ScriptSpot

Script

View Slicer

By Jeff Lim · 2008-11-25

Version
0.17
Version requirement
3ds Max 9
Date updated
2008-12-12
Votes
34
Description

Able to draw a spline over the current view angle to use as a slicer for a selected object.

Additional Info

Video Links:

Basic Usage:
  1. Press "Enable View Slicer".
  2. Select an object to slice.
  3. Tumble around the viewport (perspective or ortho) to set your slicing view.
  4. Press "Slice" to enable the slice state.
  5. Now draw or create any spline shape in the view (defaults to Line shape).
  6. Press "Slice" again to exit the slice state, the target object will be sliced.

Options:

Slicer Methods

  • Internally makes use of ProBoolean and ProCutter to slice an object.
  • (Closed) means that the object will most likely have volume (no holes/open edges).
    • the output depends on whether the mesh was open or not before slicing.
  • (Open) means that the internal faces generated by the slice will be deleted.
    • good for creating fragments which can be later used for shelling.

Display

  • Show Grid, Show Bounding Box
    • Displays viewport helpers to aid when drawing shapes in view.
  • Depth Offset, Size Offset
    • Sets parameters for the grid and Bounding Box.
  • Transparent/Wireframe Unselected
    • These options helps to easily select and view objects to slice.
    • Wireframe Unselected was meant to work in combination with Views > Shade Selected.

Custom Layer

  • Able to assign the resulting sliced objects to a new (or existing) layer automatically.
  • GET - A window will appear to let you pick from a an existing layer name
Post Spline Operation
  • Auto-Extend Spline
    • Sets whether to extend the end points of the spline towards the bounding box border.
  • Threshold (%)
    • Is the directional accuracy, result of getting the percentage value of a point along the length of the spline.
    • Usually better to just leave it to the default 1.0% (I might remove this option on the next release)

Slicer Object:

Material

  • Enable this to automatically assign a material and material ID to the slicer object.
  • The material ID number set in here will most likely be assigned to the internal faces of the resulting slice.
  • GET - Will get the material of the current object selected for slicing.

Fractal

  • Enable fractal to create a noised slicer object.
  • Fractal Drop Down List:
    • Noise
      • Noise Modifier Based
    • Noise Fractal
      • Noise Modifier Based with Fractal ON
    • Displace [Noise]
      • Displace Modifier Based with a Noise Map
    • Displace [Noise] Fractal
      • Displace Modifier Based with a Noise Map set to Fractal
    • Displace [Cellular]
      • Displace Modifier Based with a Cellular Map
    • Displace [Cellular] Fractal
      • Displace Modifier Based with a Cellular Map set to Fractal
  • Parameters:
    • Subdivisions = [Subdivide] size value.
    • Smoothing = [Smooth] Threshold angle.

Preview

  • Able to preview the mesh result of the slicer object generated from the spline.
  • Also works when fractal is ON.
    • changing the settings of the fractal will update the preview mesh.
Restore to Slicing View
  • Once in "Slice" state, the last slicing view angle was saved internally, press this button to revert back to that view.

* This script doesnt work with a selection of objects (yet). 😢

Update Info

2008-12-13

  • a minor fix to an error when using non editable splines with auto-extend turned O
  • uploaded v0.17 videos

2008-12-11

  • fixed material ID bug
  • auto extend spline enabled
  • added cutter (open) slicing methods
  • some UI enhancements
  • some INI file loading fixes
  • added fractal types

2008-12-09

  • added layer assignment

2008-11-25

  • initial public release
Attachments

Tags: slice, cut, chunks, fracture

Comments (18)

Update

ghostpro278 · 2022-09-15

very helpful script, can you update it

where is update of view slice

a_dmi_n · 2012-06-01

hi thanks for script its nice please give me if you have update of max2010

one808 · 2010-04-28

great,thankyou.

Ankebut · 2010-02-28

@jeff: will be there a proper working version for max 2010? Procutter does not work (deletes objects)

Waxmodeler · 2010-02-27

will this work in max 8. I keep getting an error when I try to use it in Max 8: I get the following errors:

--Unknown Property: "CreateCutter" in undefined.

Will this work in Max 8 I was trying to use view_slicer_0.17.01.ms
the max listener displays the following:
view_slicer_0.17.01.msPainterInterface End Paint Session
-- Error occurred in qProCut(); filename: C:\Program Files (x86)\Autodesk\3dsMax8\userscripts\view_slicer_0.17.01.ms; position: 30148
-- Frame:
-- arr: undefined
-- a: $viewSlicerTemporaryObjectsLINE_01
-- pre_count: 3
-- b: $Sphere01
-- count: undefined
-- offset: undefined
-- ProCutter: undefined
-- called in chk_slice.changed(); filename: C:\Program Files (x86)\Autodesk\3dsMax8\userscripts\view_slicer_0.17.01.ms; position: 38517
-- Frame:
-- MaterialMod: undefined
-- arr: undefined
-- state: false
>> MAXScript Rollout Handler Exception: -- Unknown property: "CreateCutter" in undefined <<

Ankebut · 2010-02-27

Hi jefferson

you wanted to update the script because procutter doesnt work @ max 2010 (deletes objects)

any progress there? Hope yes because I urgently need it :)
very handy script!

GrandScheme · 2009-11-26

This is the BEST thing I have seen for slicing objects! The really great thing is that you included fractal cuts so the fractures look real. THANK YOU.
Having said that...Max 2010 seems to have a little trouble with the script. Are you ever going to update it? It would sure be great if you could.
Thanks again!
Dave

Ankebut · 2009-11-04

Hi Jeff

already tried ProBoolean type but it is extremely buggy, sometimes my mesh disappears, sometimes i get a weird looking mesh...ProBoolean doesnt seem to work fine @ me...

For the MZP: You can upload it (if you want), after you have fixed the procutter method...if you want of course.

It would be really useful for manual pre fracturing.

Thanks in advance and sorry for my crappy englisch :)

Jeff Lim · 2009-11-04

yeah I guess I should look into the ProCutter issue first before uploading an mzp version.

Thanks, I will try to look into this problem as soon as possible.

Ankebut · 2009-11-03

@Jefferson Lim: Your script is very very useful...but I am using max 2010 x64 and it deletes, like you mentioned my object!

Please Update it! Any ETA?

AND: it would be really nice, if you could make an .mzp or something like that, so that i can acces via tool shortcut or Icon.

Best Regards

Jeff Lim · 2009-11-04

@Ankebut
MY apologies, I haven't had the time to look into this. Have you tried the suggested workaround above?

"As a temporary workaround, you could change the Slicer Method to a ProBoolean type. By default, it is using the ProCutter type.."

> it would be really nice, if you could make an .mzp

Sure, no problem, I'll see if I can upload an additional macroscript (mzp) version by the end of the day.

Thanks,

Jeff

darthmikael · 2009-05-07

This is s great tool.
But in max 2010 this script delete the sliced object
Maybe needs some rewrite for 2010

Jeff Lim · 2009-05-09

Thanks!

I just tested it on my 2010 trial, it does delete the object.

As a temporary workaround, you could change the Slicer Method to a ProBoolean type. By default, it is using the ProCutter type..

Something must have changed with the way ProCutter handles it's operands. I'll look into it and update the script if I have time.

lukashi · 2008-12-15

Love it!

Jeff Lim · 2008-12-09

oops, a friend found a small bug.. the material ID is hard-coded to 2.. so setting it in the UI doesnt update it internally. I'll post a quick fix asap.

btw, thanks masquerade! :D

Jeff Lim · 2008-12-11

Fixed the bug, and added a couple of updates and features.
I may also need to create a new video-how-to-usage in youtube..

Jeff Lim · 2008-12-13

finally uploaded the videos on youtube. :D

masquerade · 2008-11-25

That tool is really handy! Thank you for sharing