Curb difficulties

[pauljcox]

Hi all. I'm having trouble creating a curb for a site - it seems that I get myself into this problem every time I do a similar project and end up just fudging my way through it! I was hoping someone might be able to help so that I can do it efficiently for once. I am away from my PC at the moment so I can't provide screenshots, so hopefully I can explain it OK!

 

So I have set up a closed spline for the path of the curb and basically conformed it to the road surface, which is unfortunately uneven in places. I then create a profile for the curb shape, apply a sweep modifier to the spline and presto - curb. But then my problem always comes in creating a 'top' for that curb - the pavement. Since it's an uneven surface, I can't just stick a flat plane on it. Anybody got any idea on how I can make a surface that will fit the uneven curb heights/elevations?

 

I hope I explained that OK - if not then I'll get some screenshots later on

 

Thanks guys

[Claudio Branch]

 

Anybody got any idea on how I can make a surface that will fit the uneven curb heights/elevations?

 

 

It sounds like you are describing a typical island found in a parking lot. If so, then you can create a shape (closed spline) from the back edge of the curb and then convert it to Editable Poly or Mesh.

 

If not, then clarify and I will offer up something else. I do plenty of road modeling...

[Stan Zaslavsky]

i also would look into Loft modifier rather than Sweep - it works well with subdivisions of the Curb path and you can make your path more efficient by subdividing in some spots and keeping it in single subdivisions in other spots.

 

once you have the surface for the back part - make Soft selection your friend - edit poly and then pull and push areas to fit your curb path.

 

hope it helps

[pauljcox]

Thanks guys, for your tips. I'll be trying them out this evening and giving you an update. I really appreciate the advice, gentlemen

[matthewgriswold]

I would convert the road surface to an Editable Mesh. Enter the Edge Sub-Object and scroll down to Select Open Edges. Make sure only the edges you want to become the curb outline are selected and then Detach as Clone-this will ensure the original road mesh remains intact. You now have the appropriately sloped spline to sweep the curb.

You can repeat this process with the same road mesh to create a top/pavement for the curb: Select Open Edges, Detach as Clone and then convert the new spline to an Editable Poly. Enable snaps and move the new mesh up to the top of the curb.

 

Hope this helps, but I didn't have a computer with 3ds Max on it when I typed this. Let me know if I need to clarify...

[Peter M. Gruhn]

This just worked OK.

Make the curb.

Edit Poly

Select an edge loop on the curb where you want the edge of the grass/mulch/whatever to be.

Extract shape. Linear.

Edit Poly.

 

Then I had to doctor it up to be good. Some welding, some vert connects and a quadify.

[pauljcox]

Thanks everyone, for your advice. I did eventually get it working last night - Peter, I ended up using a method really similar to the one you described.

 

Let's say that now, for example(!), I had removed the ground or road surface under curb (as it was created by a CAD draftsmen who wanted to play with 3D for the first time!) and I want to recreate that now? Would I use a similar method, but head outwards instead of inwards, so to speak? This area outside the curb is not as important, as it will mostly be outside of the area that the architect wants to see, but I obviously need it to conform to the shape of the curb.

 

Again I apologize if these questions seem very 'noob', but I've always just fudged this to make it work in the past, and I'm on a much tighter deadline this time. Frankly I'm sick of stressing over it every time this kind of thing comes up! I really appreciate the help you guys offer.

[Jose Negrete]

You might also check these videos out

 

http://www.louismarcoux.com/Videos/Road%20And%20Terrain%20Part%201.wmv

 

http://www.louismarcoux.com/Videos/Road%20And%20Terrain%20Part%202.wmv