Another really nice way to get selections like that is to use a 'vol select' modifier. Set it to faces and anything within its gizmos will be selected.
Nice tutorial, I like fletch's ideas too. Also know that you can pass selection (and soft select) up the stack also so your displacements are only operating in certain areas, this way you can add Z to the broken edges without having to worry about it effecting the top. For example: In poly mode, do a "select by angle" to…
That works too. The only problem with Vol Select is that it will make straight selects on what might be a wavy line. Select by Mat ID will get you just those polys again and again wherever they might be. I don't know of a way to get the exact polys you've Vol Selected after they've been distorted? One more advantage to Mat…
The reason Volume select is good is that Quadify trashes your Mat ID's. Not that i disagree, if your doing it like rooster suggested then Mat ID is totally superior Is that Max2012 I see?