3darchitect Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 Ok, I think I have lofts down (kinda...). I'm going to use them to model walls because they have accent bands that run along the whole wall in several places. But, I need to know how to take out sections of the lofted wall for windows and doors. I know that after you convert the wall to an editable poly, the connection between the lofted object and the paths and shapes is broken (right?). So, anyone know? Also, my helps files do not exist in my 3dsmax 8. I just got it brand new today, and there are no help files in the directory (and the tutorials don't work). Help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koper Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 hahaha:D , looks as if im again one of the firts to reply, sorry 1. don't convert the file to editable poly, apply an edit poly modifier ontop of the loft, then as you go back down the modifier stack into the loft max will ask if you are sure, and say yes, sometmes it will mess it up, depending on how tall the stack is, and then you will have to re-think your process, but most of the time it works fine 2. Your help files need to be installed as well, it is part of the installation process and you might not have selected it to be installed. When you master the lofting of walls, please inform me. and another nifty trick, if you selected the path and created the loft by selecting the shape, you can tweak the original shape without even touching the loft object, the loft will update automatically cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy L Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 it seems thats a long way round. Id just use your regular method of creating walls/windows etc. Then, once complete, you can either slice the different banding out of the wall, or use mapping, or even run a loft thrugh the completed wall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3darchitect Posted August 2, 2006 Author Share Posted August 2, 2006 Great - that takes care of the walls (I knew I was just forgetting something). The reason I want to stick to lofted walls for now, is because I'm still in Design and Development with the project, and lofted objects are easier to adapt without redrawing the entire model (well, that's how it looks right now...). And I think I'm just missing something, but where in bloody heck are those help files!! Are they on the installation CD for the program or do I have to take them from a site? I installed the SDK and SDK Help for Visual Studio files, but the help menu in the program still doesn't work... I really need those files too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianzajac Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 All I do is just Boolean the window/door volumes out of the loft. If you ever have a problem, it's probably because of long skinny triangles, which can easily be fixed by adding the Subdivide modifier to the loft before doing the boolean (to make the triangles less skinny). Long skinny triangles make everything in Max iffy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koper Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 go onto your cd, open the 'installs' folder, and youl see a folder named '3dsMaxRefFiles' in that folder youll find a windows installer, and check in the other folder aswell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3darchitect Posted August 2, 2006 Author Share Posted August 2, 2006 Wow - I am so dumb. Sometimes I look way too far into things. I should have known that... thanks though. I appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now