smvwhite Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 (edited) Just wondering if anyone out there knows of a maxscript for selecting convex edges of an object? I have read that realism is increased when edges of walls/pillars, etc. are given a slight chamfered edge - such chamfered edges in cg renders pick up a highlight as light falls on such non-90 degree edges. As a quick CTRL+A select all is no good as this would include inside edges, eg. where a pillar meets a ceiling, I was wondering if anyone knew of a script that would only select the convex edges of an object? Or am I dreaming? (Selecting the specific edges on a large building is very time consuming). Edited November 2, 2009 by smvwhite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandmanNinja Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 Can you use LOOP or RING? PolyBooster gives you finer control like you're after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smvwhite Posted October 31, 2009 Author Share Posted October 31, 2009 I will check out Polybooster then. I know about loop and ring but this would be across an entire building model. The evermotion rendering competition model was quite a job to select the right edges and with the chamfer command I had to do all selected edges at the same time to avoid strange effects. Thanks for the info. I will revisit loop and ring and see if I can get something happening quicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smvwhite Posted October 31, 2009 Author Share Posted October 31, 2009 Actually, Ring selection on a pillar that adjoins a glass wall (like at the end of a building with an overhang) will select unwanted 'inside' edges - by inside I mean that would join at 90 degrees to the glass. Still looking for a solution - perhaps the only way is selecting every required edge manually? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhorobot Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 we are doing that in autocad with chanfer, but we're getting crazy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smvwhite Posted October 31, 2009 Author Share Posted October 31, 2009 (edited) Yeah ricardo - not for the faint-hearted. I did a test in Maxwell Render of this (comparing with a 90 degree building model) and the subtle difference really boosts the level of realism. So no quick way to select those edges? I might check out lscripts in Lightwave. Edited October 31, 2009 by smvwhite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhorobot Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 smvwhite: tell me please, wich modifier you use to add chanfer in 3d max? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandmanNinja Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 Ricardo: go to Edge Select Mode -> then chamfer in the roll-out Steven: I think you'll find some scripts will get close, but I don't think a script will ever get you 100% there. It can't know what you're thinking. Chamfering edges adds a great deal to the realism and is certainly worth implementing if possible. On mechanical models, I just have to play some soothing music and 'get into the zone' and just select them by hand. Some tricks I use: * switching to LEFT or FRONT or TOP view and MARQUE SELECT (with Window / Crossing toggled off and on) * LOOPING or RINGING to get some/more of what I want and then adding/removing what it doesn't get automatically * selecting some FACES and then holding CONTROL when switching to EDGE mode * ditto for Verts * Use the Named Select Groups as you get edges selected and continue to build on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olhorobot Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 thank you SandmanNinja! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smvwhite Posted October 31, 2009 Author Share Posted October 31, 2009 Ricardo - I used ChamferMadness script on scriptspot. Just search for Chamfer and it will be the fourth one down. Awesome little script. SandmanNinja - thanks for the tips. I will try them out. Did the soothing music thing earlier - nice and relaxing - just can't do a wrong click or else Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandmanNinja Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Ricardo: EdgeChEx is a great script! Google it - it's probably on scriptspot but perhaps not. Another great advantage to using a modifer is that you can turn it off and on and is easier to control. Control Z is your friend... Also helpful is to use the Box instead of chamfering by hand. You can 'preview' how the chamfer will look and any missed edges will be very easy to pick up then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smvwhite Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share Posted November 2, 2009 Some good folks over at cgsociety.org helped out with two scripts. Have tested the first one and works great. http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=98&t=772096 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattclinch Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 that's a great little script. pinching that. 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