Slide Edge Equivilent/script in Max?
polycounter lvl 14
Maya has a tool called Slide Edge which allows you to select an edge loop or edge and slide it along a surface without changing the silhouette. Max has Constrain by edge/face/normal, which works the same for single edges, but doesn't really work if you have an edge loop on complex geometry, like an edge loop around the letter m for example. The edges get pushed in different directions if there are sharp angles it seems.
Is there a tool or script that would work like Maya's slide edge does for a complex edge loop?
Also, I've noticed that when extruding on an angled surface that has xforms reset, the extrude won't extrude straight down along the face normal like it would in maya, even if normal is set as the extrusion type. Instead, it will extrude along an axis or something like it, so that the trough won't be straight down compared to the face orientation. Any ideas on how to achieve a straight extrude in this situation?
Is there a tool or script that would work like Maya's slide edge does for a complex edge loop?
Also, I've noticed that when extruding on an angled surface that has xforms reset, the extrude won't extrude straight down along the face normal like it would in maya, even if normal is set as the extrusion type. Instead, it will extrude along an axis or something like it, so that the trough won't be straight down compared to the face orientation. Any ideas on how to achieve a straight extrude in this situation?
Replies
Sorry, I tried to make it clear that edge constraint doesn't work for complex edge loops. I'm trying to see if there is anything more advanced, either within max or by script.
Use the "Connect" tool dialog box. Adjust the Slide amount.
The added edge won't affect the silhouette of the object.
Ott, I already have the loop, I'm just trying to move/slide it, not create it.
For example, in this instance, I want to select the red part of the edge loop and slide it closer to the next loop so that there is a consistent gap between them for when it gets turbosmoothed.
Edge constrain doesn't work in this situation because the loop goes around the corner and for some reason or another parts of the edge go crazy when moved.
I tried IC Shape tools, but it didn't seem to work very well. I couldn't select the actual edges that i wanted to move consistently. I use draster, which there are known incompatibilities with, but even with it disabled it didn't seem to use that tool reliably. I couldn't even select the edge I wanted in the example provided, although it worked on simpler ones.
Are graphite tools only in 2010? I'm using 2009.
As far as I can tell with that specific edge selection, moving it any closer to the other two wouldn't change your silhouette anyhow, making it unnecessary in the first place....unless you have some other obstructed cut lines around the back side you are wanting to do this for that we aren't seeing?
I used Slide in Silo all the time, and it's quite lovely. For most purposes edge-constraints work well for me, though.
if its really not happening with constraints i usually either, use a spline that fallows the path i want my loop to fallow, then snap the verts into place, or i use align to view. idk if that helps, all pretty basic stuff but figured id throw it out there. me like screen shots.
http://www.scriptspot.com/3ds-max/scripts/Meshtools-3-with-CSPolyTools
Only drawback is that it moves the whole loop, not a section. Usually thats good enough for my needs. (like, 80% of the time)
Ill look at the extrude problem tonight on my setup, to see if I got the same error. Could you post an example screenshot ?
Hope this helps!!!
EDIT:
Grab it from here.
Nice catch.
You really didn't need to reset xform, that's a bit like using a handgun to kill a fly. Just resetting the scale transform would have fixed it. Hierarchy tab > Reset > Transform/Scale
The reset Xform utility resets the scale and transform just like above but it also re-aligns the local pivot to the world. If you're not familiar with the local pivot its great, very handy and used all the time for animation, so be nice to the next guy down the line and don't jack up something he/she could use.
If you need to reset the scale, just reset the scale.
Why the xform modifier doesn't seem to anything:
The xform modifier allows you to add new Position, Rotation and Scale on top of the existing set without affecting the old transform values. When you collapse the changes are accepted and the old values stay the same.
Xform Modifier Example:
Create box at 100%
Scale the box down 50% In object mode
Apply xform modifier
Scale the box up 200% and collapse
The box still thinks its 50% even though its bigger. Its telling it to not adjust the transform values while you change the actual object.
If you plan to scale in object mode, you should have a xform modifier in the list so the scale transform stays at the original 100% after you scale it up/down and collapse. Or do what most people do and scale in sub-object, or reset scale afterward.
Scaling in object mode is sometimes preferable because it can be based off the objects actual local pivot instead of whatever the pivot point of the selection is.
Scaling in sub-object mode with pivot set to local
Scaling in object mode with pivot set to local.
Hope that helps clear up some of the confusion.