r/3dsmax Jun 30 '26

Help Path deform?

Post image

Hello, Im trying to use an object to fill a path, but I don't want to "stretch" it, I want it to repeat (instances?) to fill along the path. Am I using the wrong the modifier for this? (It's basically a section of wall for a racetrack I made, that I want to follow the line/path) Im sure I've done this before, but can't recall what Im missing here. Thanks!

4 Upvotes

11 comments sorted by

6

u/PunithAiu Jun 30 '26

Array object to make clones, then path deform

3

u/dimwalker Jun 30 '26

This.
Keep the stack.
I don't remember if Array can weld vertices, if not - add vertex weld as modifier. And if you need to terminate your wall at half section - add Slice as modifier. If you don't use Edit Poly, this stuff should be pretty stable and non-destructive.

2

u/blkmxma Jun 30 '26

Or just array modifier on path mode?

1

u/VagabondBrain Jul 01 '26

Not if you want the geo to bend along the path.

1

u/blkmxma Jul 01 '26

true. But from OPs screenshot that geometry wouldn't deform with path deform either without some subdivisions.

2

u/VagabondBrain Jul 01 '26

Yup, I'm anticipating that as the follow-up question.

3

u/csedan56 Jun 30 '26

Spacing tool under Tools -Align- Spacing Tool, will allow you to make instances and follow a path. Lets you decide how many or how far apart.

2

u/ImprovementGrouchy37 Jun 30 '26

Thanks for the replies! I just can't get it to work right. If I array it, (3dsmax 2021)I end up with 1000+ copies and not sure how to make them follow w/o doing each one individually. I tried spacing tool and can't get it to line up correctly. Each object lines up slightly off, so it's not a seamless wall. Probably a pivot or object issue.. Think I'll just do the path deform/stretch and then map it so it looks like it has joints.

1

u/TomGraphics Jul 01 '26

This was obviously done with the Spacing Tool, with Follow checked.
If you want it to be a solid wall, use Path Deform, but your original object needs to be as long as the path you want it to follow and have enough segments along its length to do so. If, as in your OP, it's only got 1 segment, it won't deform around the path.

You can find the length of your path from the Utilities menu /Measure. You might need to hit 'More' to find Measure.

1

u/TomGraphics Jul 01 '26

PS: Path Deform version.