3D Studio MAX R3 Bible

Summary

Master valuable 3D modeling and animation skills to create spectacular visual effects with 3D Studio MAX R3 Bible. Each chapter in this authoritative guide helps you harness the power of MAX's specialized tools, effects, and utilities: * Familiarize yourself with the new features in R3, understand the interface, and discover how to configure and customize MAX. * Learn how to reference, select, transform, and modify models, cameras, lights, and any other object that can be viewed in a viewport. * Model objects by working on primitives, spline shapes, meshes, patches, NURBS, and a variety of specialized compound objects, including Lofts and Morphs. * Control light and cameras, as well as several lighting special effects and camera utilities. * Use particle systems and space warps to enhance any MAX scene. * Create animated scenes with keyframing, Track View, and Controllers. * Extend the features of MAX with plug-ins. The jam-packed CD-ROM includes exclusive Bible plug-ins, including Brick Object, Gear Object, Rainbow Effect, and more. It also offers sample 3D models and complete tutorial files to help you take full advantage of MAX 3R.

Author Biography

About the Author Kelly Murdock has been involved with more computer books than he cares to count  to the point that he avoids the computer book section of the bookstore, except for the graphics section, which still remains an obsession. His book credits include various Web and multimedia titles, including contributions of various editions of HTML Unleashed and Laura Lemay's Web Workshop: 3D Graphics and VRML 2. With a background in Engineering and Computer Graphics, Kelly has been all over the 3D industry. He's used high-level CAD workstations for product design and analysis; completed several large-scale visualization projects; created 3D models for feature films, worked as a freelance 3D artist, and even done some 3D programming. Kelly's been using 3D Studio on and off since version 3 for DOS. He is also the creative force behind the children's Web site, Animabets.com at www.animabets.com, which is soon to be sporting several new 3D characters.

Preface

Acknowledgments

Part I: Getting Started with 3D Studio MAX R3

(96)

What's New in Release 3

(20)

Exploring the MAX Interface

(38)

Customizing the MAX Interface

(36)

Part II: Working with Objects

(172)

Referencing External Objects

(10)

Importing and Exporting

109

(30)

Cloning Objects and Using Arrays

139

(30)

Selecting and Grouping Objects

169

(20)

Transforming Objects

189

(34)

Modifying Objects

223

(46)

Part III: Modeling

269

(198)

Creating Primitive Objects

271

(24)

Working with Spline Shapes

295

(42)

Working with Meshes

337

(26)

Creating Patches

363

(22)

Creating Loft Objects

385

(22)

Building Compound Objects

407

(34)

Working with NURBS

441

(26)

Part IV: Materials and Maps

467

(118)

Exploring the Material Editor

469

(52)

Using Material Maps

521

(40)

Working with Materials and Maps

561

(24)

Part V: Lights and Cameras

585

(72)

Controlling Lights

587

(24)

Lighting Special Effects

611

(14)

Controlling Cameras

625

(14)

Camera Matching and Tracking

639

(18)

Part VI: Particle Systems and Space Warps

657

(70)

Creating and Controlling Particle Systems

659

(26)

Using Space Warps

685

(34)

Particle System Special Effects

719

(8)

Part VII: Model Systems

727

(48)

Building Linked Hierarchies

729

(20)

Using Schematic View

749

(10)

Creating an Inverse Kinematics System

759

(16)

Part VIII: Animation

775

(118)

Animation Basics

777

(14)

Working with the Track View

791

(28)

Animatingwith Controllers

819

(40)

Using Expressions

859

(18)

Creating a Dynamic Simulation

877

(16)

Part IX: Rendering and Post-Production

893

(126)

Working with Backgrounds, Environments, and Atmospheric Effects

895

(22)

Setting Rendering Parameters

917

(20)

Using Render Effects

937

(24)

Using Network Rendering

961

(32)

Using the Video Post Interface

993

(26)

Part X: Extending MAX

1019

(56)

Extending MAX with Plug-Ins

1021

(12)

Using MAXScript

1033

(42)

Appendix A: Configuring a Sysem for 3D Studio MAX

1075

(12)

Appendix B: Exclusive Bible Plug-Ins

1087

(10)

Appendix C: What's On the CD-ROM?

1097

(4)

Index

1101

(51)

End-User License Agreement

1152

(4)

CD-ROM Installation Instructions

1156

Supplemental Materials

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.