problem making gearwheel [beginner]

[taco123]

hi there!

i tried to make a gearwheel in max.

i hadthe shape allready in adobe illustrator and imported it.

there are to wheels - one in the other.

now i try to to merge the outer wheel-shape (of one wheel) with the inner one, so that i have the inner shape as hole in the outer ... (hard to explain for me

better you watch the file here (only 145kb):

http://www.brainkiller.de/wheels.max

the to wheels in the files have to be extruded.

would be nice if someone can give me a hint what function subtracts a shape from another (making holes)

thx!

 

[leonec]

Well it sounds like to me that you are tring to use a boolean operation. do not do this. The boolean operations do not work that well in max.

instead do this.

Start with you bigger shape and convert it to a spline (if it is not all ready one) and do the same to the smaller shape. Then use the attach tool located in the modify menu under your spline and select the smaller shape. Then add a edit mesh modifier to your stack and select the polygon sub object and select your gear. Then all that is left to do it extrude it any amount that you want.

What is good about this is you can go back down the stact to the spline and adjust the shape any way that you want.