Create a spiral staircase, using arrays in 3D Studio MAX

Arrays of Objects

In the lesson on modifiers, we learned how to create an array of multiple objects. We briefly recall - this is done by pressing Shift, when an object is clickable. In the dialog box Clone Options (appears after the move is complete), we can specify the number of copies (Number of Copies), not to get a duplicate, and the right of us ..

Figure 1. Clone Options dialog box

If you change the value from the unit on, say, 20, 20 we can see our objects instead of one. The distance between the objects will be equal to that to which you moved the source object to copy.

Figure 2. Fence. When you move the first peg hit Shift, and in the opened window dialogovm indicate the number of copies (Number of Copies).

So, with a copy oobektov standing in a row, it's simple. But try to use the same method with the tool Select and Rotate, when you need to create a circular array. For example, as shown below.

Figure 3. The planet with 20 moons.

For a start do zagatovku scene.

Figure 4. Everything is ready for copying at the sphere.

Now hold down the Shift key and rotate the sphere around maenkuyu axis Z. You do not work. More precisely, it will, but not what we need: a copy of the sphere coincides completely with the original.
This is because the axis of rotation is inside the object, and we need that she was out of it.
To move the local coordinate system (the object at the same time, naturally, should be vydeln) need to go to the tab Hierarchy => Pivot => Affect Pivot Only. Thus we find ourselves in edit mode lokalonoy coordinates of the selected object.

Thus we find ourselves in edit mode lokalonoy coordinates of the selected object (large arrows appear-axis). While the button is pressed Affect Pivot Only, all manipulations are performed not on the selected objects, and above the centers of their local coordinate systems.

Our goal - to combine the center of a small sphere with center large enough to subsequently rotate the "satellite" around "the planet."Move with the Select and Move center of a small ball in the center of a large. For convenience, you can turn binds to the centers of local systems (Pivot), so as not to mix them in the eye (on how to enable the binding is described in tutorial "Using Bindings to the exact construction of facilities").

Next, exit edit mode Pivot (<squeeze> Affect Pivot Only button in the Pivot section tabs Hierarchy). After this, hold down the Shift key on your keyboard, make the object rotate about the axis Z (vertical). Turning on a small corner of the mouse button and set number of copies (about 20). After that, we have duplicated objects around the displaced Pivot.

Figure 5. Duplicate satellites.

Complicate the problem - create a kind of exotic chandeliers made of bamboo.

Figure 6. Similarity ekzrticheskoy chandeliers made ​​of bamboo.

In this figure the objects, in addition to revolve around the displaced Pivot, also displaced vertically by a value. Achieve this result, using the clone (Shift), you will not end. It needs a more powerful tool - Array ("array"). It is located in the menu Tools => Array.

Figure 7.Raspolozhenie Instrument Array.

So, create a cylinder, select it and run the Array. A dialog box appears.

Figure 8. Dialog Box Array.

This tool is designed to create groups of objects in a specific sequence, is used for this movement of objects - Move, rotate - Rotate and Scale - Scale. The array has two groups of parameters responsible for these changes:
• Incremental - the value to which will be moved, rotated or scaled every other object in the array.
• Totals - is the total value of which will be located a specified number of objects. Here, the distance between them is selected by the instrument Array.
Mainly used in practice, a group of Incremental (it is enabled by default). To toggle the Move, Rotate or Scale from one group to another, you need to change to switch the arrow next to the parameter.

Figure 9. Switching option group Move in Totals.

Our goal is to every other object has been rotated, for example, a 10 oz. at Z (meaning Rotate the Z set equal to 10) and shifted to Z, for example, 5 (value-axis Move Z = 5). To set the number of copies, to find the parameter Count. Objects can be cloned in several modesCopy and Instance: 
Copy - copies of the independent (ie, a slope parameters of the objects are independent). 
Instance - a copy of the dependent (ie, changing the parameters of a single object array change settings for all the other duplicates).

Create the desired object by clicking on Knop OK.

Simulation of the spiral staircase with a handrail

To start, create step: Box object with parameters Length = 70, Width = 150, Height = 5.

Figure 10. Step.

Note:

Create Box, using the Keyboard Entry, in the window Perspective. This affects the location of the object otonositelno space. If you try to press the Create button in another viewport, the object is located in a different way.

Since the spiral staircase will then need to change the step, narrowing her side, which will look <inside>. This can be done by using a modifier Taper. Applying it to the object, set the following values ​​of Amount = -1, and the axes of the effect of Primary - X, Effect - Y. We obtain the following object:

Figure 11. The step after prmeneniya modifier Taper.

Now we need to move the Pivot the resulting object to get the rotation of the spiral staircase. Pivot to displace the X (the axis in the direction which narrows the step) at 110. Next, using the Array, creating a spiral staircase around a displaced Pivot.

Figure 12. Using the Array to create a spiral staircase.

Recommendations:

The value of the angle of rotation of each subsequent object is better to specify about 25 °. The number of copies, select your own.

Set to consolidate the material

Create a spiral staircase supporting pillar (a cylinder), as well as railings, using to create them with values ​​obket Cylinder Height = 80, Radius = 3

Recommendations for the assignment of modeling spiral staircase:

To create a railing, you can use a group of objects: a support railing + railing curved fragments (cylinder + modifier Bend), which will dock with the subsequent fragment.

Figure 13. Stairs (red highlighted item railings, consisting of two cylinders).

Figure 14. Finished staircase.