error when grouping objects

[leo.surrealismo]

I´m having a problem trying to group objects. this is the process when its happening:

1. create a geometry.
2. mirror and instanced the geometry.
3. group both geometries.
4. the group is created but the mirrored objects moves randomly, the original geometry stays in it´s position.

anybody knows whats going on? I´m using 3dsmax 2016 sp2

thank you

[tashko.zashev]

There should be something in the model or the elements.
Try to add "Reset XForm" to this the model before doing any operations.

[leo.surrealismo]

I did that and the problem persists!

[tashko.zashev]

Can you attach part of the scene file here ?

[leo.surrealismo]

sure, this is the file.

thank you

[tashko.zashev]

Thank you.

Actually Reset Xform worked for me. Here is what I did
> Select all objects > select Reset Xform from Utilities tab > Reset selected

[leo.surrealismo]

yes it works, thank you, The only thing I regret about that solution is that I loose my instanced geometry.

[Donald2B]

Any time you mirror geometry, a negative scale is being applied to that object and that can create problems when grouping things.

IMHO, I would NOT group anything, just link all relevant objects to a dummy helper and use the helper to position / rotate the object. That way you can keep all of your instance and modifier layers intact.

[leo.surrealismo]

thank you Troy, didn´t know that.

[Donald2B]

Personally, I avoid groups at all costs. They are just a pain to work with. I also avoid using the Mirror modifier or any type of mirror tool within max. If I need to do anything like that, I tend to lean towards using symmetry modifier. It tends to create less issues.

[leo.surrealismo]

how do you deal when you have for example a 20 story building, and every floor is exactly the same? what I always do is model a floor, group it and make an array.

[Neilg]

Groups are fine, just dont group a thousand objects and put that inside a group inside a group inside a group.

If you mirror stuff then then reset xform, convert to poly and flip the normals back. Don't try and keep instances across mirrors.

[leo.surrealismo]

every day, we learn something new. Thank you!

[Morbid Angel]

how do you deal when you have for example a 20 story building, and every floor is exactly the same? what I always do is model a floor, group it and make an array.

If you want to approach this setup with complexity, its probably best to model one floor then xref it into an assembly scene x number of times you have the floor. Alternatively you can make a vray proxy of the whole thing and instance that around. Grouping in max is not the best option as people pointed out. Linking to a dummy and instancing that around is probably better.

[Donald2B]

Great responses by everyone!

It really depends on how big the file is going to get. If we are talking about a high-rise building, I'm probably going to go the XRef route. Edit one floor and they all will update.

I really like that by linking everything to a dummy, makes it really easy to just double-click the dummy to select all the objects linked to it. Then just instance those objects as many times as needed. Go and rename the dummy helpers appropriately and move on.

Good luck!