Meshsmooth/Smoothing groups

[ilasolomon]

hi DrPepperCan
take a look @ this, hope it helps:
http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11027

[javierdl]

WOw! THat thread is amazing! I bet is just what I needed to learn :)
I'll go and read it all very carefully.

Thanks a million ila_solomon :)

DrPepperCan
http://sunnylandbaja.jdlprod.com/others/drpeppercan_small.gif
can you tell I just learnt how to put images on the posts without uploading them? ;) he he he

[javierdl]

That was a great tutorial/thread indeed, ila_solomon :)
Thanks again to post it.

However, the thing that concerns me the most didn't seem have been covered, read the following excerpt from the original post: "...but when it comes to using the "Control Level" I just don't get it.
As far as I understand, one would use it when needing to have more than one smoothed area. its function is to separate the smoothing groups, so each group would belong to its own control level, isn't it like this?
If it is, then am I supposed to follow a specific steps sequence for it to work? I get the feeling I am, but I don't know what is this sequence.
Take for instance the model I have showed here, what if I wanted to smooth the nose more than the rest of the face?
Should I start by increasing the Control Level dial to 1? and then select the nose polygons, then increasing the iterations? Or Should I start by the second step and leave the first step at last?"

I hope this is clear.

Please keep in mind that I am retarded ; ), hence "step by step" type of explanations will be greatly appreciated :)

DrPepperCan
http://sunnylandbaja.jdlprod.com/others/drpeppercan_small.gif

[xynaria]

Smoothing groups operate a little like muti/sub obj material in that you select areas of your mesh you want affecting, adjusting the smoothing angle spinner, and assigning a smoothing group to them by pressing down on which ever number you choose. To check your smoothing groups use the button labelled select by SG. Pressing clear on selected faces will clear all smoothing from them. :)

[AJ]

what if I wanted to smooth the nose more than the rest of the face?

Look into the HSDS Modifier. There is information on it in Max's online manuals. Personally - I think it's the devil! (I fear what I do not understand... for example, skinless sausages)

anyway...

There are two alternatives, the first is essentially crap but here we go. Select the polys, in say the nose and with them selected go up to your Meshsmooth modifier and pan down the rollout until you see a small checkbox marked "apply to whole mesh" - uncheck it. You'll see that the nose has been smoothed independantly from the rest of the object... the crap part is that it makes your mesh an ugly ugly mess.

Ok, option number two. Cold hard labour! If you want the nose to appear smoother than the rest of the face, it's probably going to be because you lose detail in the rest of the face when you bump up the iterations right? Well, you could solve this two ways.

1. Refine the details in the face further so that they 'hold their own' when subdivided

2. Work on the nose some more so that it doesn't need as much meshsmoothing to look well, smooth!

Hope this inane dribble helps in anyway,

:D

[javierdl]

This is why I LOVE this place!!! :)

Thank you so much guys for your greatly appreciated help.

I should be fine after this info now.

All have a great day,

DrPepperCan
http://sunnylandbaja.jdlprod.com/others/drpeppercan_small.gif

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