how 3d max decides what a surface is

[mmichelli]

I started with a drawing of a diamond, and then drew lines on the drawing. I then moved the heights of the drawn shapes to make a 3d line drawing. Now, when I try change the 3d line drawing it into an object I can’t get the surfaces on the right planes. (Instead of being a closed diamond it’s open). I think I need a way of controlling how 3d max decides what a surface is. Can anyone help me please?

I think I get what your saying.....
if you have a spline cage....which you drew with spline lines....then you have to make sure all the verts are welded and no plane can have more than 4 sides to it.
When all verts are welded convert it to editable poly and add a surface modifier to it.

ciao

[mmichelli]

Hi I’ve been trying to weld but it doesn’t look to do anything. I fused all the overlapping vertices but I guess that’s not the same. And I have a flat surface on the top of the diamond that is an octagon?

[pheonex]

you seem to have a complete cage, cant see why you are having problems???

add a "surface" modifier and it should make a whole diamond.
but youll probably have to mess around with smooth groups to make it look right.

ohh you cant weld more than 2 points, ie a spline cage is a composition of "Lines" lines only have a max -->2<-- ends.

you got the right idea with "fuse" though

note: you can only have 3-4 verts per face, and only 2 faces can meet at an edge.

well have fun

[mmichelli]

Thanks for all the help