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View Full Version : SUBD - Chamfering vs Extrusion? [MAX 4.2]

Ian Jones
12-02-2002, 04:28 AM
Ok, I'm just learning about Subdivison modeling.

What is the difference between Chamfering and Extrusion? When you go to add detail or 'sharpen' and edge up, what is the difference? I suppose in 50% of the case you can only use chamfering... but is this the only distinction between them?

What about Creasing... I don't understand how that is different to Chamfering, perhaps that it is concave edge? and 'pinches' the mesh?

I think I mostly understand it, I would just appreaciate if someone could clarify and draw some distinctions of when and where I should use the methods.

Thanks in advance.
Sgt.ArchAngel
12-08-2002, 04:32 PM
chamfer takes an edge and devides it into 2 edges
extrusions takes a face/edge and creats a new attached one from its end


heres a pic
Ian Jones
12-09-2002, 12:26 AM
Thx, yeah I already knew that... someone posted here already but it seems to have gone missing. oh well.

What I was also wondering is when you go to sharpen the edges of a cube for example (like a dice), is it technically better to chamfer? or subdivide and add more mesh divisions for more control points near the edges?

oh and I need to learn about 'edge loops', I have read a couple of tutorials but they always speak in terminology that I don't yet fully understand. Has anyone got a simple explanation of what and edge loop is? where to use it? how to make it?

Thx in advance.
JamesDeschenes
12-09-2002, 12:40 AM
Well I won't be able to go into a full explanation of how edge loops work but I have some links for ya.

When you model with Subdivision surfaces as you probably already know.. you want to keep quads (4 sided polygons) when if you have a cube and you chamfer 1 edge you will create a new quad on that edge but also at the same time create 2 5 sided faces on each side.

The 'correct' (there is no right and wrong.. this is just relative to quads) way would to be to cut all the edges arround the top of the face.. which inheritly is the exact same thing as doing an extrude...

if you were to select all the top edges of a cube and chamfer.. you would be doing a bevel and it would also produce all quads which is good too... so you can use chamfer and bevel all you want.. just try and keep quads.

now about edge loops and things.. if you have 3dsmax 5.0 you have the edge loop, edge ring, connect and all those tools built in.. if you are running anything else then you will need to go to http://www.scriptspot.com and download the "meshtools" script.. you can easily search for it there or it is probably in the top scripts section. It is pretty easy to install if you read the included readme file...

You can find more information on sub-division modeling at these sites

http://www.secondreality.ch/ Wiro's site has some great sub-division tutorials.. and they are in MAX too :)

http://3d.vaix.net/human/ I have not actually read this turtorial but it is very thurough.. and appears to be for lightwave.. but you can probably apply the same principals to max.

the only other thing I can say is that when you have good edge loops.. you can just select the loop and chamfer it if need be and you can have a new set of loops... thats really does not mean anything on its own.. but whatever :)

have fun.. and I hope this message makes sense.
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