This book guides readers through every major aspect of 3D Studio MAX, from customising the user interface and creating a basic material to adding lights and creating a composite scene with a background plate. Modelling exercises demonstrate how to create several projects including an interior, a fish, a human head, and an ear. Learn how to: use the various tools and modifiers available in 3ds Max; adjust light and material settings to create desired effects; create objects using poly modelling and spline modelling techniques; build a proper mesh so your characters animate correctly; unwrap your objects in order to prepare them for texturing; and avoid common industry mistakes. The companion files include colour images of all the figures in the book and example files used in the modelling chapters.

Table of Contents

Understanding 3D Space; 3D Studio Max at a Glance; Modelling 101; Creating a Basic Material; Adding Lights to Your Scene; Rendering Your Scene; Additional Modelling Tools and Modifiers; Architectural Modelling Exercise: Interior; Organic Modelling Basics; Organic Modelling Exercise: Creating a Basic Character; Organic Modelling Exercise; Creating a Simple Head; Organic Modelling Exercise: Creating a Fish; Spline Modelling; Spline Modelling Exercise: Creating the Hull of a Boat; Becoming an Advanced Modeler/Artist; Using UVW Map and Unwrap UVW; Advanced Modelling Exercise: the Human Ear; Animation Basics; Creating a Basic Composite Over a Background Plate; Index.