This page provides the basics for setting up cameras and lighting 3ds Max. The first tutorial introduces following topics: Creating cameras Moving the camera Moving the target Functions of the camera tools The second tutorial shows you how to: Link a camera to a spline The next topic is the Mental Ray daylight system. The […]
This page shows you the basics of animations in 3ds Max. The first tutorial explains: Keyframes Time configuration Auto Key Set Key Deleting Keyframes The next tutorial explains: The different colors of keyframes Moving objects on splines (trajectories) This tutorial covers the topics mentioned above, but goes into more detail, by showing you how to […]
This page links you to the most important tutorial about creating materials in 3ds Max. Most of the tutorials show the usage of the ‘Compact Material Editor’ which is still included in the newest versions of 3ds Max. Switching between the ‘Compact Material Editor’ and the ‘Slate Material Editor’ is possible at any time. The […]
The Focus on this page is about creating complex geometry. Once you started your project you will soon realize that you need unique geometry that is not covered by the ‘standard’ or the ‘extended’ primitives. The first tutorial briefly introduces you to: Edit Mesh Sub-objects Normals Soft Selection The second tutorial explains: How Modifiers are […]
In this page, tutorial are posted to help you progress with your second project. The Focus on this page is about setting up your scene. If you organize your scene appropriately it will be a lot easier to work in 3ds Max, when your scene becomes more and more complex. The first tutorial covers following […]
The following pages will help you review for the fundamentals exam on Friday, September 10. More importantly, the concepts and skills listed are crucial to success later in the course, and to your use of 3ds Max in the future. 1. User Interface and Navigation 2. Creating and Organizing Geometry 3. Transforming and Modifying Objects 4. Lighting and […]
User Inteface and Navigation Concepts & Skills: You should be able to identify and locate: -the menu bar -the file menu (i.e. application button) -the main tool bar -the graphite modeling tools -the command panel -the time and animation controls -the time slider -the status bar -the four standard viewports: top, left, front and perspective […]
Creating and Organizing Geometry Concepts & Skills: You should be able to identify and locate: -the create tab -the layer manager -the ‘grid and snaps settings’ menu You should be able to: -create basic 2-d and 3-d primitives (e.g. box, square) via: -the mouse -keyboard entry -toggle between shaded and wireframe view (f3) -toggle ‘edged […]
Transforming and Modifying Objects Concepts & Skills: You should be able to: change the basic parameters (e.g. height, diameter) of an object add segments to an object apply basic transforms (i.e. move, rotate, scale) to an object transform an object using the gizmo restrict a transform to 1 or 2 axes transform an object using […]
Lighting and Materials Concepts & Skills: You should be able to: toggle the material editor between compact and slate modes create a new material (e.g. arch & design rubber) name a material copy a material assign a material to an object reset a material create a new ‘standard’ material change the color […]