I agree connect is a lot better than cutting in new edges. But it depends on the action. Cut in vertex mode is pretty much asking for a big pile of hurt and headache. Cut in edge mode instead it's much more predictable and reliable. I've never had edge mode cut freak out and try to assign the edge to an arbitrary point…
Note that my example shows a really skewed polygon face. You're pointy end of an elbow was probably defined by actual edges and not these "hidden" triangle dividing edges. Your actual edges never flip like this, only the hidden ones. I wouldn't say this is an issue you run into all that often, or at least not something you…
[insert quick hack that'll generate errors]; Else, look further down. But you can't just cut those edges into a curve, as the added loops to the curve will fuck with the roundness of the curve, creating flat areas where you'd expect or want curved-ness. The most accurate method is to first un-boolean what you have.Then add…
Hey PolyCount, I recently posted this to 3D p&p but it's kind of getting lost there with no replies so I figured this is probably a more fitting place for it. I'm in the process of trying to sculpt a barrel. I want it to look fairly stylized but i'm having trouble defining the edges and I think i'm getting caught in the…
Hi! My main critique with the mesh is that some curved elements are low resolution (main tank, wheels) compared to others (chimney, pistons), resulting in a visibly facetted silhouette. I think the overall shading looks a tad too soft in places and shows some gradients. If you plan to rely on mesh-shading opposed to a…
I'm trying to learn the ins and outs of Smoothing Groups too so bare with me. This is what I know of them so far..... When applying different smoothing groups the angle is what's affected in the process and not the faces though the face is what you apply the smoothing groups to. Any series of connected faces that share the…
Made a quick and dirty tut to show you how I would do it. This is just an example. If you want it it to wrap more times then add more cuts. If you want a different angle then move the vertices on the right lower and you will have the result you wanted. In the same way you can add the normal map no problem. I f you do not…
Many thanks everyone! It is my my first firearm so there is a lot of new stuff I need to learn. I read a couple of things beforehand and know that I need edges that are not too sharp and bake well later. Though I don't really know how big/small the bevel has to be, therefore I used a bevel modifier for all the sharper…
Used Angle and Area weighted normals in Maya 2014+, results are pretty good without any tinkering (compared to Unweighted anyway), but in some cases we still used some scripts to align the normals to look best, mostly on cases where you had a beveled edge with only 2 segments (like a thin polygon strip). Also used them in…
Sorry about the delay, kept forgetting to bring them home. Here's a link for anyone who wants them: MoP's UV tools and misc scripts As usual, just run the .ms file once from inside Max, then look in the Customize menu and you will find a new category called "MoP's Tools" with a bunch of commands in the list. The "Align UVs…