Adding the Caps Using AutoGrid

Creating a Realistic Hourglass

Adding Materials

 

Autodesk 3ds Max Tutorials >  Modeling Tutorials > Creating a Realistic Hourglass > 

Adding the Posts Using Hose Objects

You can build the posts using an extended primitive called a Hose object. This makes it simple to create nice looking posts.

1. On the menu bar choose Create > Extended Primitives > Hose.
2. On the Create panel > Object Type rollout, turn on AutoGrid if it's not already on.
3. Move your cursor over the bottom chamfer cylinder. The AutoGrid tripod displays. Press and drag to set the radius of the hose.

   

4. Release the mouse button and drag upward to set the height of the post.

   

   Now you can adjust the hose parameters to modify its appearance.

5. In the Common Hose Parameters group, set the following values:
   • Starts: 37
   • Ends: 64
   • Cycles: 2
   • Diameter: –36
6. Scroll down to the Hose Shape group. Make sure Round Hose is active, and then set the following values:
   • Diameter: 3.5
   • Sides: 6

   

   Hose object used to create a post

   With the post created, you can now clone it using one of several ways. In this case you'll align the hose object's pivot point to match the pivot point of the chamfer cylinder. Then you'll use Shift+Rotate to create the other posts.

7. On the Hierarchy panel > Adjust Pivot rollout, turn on Affect Pivot Only.
8. On the menu bar choose Tools > Align, and then select the bottom chamfer cylinder.
9. In the Align Selection dialog, turn on X Position and Y Position in the Align Position group. Click OK.

   The pivot is now positioned as shown in the following illustration.

   

   Align the hose pivot with the chamfer cylinder.

10. In the Adjust Pivot rollout, turn off Affect Pivot Only.
11. On the toolbar, turn on Select And Rotate. Hold down the Shift key and move your cursor over the Transform gizmo for the post (displayed where the new pivot is located). When the Z axis ring turns yellow, rotate the post. As you move the mouse, watch the coordinate display until it reads 90 degrees, then release the mouse button.

    

    Rotate the hose 90 degrees.

    TipTo improve precision, you can turn on the Angle Snap by pressing the keyboard shortcut: A.
12. In the Clone Options dialog, make sure Instance is turned on, then set the number of copies to 3. Click OK.

    Four posts are now displayed in the viewport.

    

    Clone using Shift+Rotate.

13. Save your work. On the menu bar choose File > Save As, and save the model as MyHourglass3.max.

    Now that you've built a basic hourglass, you'll add some materials to give it some realism. After making the glass chamber transparent, you'll create the sand contained within the chamber.