hard/soft edges when using turbosmooth

[ABK]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm currently working on an organic design similiar to the attached.

As the object will change while designing it I'm looking for a flexable system of modelling.

 

I'd like to set crease values (hard - soft edges) for specific edge groups and be able to go back and edit, delete and add to these edge groups. It is a system i use in softimage|XSI to create a great workflow.

 

I'm not that new to max but have failed to find a similiar in the program. Any ideas anyone?

 

Also, at the moment I'm using editable polys and turbosmooth.

Suggestions for a better solution are very welcome.

 

 

Cheers,

Antony

[SandmanNinja]

Sounds like you're talking about Edge Loops.

 

You select a series of Edges that define where an object bends or curves, and you chamfer it. Toggle Turbo Smooth between 0 and 2 or 3 iterations to see how the Edge Looping is working (whether you need more or less chamfering).

 

It's generally used in organic, 'flowing' objects (people/clothing/armour, cars, Alien 'melty' spaceships, etc).

[Thablanch]

In editable poly, you can also go in Edge mode, and play with the "crease" value ( set it to 1 instead of 0), in the edit edge rollout. This will affect the tension given by a specific edge. Usefull to make sharp creases in a meshsmooth( or turbosmooth) object.

[ABK]

Thablanch, that is exactly what i want to do! should work a treat...

 

Only (i jeeeezzzz, i feel stupid) I can't find the crease values anywhere.

From tutorials i've seen it should appear under 'create shape' in the edit edge menu. Can't see it though.

I've looked into my menu options and nothing.

Any idea where it could be?

[SandmanNinja]

What version of Max are you running?

I think the Crease is fairly new - the method I described will work in any version.

 

Here's a screen shot from 3ds 2009 Design

[ABK]

that was a screen grab from max 2009 design.

 

I've got around the problem by adding additional edges close to each bend but it's not ideal.

 

Also rechecked all my menu options.

 

completely at a loss.

 

hey-ho

 

thanks for the help

[Thablanch]

You need to be in a Editable Poly, and not the Edit poly modifier

Collapse to, and it should work.

 

I think that crease was there as long as I can remember, but I started using it in 3ds7

 

The chamfer method is great, and I do prefer it...

The Crease method will work better in some specific cases, like when you need an extra crisp edge, and will keep the polycount lower.