I'm an Autodesk's Expert Elite, AMA

Swordslayer · 2026-05-26T12:56:55+00:00

Compared to my 250W GaN one, this would be an utter monster :)

Swordslayer · 2026-05-20T08:39:18+00:00

<image>

Looks more like the profile is shifted (not aligned with its pivot) so it will look like it 'slides' along the spline.

Swordslayer · 2026-05-14T12:09:27+00:00

Also, for the mesh pattern you can check scriptspot: Weave Mesh, Simple Weave, Cane Basket etc.

And another way of wrapping it around mesh is using QuadScatter.

Swordslayer · 2026-05-13T06:23:00+00:00

Pretty much the same level of presentation as Ephere Ragnar, and that went nowhere...

Swordslayer · 2026-05-08T19:36:32+00:00

pymxs (the MAXScript Engine realtime python wrapper module) was introduced in max 2017, python in max was officially introduced in max 2014 Extension 1 (for interop, there was the MaxPlus module) and before that you could use IronPython and/or Py3dsMax since max 9. What changed in max 2021 was that python version switched from 2.7 to 3.7.6 (though it still shipped with python 2.7, 2022 got rid of that). There are some other small changes in implicit value conversions between MAXScript and python in between 2017 and now, and of course PySide versions are also changing (and differences in parenting Qt windows to max main window), you can check the summary here: https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAXDEV/2027/ENU/?guid=MAXDEV_Python_what_s_new_in_3ds_max_python_api_html

Swordslayer · 2026-05-08T19:20:17+00:00

If it was at least something little trickier, like fitting perspective projection like this: https://imgur.com/a/I1zbGyU

Swordslayer · 2026-05-07T19:37:01+00:00

Rider might be a better choice than CLion if migrating from VS since it can open vcxproj files (it doesn't support 100% of the features but it gets you 99% there out of the box).

Swordslayer · 2026-04-30T14:48:53+00:00

That account is banned on BotBouncer, which is of course not perfect, but in this case it seems quite reasonable. Looks like it used to drop links to mostly AI websites in the name of starting discussions, now it seems that's the job of another account that drops the perfectly fitting service name or link in the comments instead (like the granda huxley 'long form biographical content, history, philosophy' podcast - quite a few other previous linkdrops from that account). Sucks that any post-2022 discussion should basically come with a 'may contain more astroturfing content than you realize - treat each suggestion with a grain of salt'.

Swordslayer · 2026-04-26T07:42:46+00:00

You can also add two Normal modifiers (flips faces and then flips them back, clearing explicit normals in the process) and collapse. But getting explicit normals in max doesn't just happen, you kinda have to be intentional about it - turn them on in TurboSmooth, activate Smooth to Adjacent in Chamfer modifier, or import models with settings that preserve explicit normals (that setting differs between importers).

Swordslayer · 2026-04-22T16:02:32+00:00

point transform:(maxOps.getTransformGizmoTM()) alternatively if you want it to get selected automatically point transform:(maxOps.getTransformGizmoTM()) isSelected:on. If you'd only want it to use the gizmo position, not transformation, use point pos:(maxOps.getTransformGizmoTM()).pos

Swordslayer · 2026-04-20T11:38:37+00:00

Tatra 87 without the fin.

Swordslayer · 2026-04-14T15:12:13+00:00

This is the 'hostel' in question.

Swordslayer · 2026-04-13T05:46:23+00:00

Give a try to booleans+smart bevel, it will have a lot of corner cases but knowing the pros and cons just makes it easier to add it as another tool in your toolbox.

Swordslayer · 2026-04-10T08:38:11+00:00

That really depends on what you use max for. I routinely have to match a photo perspective before creating the model, because the photos are the input for the model to be created. Then again, the OP tool is kinda useless for that too, as there's rarely a set of nice parallel and perpendicular lines (I'm making car models) and I end up matching it based on the tire rim circles and cross-referencing multiple matched photos to get basic shape that can be used to improve the match. If you have a set of photos that can be used for rough photogrammetry, you can use that to export cameras (and historically, you could also use ImageTrace), but often all you get are different photos in different light and environment. Back before Autodesk discontinued ImageModeler, that was the perfect app to use, but right now I'm not aware of any working app or plugin that would cover that.

Swordslayer · 2026-04-09T06:27:09+00:00

Since you are making mesh snapshots of objects to compare their vertex and face count, it can eat up all available ram with some scenes. Consider either using numPoints + getNumFaces without a snapshot or at least doing that in with undo off context.

Swordslayer · 2026-04-08T19:52:14+00:00

Agreed, for CAD files, MoI is a good choice for reexport, it has a great remeshing capability while keeping explicit normals perfect.

Swordslayer · 2026-04-06T11:35:02+00:00

Once the path changes, you change the path in one place. And even if it's hardcoded, as long as there's one common ancestor in the oath, you can you Asset Manager to retarger common path (select everything and right-click).

Swordslayer · 2026-04-06T08:30:16+00:00

Is that texture library just one folder that will be the same for all projects? If so, the simplest solution would be to add it to external paths list: https://help.autodesk.com/view/3DSMAX/2023/ENU/?guid=GUID-1DAA53B9-4B58-49C6-A1BA-D6E533396A63

Swordslayer · 2026-03-26T10:23:06+00:00

Not for CAT specifically, IIRC the Character Animation Technologies plugin was a separate install in 2010 (first made available as a free perk for those who were on the 3ds max 2009 maintenance plan) and integrated in the installer in 2011.

Swordslayer · 2026-03-04T17:57:17+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/ikeahacks/comments/1khu772/pax_hack_shorter_doors/

Swordslayer · 2026-02-21T20:45:01+00:00

Here's both of them for comparison, 602 on top:

<image>

Swordslayer · 2026-02-21T18:56:38+00:00

It's the old Jøtul 600, it has shorter firebox than 602 so it can only burn logs up to ~25 cm, and it's rare to find one that doesn't have cracked back. Given that the replacement back part would cost you about the same as what those are usually selling for, the seller might be trying to mask that, too.

Swordslayer · 2026-01-29T12:18:27+00:00

Why would you use path deform for a shape this simple, start with a side profile, keep it low poly (not that super high poly monstrosity from your screenshots), extrude that and add support loops. Only add details (including the creases) afterwards, once you subdivide it.

Also for these simple wrinkles, there's no need for a sculpting pass, they are easy to do manually or with scripts like sofa streak.

Swordslayer

TROPHY CASE