Convert to Editable-poly mess

[CliveG]

I often get in a mess, working with manufacturers supplied models (for example), that I need to consolidate into one editable poly - for use as a Vray-Proxy.

 

However my issue is that every now and then this conversion into the one editable poly results in the resulting mesh freaking out - usually losing curves and becoming heavily faceted and confused. I'm guessing that this has something to do with a mesh-smooth or turbo-smooth being applied to a primitive and this causing mahem when compressed alongside other primitives without that modifier.

 

But is there a simple way to avoid this (hopefully simpler than trying to explain it!)

 

Cheers

[Cyberstyle]

Any model I get given by any suppliers/manufacturers - I made the decision a long time ago to use them as a template only.

I'm yet to recieve a model that actually works without heavy cleaning up or modifying and usualy the topology sucks.

You never know what program it originaly came from, how many times it's been converted to various file types etc...

 

I've often proved it can be faster to freeze the object and model directly over the top of it producing better results.

You'd be very suprised just how fast the re-model process is when working this way and you get FULL control on the obect.

[CliveG]

You're 100% right of course Paul, the trouble is I am a newbie with Max and some of these models are too complex for my current skills. This will probably be an invaluable way for me to improve my skills over time too, no doubt.

 

But I'd still like to understand what's going on with the conversion to Editable Poly so that I can take steps to avoid it, perhaps even with my own modelling?

 

Any insights with this?

 

Cheers

[simplychen]

are you collapsing the mesh down WIHLE the meshsmooth/turbosmooth display is on as isoline? if that's the case, you'll want to make sure it is only turned on (in case if you want to keep the mesh/turbosmooth modifier) once you have attached the meshes OR make sure you tick off 'display as isoline' option before collapsing. Otherwise, your mesh will get pretty jacked and basically break the mesh.

 

Not sure if this is what's happening, but since you mentioned that you are new to max, this could easily happen without knowing it beforehand. image below to illustrate:

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]45584[/ATTACH]

[CliveG]

Thanks Jerry that looks exactly like my problem... and yep - I had no idea about ticking off the display isoline.

 

Now I know where to look and make some tests.

 

Thanks to both who answered for your help.