3ds Max at a Glance

This book presents the core 3ds Max features in pages packed with striking graphics that perfectly illustrate the concepts. Each page is loaded with detailed explanations on crucial components, such as the 3ds Max interface, rendering settings, modeling and animation tools, and so on. Engaging step-by-step lessons and tasks provide hands-on reinforcement. You'll create textures, learn rigging, bring biped characters to life—even create hair with this beautiful, full-color guide.

It's the perfect introduction to 3ds Max 2008, but will serve you well for most versions of 3ds Max.

Chapter 1, Introduction to 3ds Max: This chapter gives you the basic road map so you know where things are in 3ds Max. You’ll understand the basic interface, file management, and how to navigate within the package.
Chapter 2, Modeling: Modeling is the starting point for creating a 3D scene. Modeling is the digital equivalent of sculpting, and in this chapter you’ll learn how to sculpt surfaces by using wireframes and patches instead of clay and stone.
Chapter 3, Creating Textures: 3ds Max’s texture tools give you the freedom to color and shade your surfaces in any way desired. This chapter covers the creation of shaders and textures, as well as how to map those textures on a model.
Chapter 4, Lighting: This chapter covers the many methods for adding and manipulating light within the scene.
Chapter 5, Rendering: Rendering in 3ds Max can be done by using the program’s own tools or the mental ray renderer. This chapter explains all the rendering features and effects for both renderers, including mental ray’s global illumination and caustics tools.
Chapter 6, Character Deformations and Rigging: 3ds Max offers several tools for deforming meshes as well as rigging characters for animation. This chapter shows how to rig a character as well as explaining topics such as skeletons, deformers, and skinning.
Chapter 9, Animation: Animation is where you bring a scene to life. This chapter covers 3ds Max’s animation tools, including the Curve Editor and Dope Sheet as well as the Motion panel.
Chapter 8, Character Studio: Character Studio has tools such as Biped that can be used to animate characters, create automatic walks and runs, and apply motion capture data.
Chapter 9, Special Effects: Special effects artists use 3ds Max’s dynamics tools to accurately simulate reality. This chapter gives a good overview of particle systems and the forces that affect them as well as hard and soft body dynamics.
Chapter 10, Hair and Cloth: 3ds Max has tools to create realistic hair, fur, and cloth. This chapter goes over the basics of these tools and shows you how to style a great virtual hairdo and sew a stylish virtual shirt.