3ds Max^® 2011 Bible

by Kelly L. Murdock

• ISBN13: 9780470617779
• ISBN10: 0470617772
• Edition: DVD
• Format: Paperback w/Disk
• Copyright: 2010-08-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

Updated version of the bestselling 3ds Max textbook on the market

Covers both 3ds Max 2011 and 3ds Max 2011 Design

The best textbook on 3ds Max, no contest

Used by more than 150,000 people, and the winner of more than 65 industry awards, 3ds Max is the world's most popular animation modeling and rendering software for film, television, video games, and design visualization. 3ds Max Bible is the world's most popular book for getting the most out of the software.

Whether a novice looking to create something immediately using the Quick Start tutorial, or an experienced 3ds Max user who simply wants to check out the software's latest and greatest features, this update to the bestselling 3ds Max textbook on the market continues to be the most comprehensive reference on this highly complex application. Packed with expert advice, timesaving tips, and more than 150 step-by-step tutorials.

16-page color insert highlights the work of some of today's most cutting-edge 3D artists

Includes a companion DVD with a searchable, full-color version of the 3ds Max Bible, as well as customizable models and textures

The only comprehensive reference-tutorial on 3ds Max, it's no wonder the 3ds Max Bible is the bestselling 3ds Max textbook in the world and a favorite of both amateur and professional animators.

If you need just one all-encompassing guide to all things 3ds Max, this textbook is it. Whether you're a beginner looking for 3D basics or a full-fledged animator seeking creative new ways to catch everyone's attention, it's all here.

Packed with over a thousand pages of professional tips, loads of savvy advice, and more than 150 step-by-step tutorials, this book will soon have you using 3ds Max like a pro.

- Quickly rig and animate complex characters using the CAT system

- Paint maps in the viewport using layers with the improved Viewport Canvas

- Render previews in a fraction of the time with the Quicksilver Hardware Renderer

- Use the Object Paint system to quickly position objects in the scene

- Import, edit, and export CAD models using the SAT file format

- Work with material nodes in the new Slate Material Editor

What's on the DVD ?

You'll find before-and-after example files for every tutorial in the textbook. The DVD also includes:

- Unique new models and textures that you can customize for your own designs

- A searchable PDF of the book

System Requirements: See the DVD appendix for details and complete system requirements.

Also in the Book

- A 16-page, full-color insert showcases cutting-edge work from 3ds Max artists

Animate a walking dinosaur

Add CAT muscle objects

Paint with objects

DVD Included!

Full-color Insert

- 16-page, full-color insert with cutting-edge examples

Get up to speed right away with Quick Start

Think lights, cameras, action-and create!

Render scenes with Quicksilver speed

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Getting Started with 3ds Max

Quick Start: Animating a Walking Dinosaur

Exploring the Max Interface

Controlling and Configuring the Viewports

Working with Files, Importing, and Exporting

Customizing the Max Interface and Setting Preferences

Working with Objects

Creating and Editing Primitive Objects

Selecting Objects and Setting Object Properties

Transforming Objects, Pivoting, Aligning, and Snapping

Cloning Objects and Creating Object Arrays

Grouping, Linking, and Parenting Objects

Modeling Basics

Accessing Subobjects and Using Modeling Helpers

Introducing Modifiers and Using the Modifier Stack

Drawing and Editing 2D Splines and Shapes

Modeling with Polygons and Patches

Using the Graphite Modeling Tools and Painting with Objects

Materials, Cameras, and Lighting Basics

Using the Slate Material Editor

Creating and Applying Standard Materials

Adding Material Details with Maps

Creating Compound Materials and Using Material Modifiers

Configuring and Aiming Cameras

Using Lights and Basic Lighting Techniques

Animation and Rendering Basics

Understanding Animation and Keyframes

Animating with Constraints and Simple Controllers

Rendering a Scene and Enabling Quicksilver

Advanced Modeling

Building Complex Scenes with Containers and XRefs and Using Asset Tracking

Working with the Schematic View

Deforming Surfaces and Using the Mesh Modifiers

Working with Compound Objects

Working with Solids and Body Objects

Adding and Styling Hair and Fur, and Using Cloth

Advanced Materials

Using Specialized Material Types

Painting in the Viewport Canvas and Rendering Surface Maps

Unwrapping UVs and Mapping Textures

Creating Baked Textures and Normal Maps

Advanced Animation Techniques

Using Animation Layers, Modifiers, and Complex Controllers

Animating with the Expression Controller and Wiring Parameters

Working with Function Curves in the Track View

Working with Characters

Understanding Rigging and Working with Bones

Working with Inverse Kinematics

Animating with CAT and Creating Crowds

Skinning Characters

Dynamic Animation

Creating Particles and Particle Flow

Using Space Warps

Simulating Physics-Based Motion with reactor

Animating Hair and Cloth

Advanced Lighting and Rendering

Working with Advanced Lighting, Light Tracing, and Radiosity

Using Atmospheric and Render Effects

Rendering with mental ray

Batch and Network Rendering

MAXScript and Plug-Ins

Automating with MAXScript

Expanding Max with Third-Party Plug-Ins

What's New with 3ds Max 2011

What's on the DVD

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.