Parametric Modeling in 3ds Max

[farzad_moshiri]

Hi guys

 

Considering the great possibilities Grasshopper offers for parametric modeling in Rhinoceros, is there any equivalent plugin for 3ds Max for parametric modeling?

 

Thanks in advance

[Corey Beaulieu]

In all honesty... The modifier stack.

 

Max has always been a parametric modeler and if you are savvy at how you model, you can retain everything through the stack and have complete control. The missing element is that you don't get the access to specific values to play off of. For this, you can use the wire parameters and expressions in Max. When your stack is complete, you can then use the Attribute Holder Modifier to build a custom controller and more safely adjust your model.

 

I did a lecture on this if you want to see it:

 

http://www.aaugaboston.com/?cat=10 - It's called "Procedural Modeling with Advanced Modifier Stacks"

 

You can also check out:

 

http://designreform.net/learning/3ds-max - These guys are very clever about how they build their models.

 

In the end, though, there is not a node based editor yet in Max. Thinkbox has one out called Genome that I haven't used yet, but have been interested in: http://www.thinkboxsoftware.com/genome/

Edited July 24, 2013 by CoreyMBeaulieu
grammer...

[Scott Schroeder]

Rail Clone Pro, even the free version, gives you a pretty decent parametric modeling tool set.

[farzad_moshiri]

Thanks a lot

 

But Scott, is the Rail Clone Pro give the user all the possibilities which Grasshopper offers?

I mean the Node structure, scripting workflow, functions such as conditionals, etc.

[Chris MacDonald]

If you want all of that, you need rhino & grasshopper. Railclone is amazing, but the chances of you being able to script it to build a whole building/openings/floor levels, etc is slim to none. I can only think of one other bit of software that will do parametric/procedural modelling and that's Houdini.

[Simon Moir]

http://torabiarchitect.com/parametric-array/ might be of interest. Or Vasari + Dynamo, although not Max, it's free.