max7 Snapping has Devolved

[Tim Fairbanks]

At first I just thought it was me...

 

Let me try to explain.

 

When I select an object in max7 and start to move it using a Transform Gizmo (Move, in particular), the object automatically moves to every vertex (etc.) that it finds (frozen, hidden - doesn't seem to matter). The resulting effect is that the object being moved is suddenly flying all over the screen trying to snap to everything, until the mouse button is released. Predictably, the effect of this problem is much more severe as polygon count increases (since there are way more things to snap to).

 

Another apparent anomaly is that there is a notable "lag" between the mouse cursor movement in the viewport, and the object being moved. i.e. the mouse moves, and then the object being moved reluctantly follows behind a short distance.

 

I've tried tweaking snap options in max7 to eliminate the problem, but it persists.

 

I've compared both max6 and max7 running simultaneously on two monitors, using both DirectX 9.0 and OpenGL, with the same result: max6 works flawlessly; max7 is spastic. So the problem doesn't appear to be related to the display driver or even the mouse itself. A colleague of mine is experiencing the same thing, so it doesn't appear to be specific to my hardware configuration or my installation of max. Additionally, my experience with max extends back to 3ds DOS ver.3, so I'm pretty sure it's not due to my lack of facility with the software (maybe I flatter myself?).

 

There are several other problems that I/we have noticed relating to max7 snaps, but for the sake of brevity, I'll refrain from going into detail unless someone needs more specifics.

 

A brief search on this forum didn't return any posts that describe this particular problem, although one thread seemed to describe some related problems, with some input/queries by Mr. Bicalho.

 

max has always had excellent snapping functionality, but it appears to us that discreet has tinkered with something that seemed to working pretty well already.

 

Anyone having similar experience?

 

Any suggestions or solutions?

 

This isn't a major problem, but definitely an irritant that I would prefer to eliminate than live with until the next release.

 

Tim Fairbanks

[abicalho]

Tim,

 

The "Spastic" movement you're seeing is as designed. It's because the Snap Preview Radius is different (bigger) than the Snap Radius. It will only force a "redraw" of the object in the new position when it's close enough to it.

 

As for snapping to "everything" I believe it's because of the default snap radius change. Make both snap radius in R7 the same value they were in R6 (8 instead of 30) and you'll most likely get all that you wanted back.

 

Hope it helps,

[Tim Fairbanks]

Hello, Alex.

 

I was anticipating you might be the first to offer some help with this. The last time you and I "corresponded", we were both members of the 3dstudio group on Compuserve! I appreciate your help, but now have to humbly admit that operator error is the source of the problem, not software changes.

 

After following your suggestion to adjust the Snap Preview/Radius settings with no improvement, I re-searched the forum, and found the "3D Snapping" thread started January 17th that seems to correctly diagnose the problem as being related to having a custom grid activated in combination with 3D snapping.

 

Martin Hargreaves:

3d snaps are a little bit tricky if you have the ‘use axis constraints’ box checked. But 3d snapping becomes REALLY random, with things pinging off into the distance (as you describe), when you have a custom grid still active and the ‘transform co-ordinate system’ set to ‘view’.

 

Perhaps this is the problem.

 

Thanks, Martin!

 

I should have recognized this as the source of the problem. Another one of those "transparent" things that happens with max that conspires to make an experienced operator look like a complete tyro. I opened an old scene I hadn't worked on in 4 months, had a custom grid activated and didn't even realize it.

 

It appears I have been unjust in my condemnation of the new max7 snaps.

 

I'll go over and stand in the corner and sheepishly eat my hat. Excuse me...

 

 

Tim Fairbanks