Sketch Sandbox Functions in Max

[toms200]

I am a proficient SketchUp user brand new to 3dsMax. I simply want to embed a flat spot in an existing terrain. In Sketch Up this is done with the Stamp Tool. What is the best modifier to accomplish this in Max?

[Corey Beaulieu]

I dont assert to know the best way to do this, but one simple way is to place an edit poly on the object and then selct the verticies around the area that you want to make flat and then hit the "make planar" button for the z axis. It will create a flat spot at the avereage height of all the verticies, but if you hold that selection and move it up or down to where you want it, you can be specific about where it sits.

 

Turbosmooth, Tessallate, and Subdivide are all good, different modifiers to add both a smoothing to the terrain and to add more verticies. Tessalate needs to have the tension set to 0 and then its dealers choice on quads or tris. I do quads when I can.

 

I suppose another Idea would be to boolean subtract a section of the terrain where you want it to be flat. Edit poly will allow a border select for this missing section. If you extrude that down and then selct the newly lowered verts, you can make those planar in the z and the cap the area. The end result will be less of a flat spot on top of the terrain and more of a dug out area into the terrain.

 

Good luck!

[dmv79]

Good advice there. Only if you don't want a completely flat spot, you can select what you whant and scale it down on Z. Having "soft selection" checked either way does the rest of the trick for me.

[toms200]

Thanks. Great info