Table of Contents

Utility: Object Line Types

This allows you to set the line types on an object-by-object basis.

Assigning line types

To assign line types, first select the 3ds Max object (or objects) that you want to modify. Then click the check boxes to specify which line type you want (silhouette, creases, contours, etc.) for that object. Finally, click the Assign to selected objects button.

Example

For example, let's say that you have two shapes: a sphere and a soccer ball (picture 1 below).

Therefore, for these particular objects, it is best to select the Silhouette and Contours line types for the sphere, and the MAX-defined line type for the soccer ball (picture 5).

1: Original shaded objects 2: Default line types 3: Silhouette and Contours
4: MAX-defined 5: Silhouette and Contours
for the sphere, MAX-defined
for the soccer ball

For the Contour line type, you can specify the contour axis. This is discussed in detail on the Contour axis topic page.

Special effects

In addition to the standard line types, there are three other line types available in this panel. These give you more control over the objects being rendered and allow special effects.

Original shaded objects Show backfaces and
Transparency disabled
Soccer ball with
Show backfaces enabled
Soccer ball with
Transparency enabled

Note that transparency and backfaces are two separate and different options. Making an object transparent does not allow you to see that object’s backfaces. Likewise, showing an object’s backfaces does not allow you to see through that object to other objects.

Cone object without
Prevent Errant Lines
Cone object with
Prevent Errant Lines
  1. To produce a hole in the laser output that exactly matches video or a slide. For example, to do laser on top of video, render the 3ds Max scene twice: once normally (AVI output) to produce the video background, and once using Lasershow Converter MAX to produce the laser overlay. For the video's AVI file, make the laser objects invisible. For the laser file, use Prevent Laser Output so the video objects are not visible.
  2. To do multi-scanner shows. For example, for a two-scanner-head show, render the 3ds Max scene twice: once for scanner 1 and once for scanner 2. For scanner 1, use Prevent Laser Output on all objects to be projected by scanner 2. Similarly, for scanner 2, use Prevent Laser Output for all objects to be projected by scanner 1.
  3. To hide certain objects (such as walls used to block the camera from seeing other objects) and keep them from producing points.

See Also


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