Hammer's Alt+RMouse Equivelant in 3ds Max?

CoffeeCrazy

Trying to get some creative freedom in moving and reshaping roads to get a small city layout going. However, since I don't have a base design for the city, things may need to be changed a lot.

If you've ever used Hammer, the Alt+RMouse command allows you to select an already textured face, and then Alt+RMouse any other face which will align that texture to the one selected before it. It's hard for me to explain it, this video might help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=2m1zXWsfU9I#t=663s

I'm basically looking for an equivalent in 3ds Max. It doesn't have to be just as easy, as long as it works. Or perhaps you have an idea how to do what I'm trying to do.

Help is very much appreciated!

.morph3us

i would go into the uvw unwrap modifier, select all the faces and relax them.
maybe you need to realign it to the texture properly, afterwards...

CoffeeCrazy

xXm0RpH3usXx wrote: »

i would go into the uvw unwrap modifier, select all the faces and relax them.
maybe you need to realign it to the texture properly, afterwards...

That's exactly what I'm trying to avoid, using the uvw unwrap editor. I can do what I want through a lot of work in it, but every time I have to change the length, subdivisions, or shape of a road, I don't want to go back and re-texture it all over again.

I'm looking for help to simplify the process. I'm hoping such a way exists and looking for help in that regard. I do appreciate your post though!

.morph3us

if i got you right, i think what you want to look into is modularity.
as depicted here: http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117004

so basically you wouldnt model all parts over and over again, but just put them together to a roadsystem.
tell me if i'm wrong, though...

shawnolson

This is one of the very few features I like in Hammer. I had started building a function for this some time ago... but I only got as far as the texture lift/drop ... but the texture coordinates required a lot more math than I personally like.

It turns out that I ran across a plugin recently that has this functionality (and more). It has quirkiness but is probably the closest thing you'll get at the moment.

PolygonMap

Unfortunately, all the videos are in Russian or have no sound. I am actually collaborating with the developer to create an English speaking video for the plugin.

Even with this plugin, there are still many times you will want to use the Unwrap UVW even if doing BSP layout in Max. For that approach, utilize the Flatten Mapping function inside Unwrap UVW. It did seem awkward to me originally since my mind used to think more like Hammer than Max... but eventually I could make the spoon bend. After a while, you'll realize that the Unwrap UVW is your friend and not so scary. Keep in mind that with it you can apply the same (instanced) modifier across multiple objects at once.

CoffeeCrazy

shawnolson wrote: »

*snip*

You are amazing. You understand what I'm looking for and have resources! Would it be too much to ask for a simple few-image tutorial on how to use this plugin to do what I'm asking? It looks like a complex tool. If not I will attempt to figure it out.

Also, I'm not afraid of unwrapping things. I'm mostly familiar with editing UV's (though mostly with Max 2.5-9). The new versions seem to have a lot more available, which I am still learning.