modeling - creation in user defined coordinates

[batteryoperatedlettuce]

When I create an object in max - is there a built in way to have it create the object along a user defined set of axis?

 

When I create a rectangle for example, it's edges will lie parralel to the x and y axis.

 

The other day I had to make a model of a building with lots of strange angles and needed to find a way to define the creation axis, to enable me to easily create objects perpendicular or paralell to any face of an object in the scene. I couldn't find anything. I got cross and wrote a script to align stuff for me.

 

in CAD you can easily realign the axis to suit what ever you are drawing. Even basic programs like sketchup have this ability - is there a built in way to do this with 3D studio max.

 

Also are there any scripts out there which do the same job as the "align" command in CAD?

[Scott Schroeder]

You can set up user grids in max. For example if you have a building that has a face at 45 degrees, you can create a grid object in max at that 45 degree angle. When that grid object is activated, any object you create will align to 45 degrees.

 

Rather than type out a whole long drawn out reply, search the max help file for "GRID HELPER" and that should give you everything you need to start.

 

The only funky thing about max grids is going from viewport perspectives. You just have to remember to use GRID, top, left front etc, instead of the normal top left front etc.

 

Hope this helps.

[batteryoperatedlettuce]

That's fine - I'm sure I'll be able to find that. Thanks very much

 

In other news - I'm going to write the autoCAD style "align" command out myself. I'll post it back in this thread when I've finished.

[Virgil Johnson]

Kev

 

Would AutoGrid solve some of your problems?

 

Ted Boardman has some good stuff on RCS (Reference Coordinate Systems) at his video website. (tbmax.com)

 

Virgil

[sonofalion]

I think sb has done that already. It's a script called object 2 spline align. You can find it here:

http://www.3idee.nl

 

Description:

If you want to align objects to a spline created in AutoCAD. Choose an object/group, select two vertices on a spline and the object will be aligned to the spline...Use in top view...

 

Also, there doesn't really have to be a spline to align to, you can just snap to vertices.

 

Apart from that you can also use the Normal Align function in max.

 

Have a good day,

 

Paris