Collapse to mesh script command?

[ericmorin]

Trying to make a script that automates a conversion process. Thanks to everyone earlier that responed.. I have one more question.
I'm trying without success to find the MaxScript command that will perform a Collapse Stack function with the Options set to "Collapse to Mesh" (not modifier stack result) and output type to Multiple Objects.
I've scoured the reference and the Listener doesn't report anything back..
I've tried convertToMesh() and collapseStack().. perhaps I'm missing some arguements?
Thanks, Eric

Actually what I think I really need is a way to add a Reset Xform modifier to the mesh.
I to addModifier $box (Xform())
and it adds a modifier but it just doesn't add the same kind of modifier (or to the same settings) ad doing it via the utilities menu!

[dpotter]

eric:
The method you first posted should work fine. Something like this:

addModifier node (Turn_to_Mesh())
collapseStack node

That should do it.
Dagan

[ericmorin]

Thanks for the help..
I tried that method, backwards and forwards.. it just seems that doing the Reset Xform from the utilities menu adds some kind of 'special sauce' to the mix.
Because if I do it via the Utilities menu, clicking on the mesh and Xform modifier in the stack (before you collapse) will show the pivot points moved.
If i apply it in scripting, I don't get the same response in the way the GUI does... argghh.

-ericmorin

[bobo]

Reset XForm is a very special beast. It resets all object-level transformations (position, rotation and scaling) and stores their original values in the XForm modifier below the transforms.

As you probably know, there are two ways to apply transformations in 3ds max
- object level transforms reside on top of the stack and only Space Warps can sit higher
- you can have transformations in local space by scaling the mesh or by applying an XForm modifier to keep hem procedural.

It is technically possible to do the same as Reset XForm in MAXScript, but there is no access to the Reset XForm utility so you cannot just call it from your script.

[wolvie]

You can also perform a "reset Xform" function manually by doing the following:

1. Create a box somwhere in your scene
2. Collapse the box to an editable mesh
3. Select the box object and go into the modifier stack, press the button called "attach" and then click on the mesh that you wish to have it transform reset.
4. Go into the element sub-object mode and select the original box.
5. Press delete (this will remove the original box).

You can easily create a simple maxscript that auotmates this process for you, thus making it painless and quick.