1st Edition

Learning Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2010: Essentials The Official Autodesk 3ds Max Training Guide

By Autodesk Copyright 2009

    Learning Autodesk 3ds Max 2010 Design Essentials is a superb end-to-end reference that provides users with complete info on all of the features and options available in the latest version of 3ds Max Design, so that users can learn how to use 3ds Max Design confidently in a production environment. Each chapter offers a series of lessons - which introduce the functional areas of Max Design and go over all associated features (with examples), and then a lab (which demonstrates a practical application of the lesson). Together, all of the lessons deliver and sound and complete approach to revealing the functions, features, and principles of 3ds Max 2010 Design. New Bonus section on MaxScript covering techniques for automating repetitive tasks and customizing 3ds Max Design to make you more productive. The DVD includes project Scene and support files, 3 bonus chapters and 4 bonus labs (an additional 370 pages of 3ds Max Design techniques) with free models and texture maps from Turbo Squid (a $188 value), and a link to a trial version of Sketchbook Pro.

    3ds Max XXXX: presently under NDA.

    Autodesk 3ds Max Essentials - FULLY UPDATED FOR LATEST VERSION + ALL NEW BONUS SECTION ON MAXSCRIPT

    Introduction - Understanding Autodesk 3ds Max

    Chapter 1 - Getting Started
    The Getting Started chapter contains a functional overview of the essential tools and principles of 3ds Max.

    Lesson 1: The User Interface
    Lesson 2: lab (title tbd)
    Lesson 3: Files and Objects
    Lesson 4: Transform Tools
    Lesson 5: Modifiers
    **REFERENCE SECTION ADDED


    Chapter 2 - Modeling
    The Modeling chapter covers low polygon modeling techniques, with a thorough explanation of what lies at the sub-object level. Other techniques include spline modeling. Perform spline modeling by taking 2D elements and turning them into 3D volumes, with the help of modifiers and compound objects. Also included is a lab that illustrates several polygon modeling techniques to build an underwater scene.

    Lesson 6: Low-Poly Modeling
    Lesson 7: Shapes
    Lesson 8: Using Compound Objects
    Lesson 9: Modeling Lab
    **REFERENCE SECTION ADDED

    Chapter 3 - Animation
    The Modeling chapter covers some basic animation techniques and terminology, as well as hierarchies and relationships between objects. One lesson is dedicated to the use of Biped, a character animation tool. The Biped tool automates the creation of a skeleton that goes inside the body of the character you want to animate. In the animation lab at the end of the chapter, you'll animate various pieces of a chess board.

    Lesson 10: Animation Basics
    Lesson 11: Hierarchies
    Lesson 12: Character Animation: Biped
    Lesson 13: Animation Lab
    **REFERENCE SECTION ADDED

    Chapter 4 - Materials and Mapping
    The Materials and Mapping chapter covers the Material Editor and the creation of simple and moderately complex materials. The first lesson covers basic Material Editor manipulation and its user interface. The second lesson covers the use of maps and their importance in a material definition. The third chapter takes the level of difficulty to the next level by discussing mapping coordinates and mapping types. Lastly, a lab illustrates how to create and apply materials to the underwater scene you created in the modeling lab.

    Lesson 14: Materials
    Lesson 15: Using Maps
    Lesson 16: Mapping Coordinates
    Lesson 17: Materials and Mapping Lab
    **REFERENCE SECTION ADDED

    Chapter 5 - Rendering
    The Rendering chapter discusses the use of lights, cameras and rendering output techniques. This includes basic theory of camera shots and motion, basic lighting techniques, global illumination engines, and batch rendering. The final Scene Assembly Lab in this chapter is a Full Day Scenario and is meant to be the last completed. You can follow the provided pointers or experiment with your own ideas. When you've covered the chapters and the last lab, then you're ready for the world of 3D animation.

    Lesson 18: Cameras
    Lesson 19: Basic Lighting
    Lesson 20: mental ray
    Lesson 21: Rendering the Scene
    Lesson 22: Scene Assembly Lab
    **REFERENCE SECTION ADDED

    BONUS - Introduction to MaxScript
    The Introduction to MaxScript chapter will cover techniques for automating repetitive tasks using the MaxScript scripting language. In addition, you'll learn how MaxScript can be used to customize 3ds Max to make you more productive.
    Lesson 23: Introduction to MaxScript
    Lesson 24: MaxScript Basics
    Lesson 25: Constructing the User Interface
    Lesson 26: The 3ds Max Interface
    Lesson 27: Understanding Objects and Classes
    Lesson 28: Transforms and Animation
    Lesson 29: Working with MaxScript Objects
    Lesson 30: File Handling, and Working with Directories
    **REFERENCE SECTION

    Accompanying DVD will include the following:
    - Project Scene & support files
    - Free models & texture maps from Turbo Squid (tbc)
    - Industry expert interviews with contributors (tbc)
    **NEW!! HIGH VALUE: Autodesk product Sketchbook Pro (for character development) valued at $199.99 US.

    Biography

    Autodesk's Media and Entertainment division produces award-winning software tools designed for digital media creation, management and delivery across all disciplines: from film and television visual effects, color grading and editing to animation, game development, web/interactive, and design visualization. Autodesk Media and Entertainment is based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.