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Hide part of an object while modeling?

marcelo_at_the_wheel
Participant

Hide part of an object while modeling?

marcelo_at_the_wheel
Participant
Participant

Hi!

Is there a way of hiding part of an object while modeling?

Suppose I'm working on object A and I have object B visible because I'm using it as a reference for modeling object A. However, object B is big and it's always in the way - I just need a little bit of that big object. I tried using Slice modifier, but as object B was a .step surface model its mesh is completely messed up when I add Slice. Camera clipping planes won't work, because I'm working in orthographic view and it's much more efficient to not depend on a camera view to work.

 

So it would be great to have something like Slice, but didn't change the surface, but rather just hide it (much like the Siemens NX Section View).

 

Any thoughts? 

Thanks!

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Anonymous
Not applicable

Why hiding faces or elements is not an option in your case?

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marcelo_at_the_wheel
Participant
Participant

Hi, thanks for your reply! 

Well, the object is all one piece, and adding a Slice modifier subdivides the surface in a very coarse way - everything's a little bit messed up and it's distracting and not very precise.

 

 

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miledrizk
Advisor
Advisor

Hi,

In the Slice modifier, did you try to change the option "Faces"

Instead of "Polygons" in the "Operate On" section,

It gives better results in many cases

 

slice.PNG

------------------------------------------------------
miledrizk@gmail.com
3DS Max 2025, V-Ray 7
3DS Max user since 2003 (3DS Max 7)
V-Ray user since 2008 (V-Ray 1.47)
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marcelo_at_the_wheel
Participant
Participant

Hi! Yes, tried it, makes minimal difference, I'm afraid.

 

without slice...without slice...

with slice. Notice the subdivisions in the surface.with slice. Notice the subdivisions in the surface.

 

 

If only Max had a neat section view like this, which doesn't affect the geometry:

Image result for siemens nx section view

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Anonymous
Not applicable

When you import the stp format set in the import menu to don't convert to mesh. It will give you an Body Object. Set in his properties fine. Add the slice modifier.

image.pngimage.png

It makes the slices OK, when importing with other settings can give a disaster.

cimage.pngimage.png

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miledrizk
Advisor
Advisor

Well a workaround, that is not so flexible maybe, but it might be

Helpful, is to add an Edit Poly modifier to the object,

And in the Polygon Sub-object level, select all the polygons,

Click the Slice Plane button, in the Edit Geometry rollout,

Adjust the position and rotation of the Plane the way you like it, then click Slice.

Still in the Polygon sub-object level, select all the polys you want to hide

And click Hide Selected from the Edit Geometry rollout.

------------------------------------------------------
miledrizk@gmail.com
3DS Max 2025, V-Ray 7
3DS Max user since 2003 (3DS Max 7)
V-Ray user since 2008 (V-Ray 1.47)
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ads_czechoj
Autodesk
Autodesk

ViewportClippingViewportClipping

You have two options (on .gif):

1. Use the Viewport Clipping

2. Hide selected sub-object

Wip3ou7
Explorer
Explorer

Welp, I never noticed that there. Thank you!

 Hide Sub-Object SelectionHide Sub-Object Selection

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