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.

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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.

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Modifier : Surface
Works on: Splines

3ds Max Description : The Surface modifier generates a patch surface based on the contours of a spline network. A patch is created wherever the segments of the interwoven splines form a three- or four-sided polygon. The Surface modifier and the CrossSection modifier, taken together, are referred to as Surface Tools. They allow you to create complex or organic surfaces, like the fuselage of a plane, or a three-dimensional character.

My 2 Cents : Since I model with splines I tend to use the surface modifier often. This modifier is also useful when importing splines from other CAD applications such as Rhino or Autocad. Working with clean curves then applying a surface give you more control as well as cleaner geometry.

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Modifier : Cross Section
Works on: Splines

3ds Max Description : The CrossSection modifier creates a “skin” across multiple splines. It works by connecting the vertices of 3D splines to form a skin. The resulting object is another spline object that can be used with the Surface modifier to create a patch surface. These two modifiers, when used together, are sometimes referred to collectively as “Surface Tools.”

My 2 Cents : Coming soon…..

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Modifier : Shell
Works on: Splines, Meshes, Polys, Patches, NURBS
3ds Max Description : The Shell modifier “solidifies” or gives thickness to an object by adding an extra set of faces facing the opposite direction of existing faces, plus edges connecting the inner and outer surfaces wherever faces are missing in the original object. You can specify offset distances for the inner and outer surfaces, characteristics for edges, material IDs, and mapping types for the edges.

Also, because the Shell modifier doesn’t have sub-objects, you can use the Select options to specify a face selection for passing up the stack to other modifiers. Please note that the Shell modifier doesn’t recognize existing sub-object selections, nor does it pass such selections up the stack.

My 2 Cents : The Shell modifier was added to 3ds Max in release 6, and a far as I know the Shell modifier was written by Peter Watje. Peter’s written many amazing 3ds Max plug-ins and modifiers, I plan to cover some of the plug-ins not integrated into 3ds Max in a later post “Installing free plug-ins” (in particular the “cross section plug-in”).

In this 3ds Max video tutorial we cover the Shell modifier (one of my favorite 3ds Max Modifiers) . I do the majority of my 3d modeling with splines, and the shell modifier is a perfect compliment. I begin with splines then apply an extrude to build working surfaces that I can then apply modeling operations on such as cutting out windows and doorways. Once the Shell Modifier is applied all the edges clean up well. Another aspect of the Shell Modifier that i use often is the ability to select full areas of the new geometry such as “edged” or “outer faces” this is very useful in conjunction with a modifier like Delete Mesh.

Autodesk Video from YouTube:

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