eem
03-01-2010, 02:55 PM
Is there any way to meshsmooth a complex model of machinery, containing both hard and soft edges in such a way that it will keep hard edges creased, but round out soft edges?
I have tried to do this a number of ways already.
The first way I tried was in maya, simply by ticking 'preserve hard edges' in meshsmooth. This does preserve the hard edges, but it doesn't round the hard edges along curves. Like say if you smooth a 6 sided cylinder this way. The edges stay hard, but they also stay faceted to the 6 angles of the 6 sided cyldinder. While the middle of the cylinder would be perfectly round. I need the edges to become rounded as well, but stay creased.
So then I tried the crease function. Which does do this. But you cannot just crease every hard edges on a intricate model of machinery and have it work out. Portions of it become webbed, or attached in improper ways, not all edges are retained.
I then tried the crease functionality in 3DS max and it had the same issue.
I have managed to make it work by going through and manually adding more edges where creases need to be, then do a meshsmooth all. This works. But I'm curious, is there an automated way to do that, in any application, or from any plugin?
I have tried to do this a number of ways already.
The first way I tried was in maya, simply by ticking 'preserve hard edges' in meshsmooth. This does preserve the hard edges, but it doesn't round the hard edges along curves. Like say if you smooth a 6 sided cylinder this way. The edges stay hard, but they also stay faceted to the 6 angles of the 6 sided cyldinder. While the middle of the cylinder would be perfectly round. I need the edges to become rounded as well, but stay creased.
So then I tried the crease function. Which does do this. But you cannot just crease every hard edges on a intricate model of machinery and have it work out. Portions of it become webbed, or attached in improper ways, not all edges are retained.
I then tried the crease functionality in 3DS max and it had the same issue.
I have managed to make it work by going through and manually adding more edges where creases need to be, then do a meshsmooth all. This works. But I'm curious, is there an automated way to do that, in any application, or from any plugin?