Page 761 - Kitab3DsMax

Chapter 27: Working with Compound Objects
Filling object holes
If multiple holes exist between the objects, the Connect object attempts to patch them all. You can also use
the button several times to connect a single object to multiple objects.
Caution
The Connect object doesn’t work well with NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines) objects. n
The Parameters rollout includes a list of all the operands or objects involved in the connection. You can
delete any of these with the Delete Operand button. The Extract Operand button lets you separate the
Operand object from the Connect object.
In the Interpolation section, the Segments value is the number of segments used to create the bridge sec-
tion, and the Tension value is the amount of curvature to use in an attempt to smooth the connected bridge.
The Bridge Smoothing option smoothes the faces of the bridge, and the Ends option smoothes where the
bridge and the original objects connect.
Tutorial: Creating a park bench
The Connect object is best used between two symmetrical copies of an object that need to be attached, as
with a table or bridge. For this tutorial, you use the Connect object to create a park bench between two end
pieces.
Note
Although the Connect compound object works fine, it requires that both holes have the same number of vertices.
A more robust solution is the Editable Poly’s Bridge feature. n
To connect two ends of a park bench, follow these steps:
1. Open the Park bench.max file from the Chap 27 directory on the DVD.
This file includes symmetrical ends of the park bench. One end was created by extruding a spline
shape and using the ShapeMerge tool to cut matching holes on the inner-facing surfaces. The
Mirror tool was then used to create and rotate the symmetrical clone.
2. Select one end of the park bench, and select the Create ➪ Compound ➪ Connect menu command.
3. In the Pick Operand rollout, click the Pick Operand button, select the Move option, and click on
the opposite side of the park bench.
The two end pieces connect.
4. In the Parameters rollout, select the Smoothing: Bridge option to smooth the seat of the bench.

Figure 27.15 shows the resulting park bench.

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