3DS Max connecting spline vertices

[bilookhan]

I have a dumb question and i know i should know this lol

i am doing spline modelling and i created two spline circles and converted them to spline mesh and attached them as single object.
Now i want to connect two vertices from the two spline. Whenever I try to connect the line, i can't seem to select the vertices. Instead a new line is drawn behind the object.

I cant seem to move further than this. I am trying to design a complex building, i hope i don't need to use shapes

 

[FelixFFDS]

Are you using snap to vertex when creating your connecting spline?

 

[bilookhan]

Are you using snap to vertex when creating your connecting spline?

I can't see that option on 3DS Max 9, but no, I am using create line under the vertex tab.

I used another option just now, the connect/ refine option ... tht seems to have worked .... but now ended up with another problem ...

My vertices aren't being shown as dots but just numbers...

 

[FelixFFDS]

In gmax (and I assume that things haven't changed that much for Max 9) you can set the "Grid and Snap" settings from the Customize->Grid and Snap Settings menu options.

Also, there "should" be a series of buttons along the bottom of the screen that look like magnets, you'd want to right-click ont he one that has numbers (3 2.5 2) on it to bring up the same settings/options dialog.

I can't see that option on 3DS Max 9, but no, I am using create line under the vertex tab.
...

 

[bilookhan]

yea i just found the magnet button you were talking abt...

I can see three option to toggle Magnet3/2.5/etc ...

will try them out.
thanks

 

[Willem]

Hi,
if i understand correctly what you want to achieve, i would go about it like this:

Say you have two circles.

-Apply an Edit Spline modifier to one of the two circles.

-Attach the other circle to the one with the modifier (the Attach button is on the modifier panel). Click Attach and next select the circle you want to attach to the other one. Now it is one object, containing 2 circle shapes.

-use the CREATE LINE button and create 2 lines between the vertices of the two circles. (use the snaps function for that, rightclick on the magnet with the 2, 2.5 or 3 for the dialog box where you can select the desirered snap(s))
(see image 1, lines are in place)

-apply a Trim/Extend modifier, click Pick Location and then click on the areas you want removed from the circles.
(see image 2, one section already removed)

-now the object looks ok, but the joins at the lines and circles are still not one. To correct this you need to weld some vertices: Apply an Edit Spline modifier, go to vertex mode, box-select the 4 vertices where the arcs meet the lines (well actually there are 8 vertices, but they are overlying each other), set the weld distance next to the Weld button to 1.0 and click on the Weld button.
(see image 3, vertices welded)

Now the object is really in one piece, you can tell that by selecting one of the vertices at the end of a line and dragging it out, this will deform the object.
(see image 4)

Your object is ready for further use.

Hope this sorta is of any help!

grt
Willem

 

[Willem]

Hi,

Further to the post above, if you meant to use spline cage modelling, or cros-section modelling, read on!

I think that this thread describes well how to use spline cage modelling .
http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26388&highlight=spline+modelling

In this thread over at FFDS Lionheart has made a very clear and grapic explanation of how to go about this.
http://www.aerodynamika.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1177018279/8#8
Don't leave home without it!!!

Hope this helps!

grt
Willem

 

[Aviasim]

click on the spline that you made etc, and use the "Insert" button on the right, you may have to scroll down a bit until you see it, the you click on the point where you want the line to begin, and click on the other point where you want it to end and it will make your line, then click "Insert" again so it turns grey