Modelling
1. Meshsmooth only the selected faces by
un-checking the 'apply to entire mesh' box in the options.
If you use Non-uniform scaling (scaling in less than all 3 axes at the same
time) on a model it will cause distortion problems when animating, however
non-uniform scaling within a sub-object mode will not cause the same problems.
When in Edit Poly or Mesh, hitting 1,2,3,4 etc will cycle through the
sub-object selections, and when in edit poly hiting 6 will take you out of the
subobject mode. Also, Ctrl + B will cycle in/out of sub object mode.
Alt+X = See-though or X-Ray mode
To rotate around a particular vertex, select your object (or set of
sub-objects) lock the selection, choose either ![]()
or ![]()
from the drop down list, turn on vertex snap
and rotate it all by clicking on the vertex you wish as the pivot. (CLICK
HERE for more tips and tricks and 3d models)
When in sub-poly mode, creating your own keyboard shortcuts can save oodles
of time. Rather than scrolling up and down looking for "connect" and
"target weld". Just assign "ALT-C" and "ALT-W"
for example.
7.When modelling things at odd angles, (ie, arms, hands, feet etc) it helps to
create an instance of the object, straighten it out and work on that instead.
Pressing + and - changes the size of the transform gizmo.
A sub-object selection in Edit Poly can be transfered over to another one by
holding down Ctrl and clicking another mode button in the modifiy panel
selection rollout. This is particularly good for the 'Ring' and 'Loop' commands in edge mode of edit poly.
Alternatively selecting the edges/verts .etc around and area (in effect,
selecting a perimeter) and holding Shift whilst clicking a different selection
mode will transfer over only the parts within the perimeter of the original selection.
The FFD modifier is a good tool for deforming meshes, its can be applied to
a single mesh or multiple meshes simultaneously.
In later versions of max, hitting Ctrl+Backspace will remove both the edge
and the vertex when in edge subobject mode.
12.Holding down CTRL when creating a a sphere, cylinder, teapot, etc. will
allow you to rotate as you create. Holdings down CTRL when creating a box,
pyramid, plane, etc. will create an object with even length/width.
- When modeling wrinkles, folds, etc, on a curved surface, instead of moving
your row of edges on 1 axis, convert the selection to Vertex (Ctrl + Click
Vertex button under the stack) and switch your coordinate system to Local. Now,
moving the slection on the Z axis will move them perpendicularly to the
surface.
Alternatively you can use the 'Normal'
constraint found in the edit poly modify panel for the same effect although
this is only in later versions of max.
Modifiers such as Push and Noise can be applied to a soft selection on the
previous modifier so their 'strength' varies accordingly.
To stop an object turning grey when freezing it, uncheck the 'show frozen
in grey' in the object's porperties window.
Some spinner values that are limited can have that limitation overridden.
But ONLY if they are animatable. Create a key in Track View for that parameter
and edit its value there.
Now you can Relax by a negative amount or Spherify more than 100%. 
