How do I add a poly to this scenario:
Create a 6-sided cylinder
Make it an Editable Poly
Cut it in half along the length
Mirror it
Now I want to extend the cylinder by adding polys. How is this done? I don’t want to make it longer by just extending the edges.
Thanks.

Bardipper
3ds Max 2011 (64-Bit)
(2) Intel Xeon W5590 @ 3.33GHz
Windows 7
12GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1800

First thing - I’m going to move this the the Modeling forum - it isn’t really related to a specific version of Max.

I’m not exactly certain what you want to do - on the one hand you said you wanted to extend the cylinder, but then later said you don’t want to make it longer.
If what you want is to increase the the number of polys - much like changing the “Height Segments” on the original Cylinder, then there are a couple of ways.

Select all the Polys, Slice Plane (on the Edit Geometry rollout), position the plane where you want the new edges and click Slice. Repeat until you have the polys you need.
Or you could select all the vertical (lengthwise) edges and use the Connect feature (on the Edit Edges rollout).

If neither of those are what you want, you’ll have to explain in a bit more detail - a couple of images might help.

Max 4.2 through 2013.
XP-64 (SP2)
NVidia 9800GTX-512 (Driver 266.58).
Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz, 8Gb Ram, DX9.0c.

I think I understand.  You want to cut a cylinder in half and add some space in the middle, so in plan it would appear as an oval, right?  Easiest way is to draw a circle, break two opposing vertices, drag one side out and the Connect the vertices again.  Apply extrude, and you’re done.

Otherwise, as and Editable Poly, once you split it and have the two halves spaced about, go to subobject face.  There should be a Create button.  With this active, you can click open vertices in order to create new polys.  I think you want to go counter-clockwise to have the normal facing out during creation.

If I’m way off, then post a screen shot like Steve suggests.

3DS Max Design 2011 64-bit - Advantage Pack
Dell Precision T5500, Dual Six Core Xeon X5650 @ 2.67GHz, nVidia Quadro 5000, 24 GB RAM, Win 7 Enterprise 64-bit
Minneapolis, MN, USA

I’ve attached a jpg. I just want to add a poly at the base of the cylinder and then extrude that poly.

Bardipper
3ds Max 2011 (64-Bit)
(2) Intel Xeon W5590 @ 3.33GHz
Windows 7
12GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1800

	Attachment

Just select the bottom edges and Shift+Move them down.

Max 4.2 through 2013.
XP-64 (SP2)
NVidia 9800GTX-512 (Driver 266.58).
Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz, 8Gb Ram, DX9.0c.

That doesn’t work for this exercise which comes from “Learning Autodesk 3ds Max 2008” page 184. I am to make a poly below the torso to extrude to make the leg. Your way doesn’t close the leg which I tried doing by using the Cut tool.

Bardipper
3ds Max 2011 (64-Bit)
(2) Intel Xeon W5590 @ 3.33GHz
Windows 7
12GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1800

You want a poly across the bottom?
Turn on 3D Snaps, to Vertex. Polygon SO mode, Create, click each vertex in sequence, starting and ending on the same one. If it’s inside out (flipped) just select it and click Flip.

Page 184? Is that in the downloaded tutorial PDF? If so I’ll have to d/l it - I use the ones from the DVD which Max came on.

Max 4.2 through 2013.
XP-64 (SP2)
NVidia 9800GTX-512 (Driver 266.58).
Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz, 8Gb Ram, DX9.0c.

No, that’s the Autodesk book which is different from the tutorials that come with Max2008. In the book, it’s Project 2, Lesson 6.

Bardipper
3ds Max 2011 (64-Bit)
(2) Intel Xeon W5590 @ 3.33GHz
Windows 7
12GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1800

Hmmm - unless it’s the same tutorial then you’re out of luck - I don’t have the book so I can’t see what you’re supposed to be doing.

Max 4.2 through 2013.
XP-64 (SP2)
NVidia 9800GTX-512 (Driver 266.58).
Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz, 8Gb Ram, DX9.0c.

Steve, thanks. That did the job.

Bardipper
3ds Max 2011 (64-Bit)
(2) Intel Xeon W5590 @ 3.33GHz
Windows 7
12GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1800

Ah, I came too late to help. :)

If you’re interested, here’s a quick video showing other methods.

http://screencast.com/t/sbG15z0o
You may need Techsmith codec to view it.

1st Example:
-Close just part of your open mesh
-Edge extrusion using Shift+Move (Steve mentioned this already)
-Close mesh with Cap

2nd Example:
-Simple Poly Extrusion

E. K. Anna Hennequet [FA]