Help! - Opacity to geometry?

[scrimski]

Which program?

[methodz]

I am Using 3D studio Max 2009 for the project.

[Psyk0]

Any examples of shapes you need to create? are you restricted to 3d max or you could use zbrush?

[scrimski]

It is possible, kind of.

You may use a Vol.Select modifier to select faces based on a map and use a Elete Mesh Modifier to delete those faces. Extrusion is possible with a Displacement modifier. You will however need a very ense topology for both methods.

[methodz]

Thanks guys sooo much for the info, i am still looking into this. scrimski! i will try your method later today i am moving to a new house this morning! I put together a test object so you guys could have an example. if you would like i can provide the files for testing. Thanks again guys for all the help!!!
http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp3/ccampbell18/Cube_example.jpg

[scrimski]

You are probably better of tracing these shapes and capping them with a Surface or Extrude modifier.

[methodz]

I tried creating the pattern in illustrator and bringing it into max as splines but it gives me an error saying line in file exceeds 255 characters. which i think is from tracing to many vector points in illustrator. And the thing is, this is a test. the real maps are much more detailed.. This is a real jam up for sure!

[Psyk0]

Ok that is really tricky, my first approach to try would be in zbrush (i'd probably use 3d max to conform/bend and shape the final mesh)

-Starting in a vector program (or photoshop?), you'd need to create an alpha from the pattern, at a decent resolution to keep the edges fairly smooth.

-In zbrush use the draw rectangle stroke to "mask" it on a fairly dense mesh, use extract function (something like .0034, or whatever thickness needed) this will extract a cutout of the masked areas. This technique has a tendency to produce bumpy edges tho, it should be easy enough to smooth out edges.

-Now the pattern is extracted, but the actual shape of the object is not there, there's tools to conform object patterns to another object based on UV mapping in 3D max.

One of them is called slideknit
http://slidelondon.com/

Example of what it can do:
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showpost.php?p=5395022&postcount=56

[WaltherGropius]

Hey Methodz

I think you're on the right lines with vectors, actually. I've also seen the 'line in file exceeds 255 chars' error, but it was always a red herring, pointing to either a bug in max or an incompatibility with vectors output from certain programs. I've always solved it by bouncing the vectors (.dxf, .ai, .whatever) back and forth between Illustrator, Maya, Blender etc until they eventually came into max okay!

Do you have access to Flash? If so, it contains a fantastic and very reliably tool for vectorising bitmaps. I've used it for very similar things to what you're talking about (in my case, turning an alpha channel into a vector, to avoid issues with alphas channels and motion blur) and had great results.

Best of luck, tell us how you get on.

Robin
(ps good to see SlideKnit is still being used!)

[Berglte]

error saying line in file exceeds 255 characters.
Try exporting the vectors as AI3 file. The newer ones don't work and give that error message when importing to max.

[CGOrange]

I don't know if this will help you but when I import curves from ai to maya I get an error if I dont save it as AI version 8.. if the pattern is repeatable you can probably trace a part in AI and duplicate it.. if you can't get the flash way to work. I sometimes have trouble keeping the quality of the lines when I do it the flash way.

[CGOrange]

in maya 2009 i just noticed under modify->convert, there is a "convert texture to geometry" I've never used this myself but it sounds promising.

[methodz]

Thanks everybody for all your help! i ended up saving the file as an AI3 as a couple of you suggested! worked like a charm! i have a couple other problems but will post soon when i have them organized thanks again guys couldnt do it without you!

Best Regards,

Chris!

[CGOrange]

Hey chris, glad you got it working!

[MisterS]

RE: an error saying line in file exceeds 255 characters.


If I remember rightly (not got illu. here-

Scale your vector to a larger size - save and that should do the trick - and save in an old illustrator format. <- that may also be garbage but I've solved this problem doing something along those lines.

[methodz]

Hey guys so here is an updated example
http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp3/ccampbell18/DisplacedMidSection.jpg
Displaced/Opacity mapped (2.5 mil Polly's)

I have successfully used the displace(WSM) to create the 3d geometry. However this is not actually what i need. I have 2 goals at this point. I need to "extrude" from an alpha map not displace as this pushes the faces out instead of creating solid mesh similar to a metal press... Also i am trying to find a way to remove the geometry where the black in the alpha map lays on the object(anywhere you see blue!). Maybe this must be achieved using script? thanks guys! you have all been aaaamaaaazing so far!

Thanks spittle, that's what i ended up doing!, CG Orange, thanks for the heads up on texture to geometry conversion.

P.S. I am open to projection mapping as well as boolean as long as the mesh reduction isnt insane! i have to produce many of these objects so as much automation as possible is key!

Best Regards,

Chris

[methodz]

Hey guys i totally had a break through! here is an example of the effect i was trying to achieve. this is much lower density patterning than the actual products but the effect i have been going for is visible!
http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp3/ccampbell18/WrappedGeometry.jpg

I ended up using a surface wrapper plug in and exporting the vectors as an old ai file for max as you a couple of you had suggested! thank you guys sooooooooo much for all the great advice and for taking the time to help me with this! i hope to update soon with a couple better shots so you guys can see!

Best Regards!

Chris

[MisterS]

Can you explain a little more how you acheived your desired effect? Have you got a link to your plug in? This has given me an idea.

Also, where do you get your patterns from?

[methodz]

Hey Spittle not a problem at all. the name of the script i used was was found at cnc-tool kit.com (http://www.cnc-toolkit.com/maxscript.html) there are a lot of really great tools in the kit however i only used the "Wrapper" plug in. Extract and copy/paste into your scripts directory for 3ds max. you create the vector lines you need within Adobe Illustrator and save them as an illustrator 3 file type. then import, open or drag and drop them into the view port. clean them up if necessary and then extrude the geometry for the splines(vector lines) and then convert to editable poly(be sure you do not need to make any other changes). After that run the plug in script and use the tool to wrap the geometry around which ever surface you need. there are directions for using this tool on the website linked above. GOOD LUCK!

Best Regards,

Chris
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spittle
Can you explain a little more how you acheived your desired effect? Have you got a link to your plug in? This has given me an idea.

Also, where do you get your patterns from?

[MisterS]

Cool, will try that, it's gf's birthday soon and thinking I could use this technique to add some detail to a charm I've designed for her bracelet.

Is there a source online to get patterns similar to what you're using? or did you create this?

Thanks

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