Getting Started with 3ds Max

Autodesk 3ds Max is a popular and powerful tool used by game developers, visual effects artists, and graphic designers for 3D modeling, animation, and rendering. In this course, educators Dariush and Randi Derakhshani introduce you to this multifaceted software, starting with the interface and how to navigate it. Once you’re comfortable getting around 3ds Max, you’ll learn how to use its many tools to make models with 3D objects, edit polygonal meshes, create surfaces and models with 2D shapes and splines, and more. All of this is presented in the context of a hands-on project where you create a model of an alarm clock.

Getting Started with 3ds Max

Start Creating Models, Animations, and Rendered Scenes

Autodesk 3ds Max is a popular and powerful tool used by game developers, visual effects artists, and graphic designers for 3D modeling, animation, and rendering. In this course, educators Dariush and Randi Derakhshani introduce you to this multifaceted software, starting with the interface and how to navigate it. Once you’re comfortable getting around 3ds Max, you’ll learn how to use its many tools to make models with 3D objects, edit polygonal meshes, create surfaces and models with 2D shapes and splines, and more. All of this is presented in the context of a hands-on project where you create a model of an alarm clock.

Trainer: Randi Derakhshani, Dariush Derakhshani

Publication date: Dec 19, 2012
Duration: 4 hrs 10 min

In this workshop you’ll learn the fundamental skills you need for 3D modeling, animation, and rendering with 3ds Max. The contents of this course include:

Introduction to 3ds Max
In this chapter you’ll be introduced to 3ds Max and get a basic overview. You’ll also see how to use the project files that accompany this course.

The Interface and Navigation
In this chapter you’ll learn your way around the 3ds Max user interface and see how to use the many tools and menus available.

Creating and Manipulating Objects
In this chapter we’ll get into the nitty-gritty of 3ds Max, which is object creation and manipulation. You’ll learn how to create primitives, understand coordinate space, and work with snaps, as well as how to transform, clone, mirror, align, and group objects.

Working with Modifiers
This chapter looks at modifiers, which make it easy to adjust or change your objects. You’ll learn how to use the Modifier Stack, basic modifiers (like Bend, Twist, and Taper), and an FFD modifier (or lattice).

Poly Modeling
In this chapter we’ll dive into the world of poly modeling, which involves manipulating meshes and creating objects for use in your work. You’ll learn about polygons, their components, and how to edit and manipulate those components to get exactly the objects you want.

Spline Modeling
This chapter looks at spline modeling, which is an efficient alternative to using polygons for organic modeling. A spline in 3D modeling is a line that describes a curve; the curved spline can then be beveled, extruded, lathed, or lofted to create 3D geometry.

The lessons are wrapped in a feature-rich interface that lets you jump to any topic and bookmark individual sections for later review. Full-Screen mode provides a hi-def, immersive experience, and Watch-and-Work mode shrinks the video into a small window so you can play the videos alongside your application. Also included are exercise files that give you an easy way to try out the techniques you learn.

System Requirements

Broadband internet connection
Up-to-date browser with Flash plug-in
Screen resolution 1024x768 or higher
Sound card with speakers or headphones attached
Pentium 4 2.6 GHz or higher, or Apple Mac G5
512 MB RAM

Content

Introduction to 3ds Max

What Is 3ds Max? 03:48
How to Use Project Files 01:15

The Interface and Navigation

Interface Overview 05:03
Exploring Menus (Part 1) 06:24
Exploring Menus (Part 2) 05:04
Main Toolbar 09:21
The Graphite Modeling Tool Ribbon 06:24
The Command Panel 05:42
Viewports 05:28
Scene Navigation 06:05
Selecting Objects 05:01
Scene Units 02:43
Using the Layer Manager 04:50
Customizing the Interface for Beginners 04:27
Animation Tools and Controls 05:28

Creating and Manipulating Objects

What Are Primitives? 02:57
Creating Primitives 09:20
Transforming Objects and Gizmos 06:12
Understanding Coordinate Space 03:54
Using Snaps 08:11
Cloning Objects 06:44
Mirroring and Aligning Objects 05:21
Grouping Objects 04:05
ProBooleans 09:11

Working with Modifiers

Introducing Modifiers and the Modifier Stack 04:24
Basic Modifiers: Using the Bend, Taper, and Twist Modifiers 05:59
Using an FFD Modifier 08:47

Poly Modeling

What Is Poly Modeling? 02:43
Convert to Editable Poly vs. Edit Poly Modifier 05:08
Vertex Editing 03:21
Edge and Border Editing 07:21
Poly Editing 09:11
Working in Element Mode 04:07
The Graphite Modeling Interface: Visibility, Align, and Properties Menus 06:34
Subdivision Surfaces: Creating NURMS 04:54
Editable Polys and NURMS 03:20
Using the TurboSmooth Modifier 04:09

Spline Modeling

Creating 3D Shapes from 2D Shapes 07:49
Using the Line Tool 05:52
Vertex Sub-Object Editing for Splines 06:53
Spline Sub-Object Editing 05:50
Rendering Lines 03:38
Sweep Lines 02:32
Bevel and Extrude Splines 04:44
Lathing Splines 05:20
Lofting Splines 08:07