Plan.patch.poly.tweak.done!?

Hi, I am currently getting used to the tools in Max, and I am eager not to become reliant on external plugins or programs to create a model. As a former Blender user (for the most part), I am used to working very fast with edges. While in Blender, I devised a kind of patch style modeling that proved to be a very fast work flow and resulted in clean models. I'd model the edges of a 4 sided piece of surface with quads, and make sure there were the same amount of devisions on the opposite sides. Then I'd fill this space with square polygons. In Blender I could do this very fast, but in Max the process is a little slower. I know to extrude edges with shift, I how to use chamfer and cut and connect and bridge and all that. I made sure to learn all I could about manipulating Polygons in Max, and took notes for later reference. But even then the process just seemed a little slow.

I understand that maybe I should try box modeling, and I have done that before... but I have another idea that I want to ask you seasoned professionals about.

What if I created highly detailed concept art, front and side, drew where the patches were going to go. Then lets say I modeled the character in patches, defining a good topology. Then what if I converted that into polygons for further modeling and tweaking? I have worked with patches, and it feels like there would need to be a lot of planning ahead, but that they are fast to work with. I have also continued a model made in Blender inside Max, tweaking it and making a uv. From my point of view, it looks like patches are a God-send, and the key to fast character modeling.

What do you Max professionals think? Is this a good idea, do yo do it? Or am I just being a n00b?

The below images are from an old model I'm not working on anymore. They show how I work. Bodyloops2 shows the finished model.

Hmm well personally I've never used patches.

My method is usually as follows:

Setup ref image in viewport that's basically a side view of the concept art.

Using the edit poly tools, starting with a plane...extrude and chamfer edges until all necessary poly loops are created (basically, on a flat surface aligned to the side view).

Once the loops are in place, just drag them out to give the mesh volume ...using front-view image refs for help. Then mirror, weld and smooth

Yeah, I'm starting to see that I shouldn't use patches for characters either. It's very precise... too precise. It would be better for cars or something. I played around with your idea Ivan, because it's been a while since I did it like that. Thanks, but I think I'll continue modeling the way I was before.

I used to start with patches then go to poly. I still do sometimes, depending on the shape.

I usually start by planning the general flow of geometry, then I build a low poly version of my object either starting with a plane or a box, depending on the shape. Unlike Tyson I like to work in 3d always, so when i extrude an edge I do so in perspective, and position generally where it should go.
I then start cutting and joining edges until I capture all the details I need.

Check out the polyboost plugin too. I use it a lot in max.

I model in perspective too. I think one of the problems I have been having is that I worried too much about matching up the verts in the middle When I ignore keeping the middle exactly matched up, I can work faster, and match up the middle later.

I gave Polyboost a shot. It's great, but I don't need it. I can't justify $120 for it that's for sure.

I'm not sure I get what you mean when you say "verts in the middle". The seam?

Lining up verticies to zero on the x axis for symmetrical modeling. It's no big deal really. I even found a script to do that for me.

I select all the middle vertices and scale them on the x axis, and they all line up.