psuedoNURBS v1.53 - FOR MAX 3.x ONLY

  1. Description
  2. Revision History
  3. Disclaimer

Description

This script speeds up the workflow when working with referenced, meshsmoothed objects (something like metaNURBS in Lightwave). It's basically a massively souped up, interactive version of the MetaPete.ms script that shipped with Max2. To run:
  1. Open up MaxScript in the utility panel.
  2. Select "Run Script".
  3. Browse to where pNURBS-1_5.ms is, and pick it.
  4. "PsuedoNURBS 1.5" will now appear in the MAXScript dropdown for selection.
Here's a quick rundown of the interface:

-Pick Object: pick an object to work with.

-Enable/Disable PsuedoNURBS: this toggles the object's meshsmoothed appearance on and off. While this is on, you can work on the wireframe lattice and see your changes update in the meshsmoothed version automatically.

Note that this is a "persistent" effect. This means that you can select an object with the Pick Object button, turn PsuedoNURBS on, then use pick object again and pick an entirely different object, and turn PsuedoNURBS on for that object too. Later, you are free to re-pick the first object (with the Pick Object button), and the Enable/Disable button still functions properly. This is really just a long winded way of saying "you can't mess up an object by attempting to smooth it twice".

The four radiobuttons in the Tessellation/Properties area set how much your mesh is tessellated.

Below that there is a dropdown list with four choices. When you choose one, its corresponding value is show in the spinner to the right, which you can then change. The four choices are: Smooth, Relax, Strength, and Sharpness. Relax, Strength, and Sharpness act the same as on the standard meshsmooth modifier.

The smooth spinner basically does the same thing as the Smooth modifier, but acts a bit differently depending on what it is set to. Here's an outline of the values this spinner can have: Manual Update and checkbox: When the checkbox is off (default), the lattice and mesh update at the same time, in realtime. This can be slow for large meshes. Turning the checkbox on enables the Manual Update button. Then the mesh won't update as you edit the lattice, until you actually hit the Manual Update button.

Lattice/Mesh checkboxes: simply toggles the visibility of the lattice or mesh. Handy for test renders, or when you're editing a large lattice and the mesh is just adding visual clutter.

There are also some modifiable startup settings at the top of the script:
If there's something more you want this script to do,
e-mail me! I'm interested in all feedback (what do you like, what DON'T you like)? Any future updates should be available at footools.com.

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Revision History

Version 0.xx (late 97): Version 1.0 (4.8.98): Version 1.5 (9.27.98): Version 1.53 (7.29.99):
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Disclaimer:
While this script has been reasonably tested, and it _shouldn't_ do nasty things to you, your computer, or anything you may or may not have come in contact with at any point in your life, I will not be held responsible if it does. Use it at your own risk.

You may not modify and re-release any part of this script collection without contacting me first.

If this script doesn't do something you think it should or you find bugs, please e-mail me at
[email protected].

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