blueprint / cross section setup

[firefly]

the "normal" setup (top,front etc) isn´t the problem.
I´ve some probs with the cross sections:
in many aircraft drawings (from airwar.ru f.e.) there are lots of cross sections.
If i make a multi/sub material with about 20 cross section and put them on 20 planes with mat ID´s from 1 to 20, my computer have some performence probs.
If i make for every cross section a singel material, there aren´t enough free slots.

my question to all:
what´s the best way to solve this in 3dsmax :confused:

thanx
ff

[kevjon]

I include all the cross sections in my front view blueprint of the aircraft. Half of each cross section is traced with a spline and then mirrored to create the full cross section.

Each of the splines are moved into the correct spot in 3d space in the top and side views. I keep all these cross section splines on a seperate layer where they can be frozen. Turn off the option "show frozen in gray" on the layer properties. Freeze the cross section layer and start modelling.

[zarroun]

Here's a pretty good example of the setup:
http://www.colacola.se/wip_p47_refsetup.htm
It's not for max, but you'll get the idea.

[Skyraider3D]

I usually stick them all on one rectangular image and move this in place when and where I need it.