Software : Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2009
Description : This is a response to a question on the forum.  The question is 1. How does one snap in 3ds Max and 2. how can one move things dimensionally.  This 3ds Max video tutorials explains both.as well as angle snaps and axis constraints.

Topics Covered
-Snapping
-Angle Snaps
-Axis Constraints
-Absolute World vs. Offset world
-Translations (moving objects) with dimensions

ShareThis

Disclaimer: Just to be clear I am in no way trying to reduce the complexity and elegance of this project.  This project has far more thought than just random slices /patterning in a form. What I am putting forward is a technique with which one could quickly go about modeling a similar pattern in 3ds Max.

Software : Autodesk 3ds Max
Description : I’m going to start this post by saying this is not something I will do regularly but i was compelled in this case to give it a shot .  A user on the forum (This was the first post on the new forum) asked how they might model the new Beijing Stadium by Herzog de Meuron in 3ds Max. The technique shown is meant to be a design modeling technique.  I also have to say it was not completely successful, but i wanted to post an attempt.  A form that resembles the stadium was modeled then sliced randomly to get edges in an editable poly.  Those edges are then chamfered and extracted to then be shelled.  In this video the slice plane is used within the element sub-object level. Thinking about it a bit more the quick slice option might have been more suitable for the exercise. If anyone has a suggestion on how they might go about it (any software) please feel free to post it up. Follow the Forum thread here.

Follow the Forum thread here.

ShareThis

Modifier : Delete Mesh
Works on: Mesh, Poly - All sub objects
3ds Max Description : Delete Mesh provides parametric deletion based on the current sub-object selection level in the stack. The possible choices are faces, vertices, edges, and objects. Apply the Delete Mesh modifier to delete the geometry specified at that sub-object level.

My 2 Cents : The Delete Mesh modifier works well for removing geometry without having to delete. I often use the delete mesh modifier in conjunction with the Edit Poly Modifier or Mesh Select Modifier. Typical examples might be removing faces to place windows or openings in a building skin surfaces. Essentially, the delete mesh allows for non destructive topological changes in geometry. That is not to say once you go back up your modifier stack your geometry will be fine, I’m just saying you have the ability to change deleted faces and see the affect on the resultant geometry. If the geometry is deleted this become a bit more difficult.

ShareThis

Modifier : Bend
Works on: All Geometry Types
3ds Max Description : The Bend modifier lets you bend the current selection up to 360 degrees about a single axis, producing a uniform bend in an object’s geometry. You can control the angle and direction of the bend on any of three axes. You can also limit the bend to a section of the geometry.

My 2 Cents : So…. I do not have to much to say about the bend modifier. It pretty much bends geometry. I tend to use it when i need to model organic object and need to deform an area of a model in a very particular way. Once you get into the sub-objects it’s a pretty handy modifier.

ShareThis

Software : Autodesk 3ds Max
Description : This is the third part of a series in which I will try and go through all the operations that can be done at the sub-object level of the various geometry types in 3ds Max. This 3ds Max Video Tutorial goes over the majority of the procedures that can be done at the vertex level of an editable Mesh. All of the example are simplified to show the fundamentals of each command.

ShareThis