bending an imported vector image to surface

[Anonymous]

I am new to 3dsmax and what I want seems very simple to me but I cannot find how to do it.

I have made vector image in AI now I import it into 3ds max. Now I want to 'engrave' this vector into a cylinder. 

However I get problems ofcourse since my vector image is flat and the cylinder is round. is it possible to kind of make the vector wrap around the cylinder without horrible distortion?

I have tried the bend modifier without succes.

[paulneale]

Have you unwrapped the cylinder?

[Anonymous]

ah I forgot the clarify. the cylinder is converted to poly. it just still the shape of a cylinder, the outside at least.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried Shape Merge?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsfJCtQi-YU

[Anonymous]

Also, if Shape Merge isn't what you're after, and your imported lines are converted to editable spline, then you might also look into Itoo software's Glue plugin. A handy utility, it will conform your spline to almost any poly shape surface reasonably well.  It's also free.
http://www.itoosoft.com/freeplugins/glue.php