3d Studio Max Training Course

3d Studio Max Course Contents

Introduction to 3d Studio Max

• Setting user interface defaults
• Setting preferences
• Using project folders
• Getting familiar with the interface
• Using the Create and Modify panels
• Navigating in the viewports
• Using hotkeys
• Transforming objects
• Using axis constraints
• Choosing shading modes
• Configuring the viewports

Modelling Basics

• Surveying different modelling methods
• Setting units
• Setting home grid dimensions
• Understanding the Level Of Detail
• Working with the modifier stack
• Understanding dependencies
• Collapsing the modifier stack
• Working with sub-objects

Modelling with Splines

• Creating shapes
• Creating lines
• Working with Editable Spline
• Using different vertex types

Lofting

• Lofting a vase
• Setting loft parameters
• Editing a path
• Manipulating loft sub-objects
• Adding a scale deformation
• Adding a Shell modifier
• Finishing the model

Modelling with Primitives

• Setting up the scene
• Creating chamfer boxes
• Cloning objects
• Using the Array tool
• Measuring with the tape helper
• Grouping objects

Using the Modifier Stack

• Laying out the scene
• Modelling rectangle primitives
• Working with Editable Spline
• Applying a Sweep modifier
• Soft-selecting with Volume Select
• Removing polygons with Delete Mesh
• Clearing a sub-object selection with Mesh Select
• Adding randomness with the Noise modifier
• Instancing modifiers on multiple objects

Polygon Modelling

• Making an editable poly and understanding Graphite
• Using the Graphite ribbon interface
• Selecting sub-objects
• Choosing selection region methods
• Using the caddy to extrude
• Controlling detail with Remove and Cut
• Inserting edge loops with SwiftLoop
• Constraining sub-object transforms
• Attaching polygon meshes to a single object
• Bridging parts of a mesh
• Smoothing and hardening edges

Subdivision Surface Modelling

• Understanding subdivision surfaces
• Creating a box and converting it to an editable poly
• Using the Symmetry modifier
• Working with TurboSmooth
• Extruding polygons
• Rounding out square corners
• Choosing a transform center
• Editing edge loops
• Shaping the model
• Baking subdivisions

NURBS Modelling

• Understanding NURBS
• Creating NURBS curves
• Creating arcs and lines
• Converting Bézier splines to a NURBS object
• Cloning sub-objects
• Creating an offset curve
• Creating a U loft surface
• Editing a dependent surface using curve
• Creating an extrude surface
• Setting Surface Approximation

Modelling for Motion Graphics

• Setting up the scene
• Creating text
• Applying a Bevel modifier
• Choosing bevel parameters
• Controlling the level of detail
• Deforming bevelled objects
• Exporting paths from Adobe Illustrator
• Importing Illustrator paths

Materials Basics

• Opening the Material Editor
• Navigating the Compact Material Editor
• Working with the Sample Slots and Scene Materials
• Choosing material and shader types
• Adjusting specular parameters
• Previewing renders with ActiveShade
• Adjusting opacity and refraction

Mapping Textures

• Applying procedural maps
• Navigating shader trees
• Managing source image files
• Tracking scene assets
• Projecting UVW mapping
• Using the Real-World Map Size option
• Adding reflections with Raytrace map
• Creating a self-illuminated environment
• Mapping a bump channel
• Instancing material sample slots

Camera Basics

• Working with Display layers
• Creating a free camera
• Moving a camera with Truck, Dolly, and Pan
• Using a target camera
• Adjusting Field of View
• Choosing an aspect ratio

Lighting Basics

• Understanding CG lighting
• Controlling an object's shadow properties
• Creating a target spotlight
• Adjusting intensity and colour
• Controlling contrast and highlights
• Setting a spotlight's hotspot and falloff radius
• Choosing a shadow type
• Optimizing shadow maps
• Optimizing area shadows
• Creating Omni lights
• Excluding objects from lights
• Using the Light Lister

Keyframe Animation

• Understanding keyframes
• Setting up the time configuration
• Choosing Set Key filters
• Creating keyframes in Set Key mode
• Editing keyframes in the timeline
• Creating keyframes in Auto Key mode
• Building up animation in passes
• Editing keyframes in the Dope Sheet
• Editing function curves in the Curve Editor
• Cycling and extrapolating function curves

Hierarchies

• Understanding hierarchies
• Understanding coordinate systems
• Controlling rotations
• Moving and rotating pivot points
• Locking transforms
• Linking objects
• Using Schematic View
• Solving problems with scale

Controllers and Constraints 12m 27s

• Understanding controllers
• Constraining animation to a path
• Assigning a Link constraint
• Adding link targets in the Motion panel
• Animating constrained objects

Rendering

• Understanding image sequences
• Choosing Render Setup options
• Specifying file output
• Playing Image Sequences in the RAM Player

Projects in 3d Studio Max

Projects: Modelling texturing and rendering basic shapes (3d Apple)

Projects: Modelling and texturing advanced shapes (Football)

Projects: Modelling scenery and buildings.

Projects: Create a short 3d animation sequence.