several q's

[only3d]

hi 2 u all

 

ive just started working in an office w some differnt habbits of working in max so i have a few q's. some r really basic but i dont know them cuz im used 2 a completely different way of work/ (i model in archicad or ADT and use max mostly 4 rendering)

so.. #1- where the hell is the 'file link manager' in V 6? i know its got 2 b somwhere but i cant find it

#2- why cant i delete objects that i imported from ACAD? i can move it, hide it and so on but cant delete

#3- how can i change the height of a wall AEC object after i created it?

#4- lets say ive made a boolean op' on an object (subtract a sphere from a box), and then made another one on the same object(subtract a cylinder from the box). now if i want 2 change the operands, the sphere is now gone and only the cylinder is available. in short- how can i make multiple boolean ops without losing my control?

 

well i have more but thats enough 4 now

tnx in advance!

[Ricardo Eloy]

#1- Via subscription only. You would find it in the same place as in 7 (File)

#2- If you import it using FLM, the only way to delete is to go to the FLM and Bind/Detach it.

#3- Select its sub-object segment, select the segment you want to change and type the the height you want.

#4- Not sure you can have multiple levels of boolean operands. I mean, a boolean operation depends on the solid you have, so it's quite likely you can't have the control you want. But, if I may, here's a hint: avoid booleans as much as you can. There are several ways you can create the same object, keep control over it and have no problem with the mesh.

[only3d]

Hi Rick & tnx 4 the quick reply!

your tips have been very helpful (besides the 1 on boolean cuz in my situation where i get the model from acad its kinda all that i can do) so while were at it i have a few more q's on the same matter more or less-

#1- how can i add an edge in 'edit mesh' (or do i have to use 'edit poly' 4 that?)

#2- what is the easiest way 2 create 2 separate objects from a source object (like slice)?

 

tnx again.. 'till next time!

[Ricardo Eloy]

#1- you can create new edges using the CUT tool or Slice Plane. But Editable Poly is, imho, definetly the best way to work.

#2- Use slice (either the modifier or the Slice plane option) with SPLIT on.

[only3d]

hi again rick, and tnx again

 

1st- the cut tool is very useful (even more than 'edit poly' i think) and helps me alot. it makes modeling in max easy as sketchup!

 

2nd- i know about the 'slice tool' but when i use it its not really splitting the object in half unless i separate it w 'edit mesh', is that the only way?

 

and 3rd- another little q' if u dont mind.. so..when im creating a 'nurbs' spline i can draw the line while panning around the screen but not when im using the regular spline, is there a solution 4 that?

 

again tnx, and i hope 2 see ur reply soon

[Ricardo Eloy]

Hey, On!

2nd- Well, you probably need to turno it to an editable mesh/poly in order to gain access to the 2 parts you created...

3rd- use your mouse's scroll. Don't push it, simply scroll up and down to use the zoom tool, whic can work almost like pan when you get the grip.

[only3d]

Hi Rick

 

i know wat u mean about zoom in/out especially from my experience w ACAD but 4 som reason it doesnt work like u said.

if i zoom out and back in again it goes back 2 wer iv been before, so m i missing somthing?

 

and yet another q- how do i offset a spline? i know how 2 do it in nurbs but is it possible 2 do the same w a regular spline?

[vertexART]

hey there,

1. zoom/scroll problem I have too when drawing splines, so I guess it depends on the mouse maybe, dunno. Workaround is to 'uncheck' create new shape while drawing and it will all be a part of single spline, then U just go into vertex sublevel and weld those vertices that are separated. hope it makes sense...

2. it's named 'outline', if U 'check' connect option, it will auto connect new segment.

cheers

[Noiré]

as for the boolean question:

 

If you create one boolean and then exit the boolean modifier (make sure the boolean button is no longer active) and then create a new boolean with the first boolean and another object, you will get a stack of booleans that can be endlessly deep, where each of the booleans in it (and their operators) is accessible by opening the hierarchies.

[the.3dsmax.blogger]

and 3rd- another little q' if u dont mind.. so..when im creating a 'nurbs' spline i can draw the line while panning around the screen but not when im using the regular spline, is there a solution 4 that?

 

u can also use the ' i ' keyboard shortcut for interactive pan, while in midst of a spline drawing/editing mode. it shifts the view to bring the cursor to the center of the screen.. almost .. I use it a lot.

 

hope that helps

 

regards

the 3dsmax blogger

[only3d]

hi 2 u all and tnxs 4 all the replies

 

dejan- im familiar with the 'outline' but 4 som reason it comes out alittle crooked wen i use it (as u can see it in the image)

isnt there a way 2 do a nicer offset? (kinda like in ACAD?)

about the spline panning it sounds alittle tidious but 3dblogger's tip really hit the spot! (no effence of course!)

 

noire- wat u said was correct, although i had doubts for my previous attempts

it does work (maybe not so comfortable but it works..) but- now when i do it it makes the object break apart 2 alot of unnecessary segments, so is there a way 2 prevent that?

 

again- tnx 2 all of u's and a happy new year!

[only3d]

hi again guys

i see my thread was kicked back so i thought ill give it a 'refresh'

 

well anyways- about the boolean cleanup i fixed it using 'optimize' but still stuck with the 'offset' problem.

[Noiré]

sorry, I don't think there is any way of controlling the subdivision of max's booleans. If you want better boolean operations, check out power-booleans :

http://www.npowersoftware.com/

[only3d]

i dont have a problem w boolean anymore actually (like i said i solved it using "optimize" modifier. give it a shot it actually works nice)

i do still have a problem w the "outline", so any thoughts?