3D Studio Max on grid...

acapulco

I never found that out and it is quite annoying.
Is it possible to move your stuff in the preview window on the z-axis when you are working snapped on grid? I'm working with 2.5 snap, but it doesnt work with 2 or 3 either...
It is kinda annoying to always change the view mousewise to adjust z Axis. Does anyone know something about that?

slave_one

If you want to do this, you need to be in 3d snap mode, if you use axis constraints make sure that you have (at least) the z-axis enabled. if you dont use axis contstraints, you should not have any trouble. However note that the "grid" in the perspective viewport is only available for the XY plane, unless you activate a different grid. So you cannot really snap to a grid position on the z-axis, you can snap to geometry though. In that case, make sure you have at least snap to vertex enabled. If you want to move stuff in the z-axis while you are working in the top viewport for example you can use F12 (move transform type in tool), but that does not have a lot to do with snap : )

the following explains 2 / 2.5 and 3d snap setting:
Autodesk 3ds Max Help > Precision and Drawing Aids > Snap Commands >

hope that helps

MoP

Yeah, this has annoyed me forever in 3dsmax ... it doesn't snap to the z-axis in the perspective view because only the "floor plane" grid is active. Ridiculous, really... you shouldn't have to change mode or axis constraint manually, you should just drag on the gizmo in the direction you want... Maya snaps on all axes in 3d view automatically, which makes much more sense.

acapulco

That sucks so hard... Yeah, but thanks anyway for your answers! Should be on the to do list for next 3dsmax version!

JohnnyRaptor

could you create a giant plane, place it at 0,0,0 and add segments and then freeze it ? bam!, ur own jerry-rigged z-gridplane

slave_one

Nice trick there Johhny, have never thought of that, but I guess when you work with something that long, you create your own work arounds to get by.

You can set up the plane to match you grid exactly, nice one. Don't forget to turn on "snap to frozen objects" though .. or some more annoyance will come your way : )

(grid and snap settings, options tab)

Mark Dygert

Yea why autodesk why? Its not stealing if you own Maya, just call it a bug-fix for max.

Err, the plane idea is neat but why not use a grid helper (Create > Helpers > Grid)?
You can align them anywhere any which way you need, no messy polys getting in the way visually.

Notes:
- Either bind "activate grid object" to a key, or use the Quad Menu > Activate Grid Object/Activate Home Grid. To toggle the grids on and off.
- You can precisely set your home grid and grid objects to the same set up.
- Grid Objects can be copied, moved around and rotated as you need new grids in new places. For example if you're working on a hallway, you can have a grid on each wall, floor and ceiling. You can even have smaller sub grid for specific objects.
- You can also link these grids to those specific objects, making them easy to double click select and copy the grid along with the object.

slave_one

Or that yeah : )

Good point Vig. Sometimes stating the obvious is forgotten!

(Basically it will come down to your own preferences and situational circumstances. If for example your scene, or whatever you are building is really simple, you can use the frozen plane (benefit there will be that you never have to switch anything). If you are building something more complex, the grid objects probably are the way to go and can be very powerfull.)