Path Deform - (Max2013)

jamiemurphy

Hello, I’ve been trying for a long time how to work out how to make interesting modular assets that snap together very easily without having to align everything manually using the grid. I’ve been reading tutorials/write-ups and two really good ones I’ve found are:

http://www.thiagoklafke.com/modularenvironments.html
http://www.kevinjohnstone.com/Help/Modular Environment Design.rar
Kevin uses the Path Deform tool and I’d really like to know why I can’t seem to get the same results. I’ve tried just about every combination of the options in the PathDeform Gizmo, I’ve tried to change the pivot points which although does seems to make a difference on the Splines i still couldnt work out how to make use of it.
I’ve noticed there is two different PathDeform modifers:
object space and world space, I think Kevin uses the world space one, I’ve tried both and not had much success for even the most basic spline shapes.




I can get them to bend in a similar way but they don't ever seem to keep aligned to the grid at the edges, i also get streching of the geometry which obviously gives streched UVs.
Is it best to use a Box or a Editable-Poly?

I'd love to be able to make the shapes thats shown in picture2, that all snap together like shown. Anyone got any advice on how to use this modifer effectively?

these are some of the attempts i've had, i've even tried to normalise my splines with that modifer that didnt really change anything either.
I realise Kevins tutorial/powerpoint is 4 years old, maybe there is newer ways of getting these results?
Any tips greatly appreciated, thanks in advance

Mark Dygert

I think you want to use BEND modifiers instead, if you want the meshes to deform like they do in Kevin's example.

I'm not sure where the center example came from but that might be where you got the idea for PathDeform.

PathDeform will cause a mesh to travel along a path and conform to it, a bit like a train riding on a track. Typically you use it for things like wire bundles, ammo belts, sidewalks, race tracks, molding or anything that you want to follow a spline.

jamiemurphy

Thanks for the reply, i've used the Bend modifer before but wouldn't know how to get the results in picture2. do you think he would have had to re-uv the meshes? how would you go about making the roof parts using the bend modifer?

this is a screenshot of a few meshes i've made using the bend+twist modifers

Mark Dygert

I think he used two different bend modifiers, that's what I do.

Remember that you can reposition the bend gizmo to get different results, like snap it to a corner or into the center of the mesh. You can also rotate it.

I don't think he changed the UV's after the fact, they appear to use the same texture sheet. There might be some clean up work after the fact but typically I don't touch them.

jamiemurphy

Thanks for your help Mark, i'll keep trying.