problem.

Thanks for the complement too. I'll keep on the lookout about this and if I stumble over something I'll find you and reach out.   🙂