Dimension Inaccuracies In Max 9??

[studio2s]

I am completely frustrated trying to use this new version of Max. Right now, my biggest problem is that the dimensions are completely insane.

 

Here is my problem:

My unit set ups are feet w/ fractional inches (1/8") and the system units are inches. I have changed nothing else in this area.

 

My home grid is set to 1'.

 

Using the snaps set to grid points, I make a line with 5 segments in the shape of a G. At this point, I can measure the dimension of each segment, and each will be a whole number (20', 18', etc.) Everything is perfect.

 

I go to the modifier and select the spline selector and select the line. I offset the spline by 4".

 

It would be safe to assume that the dimension of a 20' segment would become 20'8". BUT NO!!! I get a dimension of 20'-7 7/8"

 

I have replicated this error on 3 machines.

 

Someone please help!!

[Brian Smith]

Max does not allow for the kind of accuracy you get with AutoCAD...usually much better than 1/8th but it's possible that your scene is located a good distance away from the origin...at 16million units away (if i remember right), every thing will be no more accurate than to the nearest inch.

[studio2s]

That's just it, there is nothing extraordinary about it. I start at 0,0,0, then 0,20',0....etc.

 

I understand that Max isn't as accurate as Autocad, but come on! You can't tell me that I should lose 1/8" every 10' (I tried it at 10' and lost the 1/8" there as well). I'm not making clockworks here. I'm using whole numbers in a fresh scene. Max 9 is the first time I have experienced this.

 

After a bunch of testing, I have found that if I use decimal inches, I don't seem to lose phantom dimensions. As soon as I turn fractions on, everything gets wacky in. Per a conversation with Autodesk, I have my accuracy to 5 decimal points. This is evident in decimal mode, but it doesn't explain why fractions cause such a mess.

 

I know 1/8" doesn't sound like much, but when you are making a building or complex a block long, you start losing feet, not fractions of inches.

[Hazdaz]

Interesting problem there.

 

My initial reaction was to suggest that you bump your units to 1/16" because maybe there is a rounding error that is occurring.

 

But then I figured I would give it a try and I drew a 10' x 10' spline and then Outlined the line 4". Took a measurement and it came out to 10' 7-15/16" instead of 10' 8". Not good.

 

BUT... then I tried something else. Since I despise feet and inches, especially fractional inches, I flipped it back to decimal inches (no lousy feet). Redrew a 120" x 120" spline, Outlined it by 4" and lo and behold it measures out to the correct 128".

 

Max is not a very accurate program - and it's snapping tools leave MUCH to be desired - but I would avoid the feet and fractional inch Units. Seems that something isn't calculating correctly.

[Nic H]

One of the main problems that exists in the world today is the imperial measurement system.

 

[sterealkey]

Eish boys

 

In my country we use millimeters, centimeters & meters. No problems in Max, she gets it right everytime.

[studio2s]

All I can comment to your imperial vs. metric is that my company does projects all over the world. I just happen to be working on an American project at the moment.

 

I have not tried this test in metric, but I suspect it will be fine as decimal inches. Like I said, if I keep it in decimal inches, I seem to be able to cruise right along. Thanks for trying to replicate my problem.

 

I don't know how the comments about the greatness of metric are any help. I'm not about to convert every measurement and I don't have the ability to change the standards of the countries I work my projects are located. Sorry I missed the point, but thanks for replying and trying to help just the same.