Editable mesh/Editable Poly

[stargames66]

In introduction to 3DS Max 2011, video #24 Building the base of the pod, I noticed the teacher converted to an editable mesh and then to an editable poly. I just converted directly to editable poly and I lost a side segment. I ended up with 8 when I started with 9. What is the difference with editable mesh and editable poly that made me lose a segment and why does creating an editable mesh and then an editable poly retain the original segments?

Thanks for any input on this....

[libertycityanimation]

In general there is no difference between an editable poly and an editable mesh that goes beyond the practical tool set as described by being either a poly object or a mesh object. Regardless of which you use every object created in 3d space is minimized to three points in space required to define area and shape.

In Poly editing a quad-poly is nothing more than two tris with the divided edge hidden. It might look square but it’s still built from triangles but the tools available to the edit poly modifier, things like loop and ring for example, requires quads to function properly.

The use of the Editable Mesh is still useful though as it does have some features available that are not available to the Editable poly.

The majority of all 3D applications support the editable mesh allowing for importing and exporting.

An Editable Mesh “will” weld vertices regardless of the condition of the object. For example a Editable Poly will not weld co-sided edges, think two plane objects with a third intersecting to create a “T” shape, which could case problems if you plan to use a simulation, create facial targets using an inner mouth, or mess up smoothing groups.

But

The number one reason why features and tools are not removed, even when they seem redundant, is 3ds Max is an applied application and once a feature is included in the box it can not be removed with out risking breaking a legacy file.

As to which you should use use what works. It’s easy enough to convert from one object type to another and it’s not a case of what works best but what works best in a given situation.
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if you run a connect on the side where you lost the seg then you max will put a seg back there

go to the poly edges select one side of the ship hold down the control and select the other side then hit the connect button box then you can the number of segs you want too

[stargames66]

Thank you very much! Everything you said makes sense. Thank you for a quick repy...

[larriola]

I prefer Edit Mesh for rectilinear type models such as furniture.
Edit Poly tool sets are great when you need to have amorphous models such as a plush teddy bear.
For example, you could extrude corner polygons of a box a box using the extrude/taper spinners of Edit Mesh Modifier, then apply a mesh-smooth modifier if you need to ease all of the edges. I know that Edit Poly tools do the same but Edit Mesh sub-object level manipulation seems more direct.

[stargames66]

I've been using editable mesh if I need to keep a certain number of sides. I then do what the instructor did in the video and convert to editable poly. At least all my sides stay intact that way. :cool:

[Mild Mustard]

I for one never use Editable Mesh, strictly Editable Poly for all my modeling. :)