Hi, all. I am studying the program 3D Studio Max and I know some of the most basic functions already, but I am curious as to how polygons are cut from an object. Specifically, I am trying to use 3D Studio Max to create models and clothing for Poser 7.

What I would like to do in this particular case is very simple, but I have been unsuccessful in finding any tutorials about it.

If I had a solid sphere primitive, would it be possible to freehand cut polygons out of the shape? I have enclosed an image file as an attachment. It explains what I would like to do.

If this is possible, any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Doram

that is the worst pacman i have ever seen

You should probably ask on a 3d studio max community if you aren't a spambot.

No, I'm not a spambot. I know how bothersome they can be, though. I came to this forum because I was referred by a friend who said that I could probably find the information I needed on this forum. I found it conceivable after he showed me some of the work by some of the people here, so I thought it might be worth a shot.

I've been passing my inquiry around from community to community as well, though. I'm even attempting to get ahold of some professional artists that I know of, but still no luck.

Well there are many ways to do that, it really depends on what kind of shape you're dealing with and what kind of shape you want to cut out.

The "cut" command is the first that springs to mind. if I remember correctly it's under the "edit gemoetry" section. and I think it's only availible in editable poly.

Yes, that's what most people have been telling me thus far. But all the cut tool seems to be doing is dividing up the existing polygons into new polygons, giving the surface of something a "bumpy" look.

Is there any way to actually freehand-draw a selection through the object?

Hmm, I just observed that once the cut tool creates the new polygons, I can just select the new polygons and delete them. This seems to answer my question greatly, so thank you, DJWGuitarman.

Is there any way to use the cut tool in the same sense as say...the pen tool in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator? I'd be able to get much better curves if there is.

I would use a boolean, where you could subtract geometry by using 2 shapes.. but it's been so long since I used max

But you should be able to select a polygon and delete it, if you are using editable poly

There are splines which are similar to the pen tool, however, useing those to cut a hole would be messy at best.
Simply put, the way you're going to get nice curves is to learn how to model.
Everything is triangles, so the smoother a curve is means there's just more triangles it's not a different tool or anything like that.
I think you'll find that most, if not all, concepts from photoshop & illustrator will be lost in max.
There is no way to just freehand draw in max. splines are the closest thing but I think they're still a long way off from what you're thinking.

Thank you for the help, everyone. Much appreciated.

Your friend is a lying *******.

Oh Rob, I've missed you.

Maya > Max

I've never used Max, but most programs have as was suggested a Boolean function, create one shape the shape you want the cut and then subtract it from the object you want the cut put into, doing this often can make un-predictable results tho.

Also as was suggested, you may be able to draw splines on the object, I know with Maya and nurbs you can create a shape with spines onto an object and then cut the nurb so that it's two items.

google 3ds max booleans tho. that might help

Cinema 4D has a cloth engine

Maya has a cloth plugin.

You should just use JED....

JED? I'm pretty sure he wants to be productive.

Does the 3D modeling industry/community still use 3D Studio Max? I thought it kinda phased out in the last years.

Haha, hence the suicide smiley

well they're still making new versions of it. Even if they are trying to phase it out, it's still too widely used for that to actually happen.
Many job listings list 3dsmax or maya experience.

I'd be inclined to think that it is primarily so you can fix some busted *** old **** if you need to, or import projects.

I've seen a lot of certified repairman jobs that ask for fabric covering experience, and none of the places around here even service planes with fabric coverings.