Forum: 3DS MAX


Subject: Basic Demonstration of Loop Tools in 3dsMax (Video)

LuxXeon opened this issue on Aug 07, 2014 · 9 posts


LuxXeon posted Thu, 07 August 2014 at 8:04 PM

Attached Link: Basic Demonstration Video Of Loop Tools In 3dsmax (2010 or higher)

Hi, everyone.  I just uploaded this video, which demonstrates, in a very basic way, how the Loop Tools panel can be used to quickly and efficiently create shape blending, and curvature, in a hard-surface workflow.

The user manual explains each tool with far more depth, but doesn't seem to illustrate  some of the more useful, and practical, applications for these great tools.  Hopefully this video will help spark some more interest in these features, and help you decide if they would help enhance your modeling workflow, as they have done mine.

http://youtu.be/WrMQfx9k-64

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bandolin posted Fri, 08 August 2014 at 8:07 AM

Wonderful demonstration. Unfortunately for some reason I don't have Loop tools dialog. It is certainly not under: Modeling ribbon Graphite Modeling Tools tab Polygon Modeling panel Edge sub-object level Loops panel [expansion] Loop Tools, where the manual says it should be found. : (


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LuxXeon posted Fri, 08 August 2014 at 10:23 AM

Quote - Wonderful demonstration. Unfortunately for some reason I don't have Loop tools dialog. It is certainly not under: Modeling ribbon Graphite Modeling Tools tab Polygon Modeling panel Edge sub-object level Loops panel [expansion] Loop Tools, where the manual says it should be found. : (

That's highly unusual.  What exactly appears in the drop-down dialogue when you expand the "Loop" menu in the Graphite Ribbon?  The Loop Tools button should appear directly next to the "Build End" and "Build Corner" buttons.  If it's definitely not there, due possibly to a corrupt UI installation, then you should still be able to call it up from a hotkey.

Customize  Customize User Interface  Keyboard Tab  Group:Main UI  Category:Poly Tools  Action:Loop Tools

Then assign it to any available hotkey, and it should come up when you activate that hotkey.  I have to imagine, if it's not where it should be in the Graphite Ribbon, you may have some kind of icon corruption in your Graphite Ribbon UI.

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wheatpenny posted Fri, 08 August 2014 at 12:16 PM Site Admin

I can't seem to find it in mine either. What version are you using, Bandolin? Maybe they moved it in the newer versions...




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LuxXeon posted Fri, 08 August 2014 at 12:44 PM

Depending on how you have your UI configured, Loop Tools will only become available if you are in the Edge sub-object selection of an editable polygon object, in the location indicated in the screen capture.  Can you guys take a screen capture of your ribbon at that location in edge sub-object mode?

I don't believe the ribbon structure changed in any version since 2011, but 2015 may have moved things around, not sure.  Still, it should be available if you map it to a hotkey.  I know it hasn't been removed from the software.

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wheatpenny posted Fri, 08 August 2014 at 3:25 PM Site Admin

OK, I found it. Turns out I was looking in the wrong place. The attached image shows where it is in Max 2015.




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LuxXeon posted Fri, 08 August 2014 at 3:38 PM

Quote - OK, I found it. Turns out I was looking in the wrong place. The attached image shows where it is in Max 2015.

Ah, ok, so they did modify the location slightly for 2015, with the new tear-away menus.  Cool stuff.

I still highly recommend either mapping the Loop Tools dialogue to a hotkey, or placing it inside a quad menu, for easy access.  They are, quite possibly, some of the most useful linear modeling tools in the application.

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bandolin posted Fri, 08 August 2014 at 9:34 PM

Thanks Wheat. Found it.

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EricofSD posted Mon, 11 August 2014 at 12:36 AM

I'm an AV guy.  Need audio with the video.  Thanks.