Helix resolution

[k-ram]

Hello there, I am currently designing a tower and will make extensive use of helixes (plus the sweep modifier). The problem is that the helix primitive does not have too many parameters, resulting in a rather ugly looking stepped and jagged spline. Adding a "normalize spline" modifier does not seem to make the curvature any smoother, it just adds additional verticies between the extisting ones. Any ideas how I can get smooth, high resolution helixes (preferably keeping it parametric)? Thanks a lot, cheers from Knut

[Bruce Hart]

You could loft along the helix spline. This should give you all the tesselation control you need.

[Peter M. Gruhn]

Either you are being more picky than I am or something is wrong. I'm getting adequate resolution from helix. Post a picture?

[k-ram]

Thanks guys, I'm probably quite picky but I need to control the resolution of the spline itself (like you can with most shapes) I guess I need to check if there are any plug-ins out there.

 

Please see http://k-ram.smugmug.com/Other/Max-challenges/15040537_5krmj/

Edited December 12, 2010 by k-ram

[k-ram]

Hi all, a friend of mine found this: http://www.scriptspot.com/blog/crazyosachou/more-usefull-helix-than-3dsmaxs-helix

 

Seems to solve the problem, thanks crazyosachou ... and Nils!

 

Knut

Edited December 13, 2010 by k-ram