3DS MAX Boolean / Kinematic Question

[FalTorPan]

I have a (yes, licensed) copy of 3DS MAX (archaic version 2.5), and I'm trying to make a Boolean operand be a child of some other object. In other words, I've...

1. Created a sphere
2. Created a box that half-overlaps the sphere
3. Created a Boolean object with the sphere as Operand A, and the box as Operand B. The box is subtracted from sphere.
4. Created a cylinder.

Now I want to be able to change the Boolean object's box operand's position and rotation by moving or rotating the cylinder.

How do I do that? Normally I'd use MAX's "select and link" button, and make the desired child object a child of the desired parent object. Unfortunately in this case, the box is an operand of the boolean object. "Select and link" links the entire boolean object to the sphere.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

 

[RedSpar]

If I understand the question (and I am not sure I do), you are trying to animate the box operand boolean going thru the sphere? Otherwise I don't see a reason why you would do it. What are you trying to do?

 

[FalTorPan]

That's exactly what I'm trying to do, but I want the clipping of the sphere to happen based on how the cylinder is moved or rotated.

 

[RedSpar]

OK, link the box and the cylinder. Then make the your start and finish keyframes of where you want the box to move by rotating the cylinder, then perform the boolean. When you move the animation slider you should see the animated boolean cut. Although Max 2.5 is a long way back for me so I can't guarantee that it will work. I tested it and it works in Max 9.

Be aware that animating booleans (especially in Max 2.5) will be very prone to nasty mesh and texture errors. There are other ways of going about the same thing (slice modifer)

 

[FalTorPan]

I'll try both what you've suggested and the Slice modifier. I've generally found more success with the Slice modifier than I have with Booleans, but this morning using a Slice modifier didn't occur to me.

Thanks!