stupid question alert

[gwb90]

i am currently an autocad modeller and used max for materials/mapping/lighting/cameras + animating, however started modelling in max and struglle with the basics.

 

base example 2 objects rotated by eye. ones a box and ones a line. simple.

 

lets say i know the bax is rotated 23deg + the line 66deg. i am trying to align the box to the line but its not doing it. i relocated the box to the pivot point of the line which i understand. but why isnt it rotating the box to align. i am using the align tab whilst selecting the box then pick the line.

 

i then want to modify the box to create an elevation on the reference co system but that doesnt seem to do anythen when i do PICK.

 

i am confused.

 

easy in autocad move and then rotated using a reference. the create a 3point UCS and and draw an elevation.

 

i know its basic but i have been modelling in autocad for alot of years.

 

cheers for the help

[David Arbogast]

Rotate with a reference point is one of those basic modeling/transform features that perplexingly are missing in Max. AutoCAD has it, Sketchup has it, but not Max. Grrr.

 

So, you'll need to learn how to make accurate rotations using the accuracy tools that Max does provide. Typically, this involves use of either the Transform Type-In dialog [F12] or the transform type-in (my preference) provided at the bottom of the 3ds Max window. In either case, I almost always use the type-in tools in "offset" mode rather than "absolute" mode.

 

So, for example if you are need to rotate an object in plan 74 degrees then: 1. select the object, 2. if the x, y, z type-in boxes don't all read "0", then you're in absolute mode. Click the icon to the left of the "x:" to get into offset mode, 3. Then type 74 (or -74 per your needs) in the Z type-in box and hit return.

 

Another important method of making accurate rotations in Max is set your angle snap to increment that suits your needs (in your case 1 degree increments) and rotate using the gizmos until the dialog reads value you need for your rotation.

 

Do a lot of experimenting with the type-in transform tools as well as using angle snaps combined with rotating object by their gizmos and you should start to get a sense of how to make accurate rotations in Max. From there I would suggest learing about user grids, which you can rotate (using the above methods) and then use the "grid" coordinate system. This would be the 3ds Max equivalent in AutoCAD of rotating your UCS.

 

 

Finally, as a general note, I wouldn't be concerned with the object's pivot point. Rotate objects to your desired rotation value and then just move it to the location you desire.

[gwb90]

thanks for clarifying that point. i was assuming i could align and it would be accurate and no need for guessing.

 

i ended up exporting to autocad and getting the accurate angle from that.

 

thats why i model in autocad.

 

thanks again.

gwb90

[David Arbogast]

thanks for clarifying that point. i was assuming i could align and it would be accurate and no need for guessing.

i ended up exporting to autocad and getting the accurate angle from that.

thats why i model in autocad.

thanks again.

gwb90

Well, apparently I didn't clarify anything. I disagree with your implied assessment that it isn't possible to make your rotation and alignment moves "accurate and no need of for guessing" in 3ds Max. If you interpreted my reply as confirmation of that, then that was a misinterpretation.

 

I model exclusively in 3ds Max, and always do it accurately (to a fault) and never guess at it. Making the rotation and alignment moves that you referenced may require a few more steps in Max than in AutoCAD, but there are plenty of other areas that make modeling in Max so much more efficient for me. And that's why I model in 3ds Max!

 

However, IMO there is nothing wrong with modeling in AutoCAD, if that's the tool that fits you best.

[gwb90]

david,

 

sorry for any misunderstanding on my part. i am altering a model in max which was originally created in sketchup. my original post was a stripped down version of the task in hand.

 

i see the benefits of modeling exclusively in max and providing you are the originator then i see the advantages, its fantastic and easier to do so many things.

 

i come from an architectural background and use autocad 2D and then in 3D. so modeling in max is different.

 

i am just surprised there isn't a an align tool that lets you align an object along a line.

 

thanks again

gwb

Edited March 21, 2011 by gwb90

[Peter M. Gruhn]

There is a 3point align script out there somewhere. Try scriptspot. Says it's by martin@breidt.net in the help dialog.

 

I think I think it didn't work at first but then realized that it's just slow to select points. Or maybe that was a different script.

[gwb90]

Gold Star for Mr. Gruhn.

 

those scripts should be and integral part of the program. i can now rotate things acurately without knowing what the angles are. and now edit + create objects on a custom UCS autocad style.

 

thank you + all the best

 

GWB90

[Peter M. Gruhn]

Something you said made me want to make sure you know about grid helper objects and activating them.

[gwb90]

will read up on that. its all seems different because i am used to autocad.

 

thanks again