3D Max 8 clipping automation?

[twmc]

Hi there. I'm new here, but I really hope you guys can help. I have a model ready in max and need to laser cut it as a layered card model. I'm looking to use about 450 slices. What I need to know is if it is possible to automate 3D max to do the following:

render a simple vector outline of the object as an elevation
advance the clipping plane by a specific distance (creating sections views as it does)
re-render the scene
repeat to fade...

This way I would be able to have all 450 .eps files ready for the cutter but without having to spend 3 months rendering/moving clipping plane etc etc.

Thanks

[_hany_]

there is this tool called "Section" in the spline creation panel.
u can use it to creat sections of ur model.
and there is a script the help manual that automates the process of creating multiple sections.
here's the script:

meshSelected = $ -- object to create contours of

minZ = meshSelected.min.z -- get min and max Z positions

maxZ = meshSelected.max.z

numLevels = 450 --the mber of contours

delta = (maxZ - minZ) / (numLevels + 1) -- the number of steps

for currentZ = minZ to maxZ by delta do -- start loop...

(

s = section pos:[0, 0, currentZ] -- create Section

max views redraw -- this line is needed to get around the problem

convertToSplineShape s -- convert Section to SplineShape

s.renderable = true -- set to renderable


hope this helps