I tried to structure a map in Tool, but it said "###WARNING###: Found 17 degenerate triangles," followed by a list of different shaders to choose from.
What are degenerate triangles, and is there a way to fix them in 3DS Max, or do I have to start over?

If you know geometry, it's a collinear triangle.

Find and delete that face. Now you're left with a collinear hole. Re-draw your triangles around that hole so that there is no hole. Or weld B to C, or B to A.

That sounds confusing, but I think I can do that. How would I find the triangle(s)?

Import the .wrl file. Gmax's chimp script has an import wrl button. For 3dsmax just file>import the wrl and uncheck all three boxes. The wrl file is in the custom edition folder where the exe is.

All right, I think it's fixed. I'll have to run Tool a little later to see if it worked. Thanks!

even though this isnt my thread i would like to know what i have to do if there is no .wrl file in my halo directory.

I think Tool makes the .wrl file once it's found the degenerate triangles during the 'structure/collision-geometry/model' phase of creation.

I've recently discovered that degenerate triangles are caused by extrusions. Slappy, I tried welding the surfaces, but then I only got more degenerate triangles.

You weld each individual vert location to ensure two verts aren't in one vertice's spot. You probably welded a bunch together, causing them to create degenerate. Degenerates will still allow your map to compile though and are nothing more than indicators in tool of potential map errors.

Ahh, all right. Thanks. I'll try it differently to see if it fixes the problem. :)

EDIT: Are the edges/vertices that I'm welding supposed to fade to black?


Edited by Link2262 on Jun 22, 2011 at 08:51 AM

On the left and right sides, mabye even the top and bottom, there might be some degenerate triangles.


Weld B to A or C for all sides. These three-point lines are very triangular faces all in a row.
Move one of the middle (B) points around on the wall, and you might see one of the triangles.

I tried welding b to a, but this came up:



And are the triangles without edges degenerate triangles?

Sorry, should have been specific about that welding thing. Use target weld. WIth target weld, you drag one vert onto another to weld.
Import the wrl to find all your degenerate, I really can't tell just by looking anymore.

Ahh, all right. I was using selected weld. I'll try target weld. Thanks!