In this tutorial, I'll show you how I achieved the linked star shapes on my Free 3D Model: Starfish Floor Lamp model in 3dsmax.  This technique could be useful for any number of decorative projects, like carved Easter eggs (just apply a stretch modifier to the final shape), etc.  The only limit to its application is your own imagination.  One point of order is the use of a FREE modifier addon called Megabevel, which makes short work of complex extrusion rotations, which would otherwise be time consuming to do by hand.  Thanks goes to Vladislav Gavrilov and the V.G. developers for offering the Megabevel modifier free of charge to all 3dsmax users of 3dsmax 2011 and higher (direct download link): www.vg2max.spb.ru/release/full…

Enjoy the tutorial, and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to address them in the comments, or message me here.  Here's the link to the video:

http://youtu.be/U7H4TXgCk9w

Thanks!

For some reason, the full title of the thread did not post.  Wheatpenny, if you see this, please include "Linked Star Ball" to the title for me.  I just noticed the problem, and can't edit.  Thanks.

Done.

Thanks, Jeff.

Lux, this is fantastic.  Great example of using the megabevel modifier for something really cool.  I've had the modifier installed for a while now, but never really understood the application of it, besides being able to maintain some bevels in the modifier stack, for refining later.  I wasn't aware of the "put to stack" option thing, which really creates some excellent effects, and makes this thing 100x more useful than I orginally thought.

That kind of model would be a nightmare to make by hand I think.  Thanks for showing this.  It gave me renewed interest in working with Max.  I'd been learning Blender for a while now.  I still like Max better when it comes to modelling though.  But blender began to wear on me, and I understand it more now, which helps.

Definitley looking forward to more vids like this, Lux.