Newbee Modeling Help

[iaga]

Hi All,

 

I have just been trying to get 2 splines to extrude/ morph into each other to create a curved glazing feature and I am having some problems; I have tried a few techniques and they don't work. I have attached the 3ds model. I know this should be really simple and that I'm missing something, but I'm running out of idea's.

 

All the help will be much appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[SandmanNinja]

Hi...

 

I hope I understood you properly.

 

Since they were the same exact shape, I just did a loft.

 

Since they were editable mesh, I converted to an editable poly, deleted one of the objects, then traced the edges, and got a spline that was the shape of the original shape.

 

If you keep it a shape/spline, you can skip the above.

 

Then just go to a side view, snap to grid, drew a straight line the distance that were between the two objects, then lofted the shape to the path of the line I just drew.

 

I included a ZIP file and a screen capture. I have Max 2008, so I hope you can read it.

 

Hope this helps.

[SandmanNinja]

crap

 

I just saw that you have AutoViz.

 

Err... then nevermind.

 

Question: AutoViz writes out .3ds files? Max 2008 read it perfectly.

[Conor Clancy]

SandmanNinja, you can do everything you said in Viz, no problem.

 

C

[iaga]

Thanks All,

 

Much appreciate the help - I'm going to try this method now and let you know how I get on. Thanks Sandman and Hobo.

 

I can't open the max file Sandman as you said, cos I'm using the viz 2008.

 

Can't believe how good this feels to have people like yourself helping like this.

[SandmanNinja]

SandmanNinja, you can do everything you said in Viz, no problem.

 

C

 

Cool - good to know.

 

Does that mean I can now add AutoViz to my resume?

[SandmanNinja]

Thanks All,

 

Much appreciate the help - I'm going to try this method now and let you know how I get on. Thanks Sandman and Hobo.

 

I can't open the max file Sandman as you said, cos I'm using the viz 2008.

 

Can't believe how good this feels to have people like yourself helping like this.

 

Glad to help. This is a very friendly, supportive forum and everyone needs help from time to time.

 

Let us know how you get on.

[iaga]

Sorry people,

 

I can't get it to work, as if you notice from the top view that the spline above is slightly ofset and is slightly tapered, therefore both the splines are slightly different.

 

I tested the previous method and I for some reason cant get it to work with the splines. I have reposted the 3ds file.

 

All help much appreciated.

[SandmanNinja]

Hi...

 

Well, I did another loft of the top and bottom shapes.

I specified the bottom shape be at 0% and the top shape be at 100%.

And it looks like the original image I posted above.

 

The normals are backwards on the top one, so when I did it at first, the shape criss-crossed. So, I flipped them and then it looked fine.

 

Not sure what to tell you. Maybe it's me not understanding AutoViz.

 

There are a few ways to do what you're describing.

 

1) the way I did this time. It will let you have multiple shapes and you can insert them along various percentages along the path. For instance, you can have a straight line for the path, and 2 shapes (circle and ngon). Specify the circle at 0% and the ngon at 100% and it will smoothly morph the 2 shapes. You can have many, many shapes, or use one shape inserted more times than the other (to give it a 'weight' - i.e. favour one shape over the other) Not very tricky and can be very useful for making organic looking objects.

 

2) keep them as editable poly or mesh objects, select the faces, and the bridge.

 

Lofting splines is a very common thing to do in ArchViz work, so if you're a little rusty, grab a tutorial.

 

Sorry I couldn't help.

 

Can you post a screen shot of how it ends up looking on your computer?

[iaga]

OMG!

 

It works! Thanks SandmanNinja! I finally managed to get it working! wohoo! Sorry about the excitement, but I've wasted so much time doing it and now it works!

[iaga]

Just a question out of matter of interest SandManNinja - how did u flip the spline above?

 

i got it working via the convert> editable poly> border> bridge

 

but I'm still intrigued about the spline lofting bit - this is my result from the spline lofting:

[SandmanNinja]

My God! That looks almost just like Max!

 

Hmm... I actually forget now. Clicked, flipped, had a few drinks (it's Friday night here and it's been a heckuva week).

 

Hehehe

 

I'm just glad that you got it figured out.

 

 

Yeah, Bridging is good, too. You can even add twists, squeeze it in the middle, etc.

Every now and then, I take a primitive, convert it to an editable poly, and then just start 'doodling'. Grab a face, extrude, select 2 faces, bridge, hinge from edge, etc.

 

I think it's a good exercise.

[iaga]

the Friday evenings just about to start here - still at work - its 4pm and I feel like I NEED to go home! Gothis project to do which I may post up when I'm done - It's a first for me with 3DS VIz and VRAY.

 

No drinking for me - only the odd cup of CHAI! religion says I can have it in HEAVEN! lol! I'll just have to wait till then I guess a pure wine without losing senses and enjoying the fun!