Quad draw not drawing

[Anonymous]

So I'm trying to use quad draw, I've been using it to retopolgize a few models, however I'm now just trying to use it to draw a particular shape. And now I'm being told that it requires a live surface or a selected model. I tried  switching cameras, as well as deleting my preference folder, however nothing it working. Any ideas?

Oh I'm also using 2017. I have a Windows 7 (64)bit computer, with an Intel i7 processor, NVIDIA Geforce GTX 970 graphics card, and 16GBs of RAM.

Let me know if you need anymore info. 

[keith112]

Hi,

So why did you delete your preferences?

For creating shapes using polygons I would recommend the Create polygon tool. 

[Anonymous]

Hi, 

I was trying to get the quad draw tool to work. My instructor once mentioned that if a tool if a tool isn't working to try deleting the preferences folder, or at least that is what I remember it has been awhile.

I'm trying to model this hair dryer, and I'm needing to be able to use the quad draw tool to make the fan's shroud.  

[keith112]

Ah okay I guess my confusion was that your comment never said it wasn't working. The quad draw tool does need a live surface to work. So everything you described sounded like it worked perfectly. 

If you're working with an Image plane I would recommend modeling with the Multi-cut tool.

They're are many ways you can go about this. One way is to create a single polygon and use multicut to create your wanted shape or just create a single polygon and keep extruding the edge to get your shape.

Below I just created a single polygon plane and cut into it using the image plane and multi cut tool.

Hope this helps 🙂

[Anonymous]

Oh okay, I apologize for the miscommunication,

has quad draw been changed to always needed a live surface in the latest update? I've used it to create some pretty complex shapes.  Including this.

This I made with 2016. However, I have used the quad draw tool to create similar shapes to the fan;s negative space, a few months ago in 2017.

I'm glad you suggested the multicut tool. I was going to use nurbs than convert that shape into a polygone. 

[keith112]

You're right. I just saw an old video where you could do that. However they must have changed it because it doesn't seem to be possible anymore. Bit of a shame.

[Anonymous]

Dang, that was sort of my go to for complex shapes. Oh well, I guess I'll learn your method. Thanks for the confirmation though! I wonder why they removed that feature. 

[brentmc]

In Update 3 Quad Draw can now work on an existing mesh without requiring a live surface. (which was a commonly requested feature)

To support this new way of working with Quad Draw we removed the ability to just start drawing on the ground plane. However, the workaround is very simple. Just create a poly plane big enough to cover your drawing area and make it live and then you will be able to use Quad Draw like before.

Note: When using Quad Draw without a live surface some features like strips are disabled and you can only drop points in holes or next to an open mesh border. In non-live mode you can also use MMB to move points or dots along their normals.

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Brent

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply! 

I tried using the poly plane work around. It didn't work. However, I think that was because I forgot to put the poly plane into live mode. 

I didn't know what you mentioned with regards to your note were options. Thank you for the additional information, just goes to show I

still have only scratched the surface when it comes to Maya.  

[brentmc]

You're welcome.

When you are happy with the solution please mark the previous reply as solved. (which helps others who encounter the same issue in future)

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Brent