3dsmax - Detaching keeping normals?

NAIMA · Jan 2016

Hello , is there a way to detach a set of faces into an object from a bigger mesh and preserve the same normal orientations at the edges with the neightbouring polygons?
Because everytime I detach , the normals get differently oriented.
Or is there a way to unify normals after eventually?

Thanks for any answer.

Noren · Jan 2016

You can apply the edit normals modifier to several meshes at once and average the normals along the seam.

Or you could split the edges and average the normals when it's still the same object.
The trick is to not use detach after that, but tp copy the object and delete the not needed faces respectively.

Unless you need the edited normals for baking etc., it's the best to wait as long as possible before editing them because they get scrambled easily.

Obscura · Jan 2016

Unfortunately not or at least I haven't find a way... What you can do is to project them back with something like the NormalThief. If that doesn't work well, then no idea, sry.

NAIMA · Jan 2016

where I find normal thief?

monster · Jan 2016

It's pretty easy.

Just add an Edit Normal Modifier.
Select all normals and click Make Explicit
Go under the Edit Normal mod and detach as needed.
The normals will appear to break, but they will be saved when you go back up to the Edit Normal modifier.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/om/ty7icgy1irr8.gif

soulstice · Jan 2016

Hey Monster, whats the script you use where you can search for a funciton in your gif? That looks handy.

Obscura · Jan 2016

Very Interesting. Thx!

Eric Chadwick · Jan 2016

soulstice said:

Hey Monster, whats the script you use where you can search for a funciton in your gif? That looks handy.

http://help.autodesk.com/view/3DSMAX/2015/ENU/?guid=GUID-915F3EE9-DCBD-448B-B379-8E2BE38179B3

Eric Chadwick · Jan 2016

Great trick monster!

Added to the list of info here
http://wiki.polycount.com/wiki/VertexNormal#3ds_Max_Restrictions

NAIMA · Jan 2016

thankyou , nice to have partecipated rising a new subject for the wiki

.

cptSwing · Jan 2016

Aye, good idea monster. This might also help (have used it successfully in the past): http://www.scriptspot.com/3ds-max/scripts/vertex-normals-stitcher

Obscura · Jan 2016

Wow this is even better because it allows you to detach to separated meshes. Thx!

soulstice · Jan 2016

Thanks Monster, and awesome trick btw

NAIMA · Jan 2016

Ok I tried and it didn't work , for detaching I meant , detaching to object and not to element ... is it possible topreserve normal orientation once detached a face as an object ?

Obscura · Jan 2016

The script that cptswing linked, should work when you detach to object.

Eric Chadwick · Jan 2016

Or, instead of detaching to object... Copy the model and delete the parts you don't want. I think Monster explained that above.

NAIMA · Jan 2016

I will try that.

Mark Dygert · Jan 2016

Autodesk needs to spend a dev cycle and work on the tools that allow you to edit normals and incorporate some of the ideas behind these scripts and give people some out of the box tools, so they can work around these issues without so much hack-a-dash...

Obscura · Jan 2016

Yeah...Actually it takes a lot of time to live together with the workarounds.

To-mos · Jan 2017

It should be noted that the 'X' key toggles the transform gizmo off and on for 3dsmax before version 2014. Those who remember it's annoying existence will know why it was changed to open search.

3dsmax - Detaching keeping normals?

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