Slope deformations depending on vertex // Array 2S, Extend to Clipping Area

[nubo]

Hi,

I've noticed that when you use the Array 2S generator with "Extend X/Y size to Area" turned on in the "Clipping Area" with "Auto align to spline" and project that onto a sloped surface you get different results depending on the direction of the generated array.
In this mode the direction of the array is defined by the first two vertices of the spline and when that direction is parallel to the direction of the slope then the objects are generated correctly but in every other case they get deformed.
The level of deformation depends on a) the steepness of the slope, b) the difference between the direction of the array and local direction of the slope.
Please see the attached.

Is there or will be any solution to that?

Rail Clone 6.1.4
3DS Max 2023.3.4

Best regards,
Przemek

[Michal Karmazín]

Hi Przemek,

Which Default Segment Mode are you using? The Tile Mode shouldn't lead to any deformations. In case of any further troubles with it, please feel free to send us / upload your scene and we'll check it here. Thanks in advance.

Best regards,

[nubo]

Thanks Michal,

I use the "Tile" mode.

For some reason I can't attach the scene (1MB) I get a file size error.
So here's a link do the file: https://mab.to/t/lYCv93zHLmq/eu1

P.

[Michal Karmazín]

When using the Auto Align option, arrays are aligned automatically to each sub-spline - in the case of the to Spline mode, the X axis is aligned with the Spline's first segment, which in your case results in different "directions" and features like the Geometry > Slope will use this direction. Disabling the Deform > Bend option or enabling the Deform > Force Instance avoids any deformation of the used segments. I hope that clears it up.

Best regards,

[nubo]

Thanks Michal,

We use "Align to Spline" mode a lot in our presets, to control the direction of pavement slabs etc.

When I turn off "Bend" the deformation is gone, but the problem with distribution remains, see attached screenshot.
You can see that the appearance differs depending on the direction of the first segment of the spline.

I feel like it's possible to solve it mathematically with some expression but I didn't have time to dig deeper.