Why take months to learn every button in 3ds Max when you can create great visuals with just a few key tools? Utilize the tool of choice, 3ds Max 201X, for generating realistic environments, seamless CG effects, and jaw dropping games in a matter of hours. You can use the memory-hogging methods that choke your display and take forever to render, or you can get it done quickly and efficiently. Michael McCarthy offers a goldmine of artistic inspiration, timesaving tips & tricks, and step-by-step walkthroughs—you’ll wonder how you every got by without it! Start animating today with detailed tutorials, source files, bitmaps, and video demonstrations—all featured on the companion website. Key Features 3ds Max luminary and recipient of the 2011 Autodesk 3ds Max Master Award, author Michael McCarthy shares his 3ds Max secrets and little-known tips and tricks that save users hours of time Includes all new content and advanced cheats on modelling, special effects, natural elements, and the particle system •Updated topics on booleans, render passes, skinning (geodesic voxel and dual quaterniun) and subdivision surfaces (open subdiv) New topics added for MCG, physical camera, camera sequencer, ART rendered, text took .Proven How to Cheat series teaches how to create quick yet stunning special effects, animations, realistic textures, and game elements