Introducing 3ds Max^? 9: 3D for Beginners

by Dariush Derakhshani; Randi L. Derakhshani; With: Jon McFarland

• ISBN13: 9780470169483
• ISBN10: 0470169486
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2007-07-01
• Publisher: Sybex

Summary

Video game and feature-film artists have used 3ds Max to create Halo 2, King Kong, Myst V, and more. Now you can harness this popular animation software with the clear, step-by-step instructions in this easy-to-follow guide. This book breaks down the complexities of 3D modeling, texturing, animating, and visual effects. Clear-cut explanations, tutorials, and hands-on projects help build your skills and a special color insert includes real-world examples from talented 3ds Max beginners. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Basic Concepts

How to Read This Book

What Is CGI?

Production Workflow

CG Workflow

CG Specialties

Core Concepts

Coordinate Systems

Basic Animation Concepts

Basic 3ds Max Terms and Concepts

Summary

Your First Max Animation

Getting Around in 3ds Max

Project and File Management Workflow

The 3ds Max Interface

Jumping Headlong into Animation

Setting Up the Hierarchy

Summary

The 3ds Max Interface

What Am I Looking At?

Managing Scene Objects

Summary

Modeling in 3ds Max: Part I

Planning Your Model

Modeling Concepts

Look at the Mesh You Got Us Into!

Editable Poly Tools

Modeling a Chest of Drawers

Modeling a Hand

Summary

Modeling in 3ds Max: Part II

Setting Up the Scene

The Editable Poly Tools

Lofting the Barrel

Lathing the Wheels

Using Snapshot to Create the Tracks

Summary

Organic Poly Modeling

Setting Up the Scene

Creating the Basic Form

Adding Detail

Final Touches

Summary

Materials and Mapping

Materials

The Material Editor

Mapping a Pool Ball

Mapping, Just a Little Bit More

Maps

More Mapping Exercises

Mapping Coordinates

Summary

Introduction to Animation

Hierarchy in Animation: The Mobile Redux

Using Dummy Objects

Bouncing Ball

Using the Track Editor-Curve Editor

Track View

Anticipation and Momentum in Knife Throwing

Summary

Character Studio and IK Animation

Character Animation

Character Studio Workflow

Creating a Biped

Animating a Biped

Associating a Biped to a Character

Using Inverse Kinematics

Summary

3ds Max Lighting

Basic Lighting Concepts

Three-Point Lighting

3ds Max Lights

Common Light Parameters

Ambient Light

Creating Shadows

Atmospheres and Effects

Light Lister

Summary

3ds Max Rendering

Rendering Setup

Motion Blur

Previewing with ActiveShade

Cameras

Safe Frame

Render Elements

Rendering Effects

Raytraced Reflections and Refractions

Summary

Particles and Dynamics

Understanding Particle Systems

Setting Up a Particle System

Particle Systems and Space Warps

Using Rigid Body Dynamics

Using Soft Body Dynamics

Summary

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.