Snaps in Max2011

[Jock]

Just upgraded the other day from max 2009 and hitting some snags, mainly to do with snaps.

 

Its a bit difficult to explain but i'll give it a shot.

 

So this is what I would do in max 2009:

I'd have an editable spline, and i always have the 'snaps use axis constraints' ticked. I'd select the vertex in question, then i'd click on the specific arrow i want the vertex to travel in, so say 'y'. Then with endpoint snap on, id simply hover over the vertex, till it snapped then move it whereever i want, but it will only move on the 'y' axis.

 

In Max2011:

I try and do the exact same but whenever it gets to the point where i try and get the cursor to snap to vertex, it never does, it just comes up with a little yellow circle as opposed to say the enpoint symbol. The problem being if i move the vertex with the yellow circle, it immediately disables the snap contraints and now it moves in all directions.

 

So anyone know how to get round this?

 

Hopefully you understand what i'm on about.

 

Thanks

[beestee]

Short answer, with the pivot on the vertex you want to move, just grab and hold the axis you wish to move on and it will work as you are needing.

 

Long answer, Autodesk redid the snaps starting in Max 2011 with no option to revert it back to pre 2011 settings. It is causing problems for many users, and Autodesk has yet to acknowledge that there is actually an issue:

 

http://autodesk.uservoice.com/forums/76763-publicsmallannoyingthings/suggestions/1492847-bring-back-use-axis-center-as-start-snap-point-?tracking_code=b50638925de9f0c1f00da667b698cb3c

 

So we have to re-learn how to use snaps in Max, because if the info in that link above is to be believed, the issue is not even under review despite being one of the hottest topics in uservoice. Evidently Autodesk knows better than all their users who actually rely on these tools in production situations.

[Jock]

Thanks for your help, just need to get used it i suppose is the answer. At least i know now how it works, couldnt quite fathom it yesterday.

[zhopudey]

Axis snaps work if you turn off the transform gizmo (press X). Sometimes you have to toggle the gizmo on-off 3-4 times for it to work. Keep checking if the yellow cross appears over the vertex, or else keeping toggling.