I’ve been trying to understand the shapemerge tool, and I’m having a problem that I haven’t been able to find an answer to. I have an editable poly that I’m attempting to merge a single line object on to. When I do try, the lines appear on a portion of the surfaces, but not all. I’ve attached an example screenshot and file below.

As some background, the surface that I’m trying to apply to was a plane arrayed, converted to poly, and attached. The line has been moved away from the poly for clarity.

Thanks :)

3ds Max Design 2011, AutoCAD 2011
Windows 7 Pro 32bit, Intel Core 2 Duo , Nvidia Quadro FX 1500, 4gig
Windows 7 Home 64bit, Intel , ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730, 4gig

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Whoops, sorry about that :(

Mrrr....don’t know why, but I can’t seem to get it to attach using the forum, so here’s a link to it on gDocs.

https://docs.google.com/fileview?...Rk&hl=en&authkey=COiwqMYH

3ds Max Design 2011, AutoCAD 2011
Windows 7 Pro 32bit, Intel Core 2 Duo , Nvidia Quadro FX 1500, 4gig
Windows 7 Home 64bit, Intel , ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730, 4gig

Wow! Sorry, but I can’t open the file...I have Max2010 :( Sorry but I have not read your OS… However, in Max2011 you can save the file in max2010 ;) If you wish, send the file again! :)

Hi
Michele71

Ah, that’s a good point...next time I’ll do that from the start. Anyways, here’s the file in 2010 format.

3ds Max Design 2011, AutoCAD 2011
Windows 7 Pro 32bit, Intel Core 2 Duo , Nvidia Quadro FX 1500, 4gig
Windows 7 Home 64bit, Intel , ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730, 4gig

	Attachment
example_shapemerge_2010.zip

Shape Merge will generally work better if you actually add some subdivision to your mesh.  The reason this works better is because your merged shape will have to have some points to anchor to; plus, & I’m not really sure on this, but it may do better if your shape that you intend to merge does not cross itself like your does.  I’ve attached a very basic/general example image, as well as renamed & attached your original file - sorry I don’t have longer to go into this.

One last note:  Generally speaking, this is kind of like a boolean operation because there will virtually always be cleanup involved.

Chris Robinson
http://www.supercoonstudios.com (Under Development)
3ds Max 2011
Dell Precision 690, Intel Xeon Dual Quads @ 2.66 GHz, Dual NVIDIA Quadro FX4500s, 12 GB RAM, Windonws 7 x64

	Attachment
example_shapemerge_01.zip

	Attachment

I agree with the above. Although I would say that the line crossing itself is not a good idea, generally speaking, that isn’t the cause of the problem. As noted above, it’s because the shapemerge is designed to work on a continuous surface, not a divided one such as yours.

There is a way around this in this specific instance due to the regularity of the Editable Poly object.

Recreate the basic object from a single Plane, arrayed, attached.
Select the 2 edges to the right of the upper-left poly and Bridge them. Select the new poly and Detatch it to a new object. Select the new poly and give it a Material ID other than 1.
Array that object as you did for the main poly, but 1 less in the X direction. Attach all the new ones to the main object.
Repeat for the 2 edges at the bottom of the top-left poly, bridge, detach, change Mat ID, array this time 10 in x but 9 in y. Attach them to the main object.
Select all the Vertices and weld them. Area select around all the “holes” at the Border SO level and Cap them.

Perform the ShapeMerge, convert back to Editable Poly.

If you Select by Material ID (of 1) then invert the selection, you’ll get all the polys you don’t want and can delete them.

Messy, but it works in this instance, though obviously it’s not a practical solution for all cases.

[edit] Actually, it would be much easier to just use the line as a guide (2.5D Snap To Vertex) and just Cut the polys. [/edit]

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

Hey Steve, can you show a real quick example for what you are talking about?  I cannot get a visual on what you are saying.  If it’s too much trouble don’t worry about it.

Chris Robinson
http://www.supercoonstudios.com (Under Development)
3ds Max 2011
Dell Precision 690, Intel Xeon Dual Quads @ 2.66 GHz, Dual NVIDIA Quadro FX4500s, 12 GB RAM, Windonws 7 x64

Is it morning already?

Ok, download the vid from here, you’ll need the TSCC Codec to view it.

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

Awesome solution Steve, & it helped a lot to see it.  I never have tried Shape Merge on a separated object before, so I did not know if would work properly or not; now I know. :) Thanks for taking the time to do the video, it is appreciated.  Have a good day.

Chris Robinson
http://www.supercoonstudios.com (Under Development)
3ds Max 2011
Dell Precision 690, Intel Xeon Dual Quads @ 2.66 GHz, Dual NVIDIA Quadro FX4500s, 12 GB RAM, Windonws 7 x64

I’m surely missing something, but isn’t it easier to create the Plane object using the „Inset” option in Editable poly? (See Attachment)

ivan

	Attachment

I agree.  Both methods are easy enough, & yes the inset poly option is the typical solution; however, it is nice to have a fresh perspective because it gets ones mind out of that same old proverbial box that is so easy to get locked into.  Plus, I like not having to account for the offset & spacing. :) Truth be known, I would have probably done the inset poly option before this thread, but only because that’s what I’m so use to doing.

Chris Robinson
http://www.supercoonstudios.com (Under Development)
3ds Max 2011
Dell Precision 690, Intel Xeon Dual Quads @ 2.66 GHz, Dual NVIDIA Quadro FX4500s, 12 GB RAM, Windonws 7 x64