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yog
08-07-2002, 09:45 AM
Anyone got any tips on configuring MAX to work in metric units on medium to small objects ?
I have a window frame 1.0m x 1.60m x 0.1m (currently the only thing in the file) and am experiencing severe viewport clipping problems, the orthographic views are fine, but the perspective and camera views clip badly, in fact when the camera gets within 2.0m of the window object, most of it is clipped away.

I’m using the Open_GL display driver with a Geoforce2, the units are in metres, I’ve tried various grid spacing (it’s currently set to 0.4m).
If I open an empty file and start sketching (so the object sizes are around 10m/100m) everything is fine, but if I start using real world sizes like the window object the viewports start to feel flaky and I get the viewport clipping problems.
Viewport clipping is off by default, but ironically I can get slightly better results (but not good) by switching clipping on and lowering the minimum clip distance.

I feel foolish having to ask this simple question as it is probably a single option I’m missing. I don’t even mind an RTFM, as long as you give a clue what part of TFM to look in :thumbsup:

Many thanks.
Iain McFadzen
08-07-2002, 10:45 AM
Customise--->Preferences--->General--->System Unit Scale (as opposed to Customise--->Units Setup).
yog
08-07-2002, 12:40 PM
Thanks Iain, I'll try that when I get home.
yog
08-08-2002, 07:21 PM
It took a lot of reading but I finally found the fix.

Just in case any other newbies get this problem here's what happened.

Being a metric society the first thing I did was set the user units to metres, but here's the problem, I also set the System Units to metres.
Sensible thinks I, but no. After much reading I found a line in the manual that says that by default MAX likes the system units to be set to 1 inch, regardles of what the user units are set to. Switched the System Units back to 1 inch from 1 metre and all works fine :thumbsup:

Wacky program :buttrock: , I'm sure this wont be my last question here :rolleyes:
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