Page 750 - Kitab3DsMax

Part VI: Advanced Modeling
FIGURE 27.6
A ShapeMerge object using the Cookie Cutter option

Note
To see the backsides of the faces, right-click the object, select Properties from the pop-up menu, and disable the
Backface Cull option. n

Tutorial: Using the ShapeMerge compound object
When outlined text is imported into Max, it typically contains letters that have shapes within shapes. For
example, the letter p, when outlined, includes the outline of the letter p and a circle shape to denote the
interior section of the letter. When outline text like this is converted to a mesh object, both the letter out-
line and its interior section are covered, making the text illegible. You can use the ShapeMerge compound
object to remedy this tricky situation.
You can practice handling this situation using the logo for the fictional Box It Up company. Before this logo
can be extruded, you need to do some work involving the ShapeMerge object.
To use the ShapeMerge object to remove the center area from an extrusion, follow these steps:
1. Open the Box It Up Co logo.max file from the Chap 27 directory on the DVD.
2. Select all the letters in the logo, press the Alt key, and deselect the interior shapes in the B, O, and
P letters. Then apply the Modifiers ➪ Mesh Editing ➪ Extrude modifier with an Amount value of
0.010 feet.
3. Select the letter B shape again. Then select the Create ➪ Compound ➪ ShapeMerge menu command.

702