Relax By Smoothing Group modifier for 3ds Max

Malkalypse

RelaxBySG is a new modifier plugin for 3ds Max to smooth meshes without destroying hard edges defined by smoothing groups.

RelaxBySG works on the same principle as the standard Relax modifier, but offers a greater degree of control.
Rather than relying on the modifier to find boundaries and corners and hoping for the best, you can use smoothing groups to define them yourself.

You can find more information at  http://versatileartist.com/index.htm?display=%27RelaxBySG%27

musashidan

Good idea. Is there any way to keep the boundary points fixed? Or the volume? I use the Graphite loop tools relax as I find it much better than the relax modifier.

Malkalypse

Hm, an option to keep the boundary points fixed would be simple enough to implement. I'll try and get that added in sometime during the next couple days. Thanks for the suggestion!
As for maintaining volume, that's a little beyond my immediate skills. You might want to try Marius Silaghi's TopoRelax.

Malkalypse

Actually... if you want to keep the boundary points fixed, just don't select them. In which case, the results will be identical to a standard relax modifier. *shrug*

MeshMagnet

Which Max versions will this work for? 

acealmighty13

It's nice to see 3DS Max get some plugin love once in a while.  Lately, I've seen quite a few different interesting plugins I'd like to try but they are for Maya.  Easy download for me.

musashidan

Thanks for your efforts @Malkalypse just curious, did you create this in MCG?

Malkalypse

MeshMagnet: Currently RelaxBySG will work with versions of Max from 2012-2016. If there are requests for earlier versions I can compile them. 2017 is a little trickier as I would have to find someone to test it for me. (I'm not really a fan of the subscription-only model that is the only way to get it. I know that I will have to get on it eventually but ergh...)

acealmighty13: There used to be a thriving cottage industry for Max plugins but it's faded somewhat over the years. If you are looking for tools to help you boost your productivity, I would highly recommend checking out scriptspot.com.

musashidan: No, I made it in Visual Studio. Max 2016 actually runs really slowly on my 2009 computer, so I typically only start it up when I need to test a plugin! That said, MCG does look interesting, and I want to learn more about it.

cptSwing

Just a quick question and in no way meant as an insult: What are possible use cases for a relax-by-smoothing group?

musashidan

One example is to cleanup messy vert placement after manual retopology.

ghaztehschmexeh

Just bought this, and there doesn't seem to be support for 2017  Any chance you are going to add that? 
Edit: noticed you would need someone to test it for you; I volunteer!

Joao Sapiro

i know its an old version and i still use it , but any chance for a max 2009 version ?

Malkalypse

ghaztehschmexeh: Going to be working on that this weekend. I'll make a post here when the 2017 version is available.
Joao: I still have a copy of Max 2009 laying around somewhere. I'll have to find it. I'll see if I can't get to that this weekend too. I'll let you know.

And this will be the first time I've had 9 versions of Max installed on my computer at once, lol...

Joao Sapiro

thanks man , smoothing groups are a core functionality on my workflow and this script would have come handy lota of time contact me if you need me to help on anything !

Malkalypse

Compatible versions are now available for 3ds Max 2009 (32 and 64 bit), and all versions of Max from 2012 through 2017.

A quick note regarding the 2009 versions: I got a bunch of errors and warnings while compiling, but they did in fact compile successfully, and I found no errors when I tested them. However, if you have any problems let me know and I will get them sorted.

WaYWO

Dude , It behave just like a Zbrush Polish by feature , whoa , giving me Ideas now.

Joao Sapiro

hello ! just to let you know i bought this and installed it on max 2009 , but my question is , is it possible to make it a dialog like the usual relax dialog instead of a modifier ? Thanks

cptSwing

Malkalypse said:

Compatible versions are now available for 3ds Max 2009 (32 and 64 bit), and all versions of Max from 2012 through 2017.

Since the Autodesk-Choo-Choo-Train never stops, is there a version for Max 2018 available now? Thanks in advance!

@Malkalypse