How can I model a spline along an existing surface?  I want to create a spline path for an object, but have it run along on the surface of another object.  The object I wanted to use as my base is an editable mesh.  Thanks.

use the compond loft first select the path then pick the shape

3ds max 8. computer engineer. (Atmosphere FX, moddling houses, AEC, Video post)

windows xp sp3,
2 hard drive 80 and 60,
ram 120,
VGA sis mirage 3

You can cut the path on a copy of your mesh and create a shape from the new edges.

max 9
Photoshop CS3
Windows XP
tin box + plug
Wacom Intuos3

Use the Section - on the Spline create panel along with Circle, Rectangle etc.

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 misread the question use the shape merge read the reference under help

3ds max 8. computer engineer. (Atmosphere FX, moddling houses, AEC, Video post)

windows xp sp3,
2 hard drive 80 and 60,
ram 120,
VGA sis mirage 3

Thanks I will give these a try!

All these sound good but you can also download the Soulburn scripts from Neil Blevin. The whole Soul Collection is Free and you can get it from Scriptspot.com

In there you will find the spline painter which allows you to select a mesh and paint a spline right on it. Very simple and useful!

That’s my 2 cents.

Max 2009 through 2012(SP2), Win 7 Pro 64.
NVidia Quadro 5000
2X 6 Core Intel Xeon5650 2.7GHz, 24Gb Ram

Ah yes, leave it to Neil to have a nifty script already written.  I will go check it out.  Thanks!