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886 Appendix B: Troubleshooting 3ds Max
3dsMaxtessellatesthesurfaceoftheboxso
there are additional faces for the subtraction.
Unfortunately, the faces are usually generated as
long, slivered faces that sometimes overlap and
formcreasesorridgesintheresultingscene,when
rendered.
Before attempting the Boolean operation, tr y these
steps.
1. Select the object that has the lower face count.
In this example, it would be the box.
2. Change the Length, Width or Height Segments
of the surfaces where the subtraction will occur.
3. From the Compound Objects buttons, click
Boolean.
4. Perform the subtraction as you originally
wanted.
By subdividing the surface with more faces, the
Boolean operation has more faces and edges to
work with. This results in fewer long, sliver-like
faces that can produce c reases or ridges.
Consecutive Boo leans Results in D isappea r ing
Components
Booleans are programmed to work with two
operands, Operand A and Operand B. If you plan
to join or subtract many objects from the object
that you’ve selected as Operand A, you must click
the Boolean button after each Operand B selection.
If you don’t, and simply click the Pick Operand
B button and pick the next object, the previous
operation is negated and the previous Operand
Bdisappears.
Themostefficientmeanstousewhenjoiningor
subtracting a large number of objects to or from
asingleobjectistoattachalltheobjectsbefore
attempting the Boolean operation.
As an example, let’s say you’re building a metal
platethathasacircleofboltholes.Sofar,youhave
a flat box, Operand A, and ten cylinders, Operand
B, passing through it.
The future metal plate with circle of bolts
1. Select one of the cylinders.
2. Right-clickandconvertittoanEditablePoly.
This automatically opens the Modify panel.
3. From the Edit G eometry rollout, click
Attach List.
This is the little button next to Attach.
4. From the Attach List dialog, select a ll the other
Cylinders and click the Attach button.