3DS Max Modifier stack question

Pegbird

I'm a long-time Maya user who is trying to become more familiar with 3DS Max.

Everytime I select an object it jumps to the top of the modifier stack and none of the editable poly functions are available. I keep having to click "editable poly" before resuming work on the model.

Classic example, I apply turbosmooth and then everytime I select that object it defaults to turbosmooth instead of editable poly.

Is there a way to avoid this?

Eric Chadwick

Not really. Although instead of a modifier, you could use the Subdivision Surface rollout inside Editable Poly.

If you want to use a Symmetry modifier, it's usually better (faster performance) to add a Turbosmooth modifier above that. YMMV.

WarrenM

I had to write a script that looks for the last Edit_Poly modifier in the stack and highlights it whenever I change to the modifier tab.

miauu

WarrenM wrote: »

I had to write a script that looks for the last Edit_Poly modifier in the stack and highlights it whenever I change to the modifier tab.

Something like this script - RapidEdit?

WarrenM

Along those lines, yes!

cptSwing

I use this script (ModifierAutoSelect) and have my tilde key set to "Show End Result". Works like a charm!

Pegbird

@ cptswing - The link is broken to that modifierautoselect

@miauu - It seems the rapidedit script requires pushing a hotkey and is not automatic.

@warrenM - Do you have this script available anywhere for download?


@ eric chadwick - Ah ha! Is this fundamentally the same smoothing function as turbosmooth? I am trying to write a toggle on/off script for this and bind it to a key. Basically I am trying to simulate Maya's "SmoothPreview" feature when you hit the 3 key.

cptSwing

Sorry Pegbird: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2LlOo3bxGqNS1pCa1BCZUN3eU0/

Pegbird

@ perna - Thank you very much, works like a charm. I also happen to be using your script for auto-applying a grey material/black wireframe so thanks for that as well.

@ cptswing - hmm it says "installation successful" when I run the script and then I bound the macro to a key and when I press it gives an error and says try re-installing (which unfortunately did not work).

Finally figured out how to bind NURMS Subdivide toggle to a key, so now it works just like Maya's smooth preview. Question is in most videos I've seen people still use the turbosmooth modifier instead, not sure why.

Mark Dygert

Pegbird wrote: »

Question is in most videos I've seen people still use the turbosmooth modifier instead, not sure why.

1) Nurms subdivision toggle only exists in editable poly objects, it isn't in the "edit poly modifier". Depending on what you're doing you might build a stack that has you doing geometry edits far above the base object.

2) If you need to collapse your stack and turbosmooth is on top you can use "collapse to" command, underneath turbosmooth and the subdivisions aren't burned into your model. If you're using nurms sub-d at the bottom of your stack you have to remember to turn it off before you collapse.

2a) Example: For somethings is fine, but because things like unwrapUVW are a modifier not a mode, it has to be applied and then collapsed to save those UV changes. You will probably forget and either end up lagging the UV Editor pretty hard or accidentally collapse your sub-d into your mesh when you collapse your UV's.

3) You can write a simple script that toggles the visibility of turbosmooth on and off just as easily as you would write a toggle for nurms subdivision.

4) You chain two modifiers together to "double smooth" Which gets rid of the need for some support loops, those edges are controlled by smoothing groups.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87I8FpXn3Yc


5) There is also "turbosmooth PRO" which is better but not free. It spanks the double smooth method and regular turbosmooth, HARD.
http://www.mariussilaghi.com/products/turbosmooth-pro
And rumors that something like it will be included in 3dsmax2015, which is due out next month.

I'm not saying it's horrible and don't use it, for somethings its great. Just know it has a few pit falls and use it wisely.

divi

since it seemed to good to be lost - http://blog.matfacer.com/post/77352269691/modifier-auto-select

tynew

Going to bump this thread and ask, I'm using perna's script which has been very helpful. I'm wondering in some cases I'd need to model with an edit poly modifier on top. What kind of shortcuts everyone is using with this? It conflicts to a degree when I need to use the SO mode of edit poly.

What hotkeys is everyone else using?

monster

@tynew

I've been busy animating and not modeling lately, but when I jump back in I was going to install this tool. It simply remembers the selected modifier per object.

http://www.paulneale.com/scripts/StackTools/

I couldn't use Perna's script since I'm skinning and morphing a lot.

tynew

Thank you again monster that should be quite helpful!

peanut™

In any case, don't forget about ctrl-B key which is useful when you are in the stack and want to get out of it.

ctrl-B