3D Studio Max R3 Bible with CDROM (Bible)

If 3D Studio MAX can do it, you can do it too … Take 3D Studio MAX to the max — and join the ranks of the animation pros who created special effects for Lost in Space, the dancing baby on Ally McBeal, and Lara Croft in Tomb Raider II. Packed with expert advice, time-saving tips, and more than 100 step-by-step tutorials, 3D Studio MAX^® R3 Bible gets you up to speed quickly, whether you're a 3D-modeling beginner or a veteran animator. Complete with a full-color section showcasing animation techniques plus a CD-ROM with exclusive plug-ins, this is the ultimate 3D Studio MAX reference. Inside, you'll find complete coverage of 3D Studio MAX R3

• Master the new features in R3 — the improved user interface, updated modeling tools, new rendering engine, and more
• Create sophisticated 3D models using NURBs, splines, patches, meshes, and lofts
• Give your models life-like motion with Inverse Kinematics and Character Studio
• Build intricate special effects using particle systems and Space Warps
• Improve your productivity and workflow with External References and MAXscript
• Enhance your renderings with the new Render Effects and Video Post interface

Jam-Packed CD-ROM!

• Exclusive Furious Research plug-ins, including Lego-like Brick Object, Gear Object, Rainbow Effect, Stereogram Rendering Effect, Cartoon/Sketch Rendering Effect, Ball and Stick, and more

Plus Rhinoceros evaluation version, 3D-Paralex, and more

• Sample 3D models
• Complete tutorial files
• And more!
• Kinetix MAX R3 non-interactive demo

Shareware programs are fully functional, free trial versions of copyrighted programs. If you like particular programs, register with their authors for a nominal fee and receive licenses, enhanced versions, and technical support. Freeware programs are free, copyrighted games, applications, and utilities. You can copy them to as many PCs as you like—free—but they have no technical support. www.hungryminds.com System Requirements: 166 MHz or faster processor running Windows 95/98/NT; 32MB RAM

With it's sparse manual and hefty price tag, don't let Studio Max get you down. This is the perfect companion to the highly popular animation program, featuring information on creating advanced 3D models, molding and editing models, usage of light, shadows and effects, and more. A 100 percent useful tool.

Master valuable 3D modeling and animation skills to create spectacular visual effects with 3D Studio MAX R3 Bible. Each chapter in this authoritative guide helps you harness the power of MAX's specialized tools, effects, and utilities:

* Familiarize yourself with the new features in R3, understand the interface, and discover how to configure and customize MAX.

* Learn how to reference, select, transform, and modify models, cameras, lights, and any other object that can be viewed in a viewport.

* Model objects by working on primitives, spline shapes, meshes, patches, NURBS, and a variety of specialized compound objects, including Lofts and Morphs.

* Control light and cameras, as well as several lighting special effects and camera utilities.

* Use particle systems and space warps to enhance any MAX scene.

* Create animated scenes with keyframing, Track View, and Controllers.

* Extend the features of MAX with plug-ins.

The jam-packed CD-ROM includes exclusive Bible plug-ins, including Brick Object, Gear Object, Rainbow Effect, and more. It also offers sample 3D models and complete tutorial files to help you take full advantage of MAX 3R.

System requirements: 166 MHz or faster processor running Windows 95/98/NT; 32MB RAM.

About the Author Kelly Murdock has been involved with more computer books than he cares to count — to the point that he avoids the computer book section of the bookstore, except for the graphics section, which still remains an obsession. His book credits include various Web and multimedia titles, including contributions of various editions of HTML Unleashed and Laura Lemay's Web Workshop: 3D Graphics and VRML 2. With a background in Engineering and Computer Graphics, Kelly has been all over the 3D industry. He's used high-level CAD workstations for product design and analysis; completed several large-scale visualization projects; created 3D models for feature films, worked as a freelance 3D artist, and even done some 3D programming. Kelly's been using 3D Studio on and off since version 3 for DOS. He is also the creative force behind the children's Web site, Animabets.com at www.animabets.com, which is soon to be sporting several new 3D characters.

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

PART I: Getting Started with 3D Studio MAX R3.

Chapter 1: What's New in Release 3.

Chapter 2: Exploring the MAX Interface.

Chapter 3: Customizing the MAX Interface.

PART II: Working with Objects.

Chapter 4: Referencing External Objects.

Chapter 5: Importing and Exporting.

Chapter 6: Cloning Objects and Using Arrays.

Chapter 7: Selecting and Grouping Objects.

Chapter 8: Transforming Objects.

Chapter 9: Modifying Objects.

PART III: Modeling.

Chapter 10: Creating Primitive Objects.

Chapter 11: Working with Spline Shapes.

Chapter 12: Working with Meshes.

Chapter 13: Creating Patches.

Chapter 14: Creating Loft Objects.

Chapter 15: Building Compound Objects.

Chapter 16: Working with NURBS.

PART IV: Materials and Maps.

Chapter 17: Exploring the Material Editor.

Chapter 18: Using Material Maps.

Chapter 19: Working with Materials and Maps.

PART V: Lights and Cameras.

Chapter 20: Controlling Lights.

Chapter 21: Lighting Special Effects.

Chapter 22: Controlling Cameras.

Chapter 23: Camera Matching and Tracking.

PART VI: Particle Systems and Space Warps.

Chapter 24: Creating and Controlling Particle Systems.

Chapter 25: Using Space Warps.

Chapter 26: Particle System Special Effects.

PART VII: Model Systems.

Chapter 27: Building Linked Hierarchies.

Chapter 28: Using Schematic View.

Chapter 29: Creating an Inverse Kinematics System.

PART VIII: Animation.

Chapter 30: Animation Basics.

Chapter 31: Working with the Track View.

Chapter 32: Animatingwith Controllers.

Chapter 33: Using Expressions.

Chapter 34: Creating a Dynamic Simulation.

PART IX: Rendering and Post-Production.

Chapter 35: Working with Backgrounds, Environments, and Atmospheric Effects.

Chapter 36: Setting Rendering Parameters.

Chapter 37: Using Render Effects.

Chapter 38: Using Network Rendering.

Chapter 39: Using the Video Post Interface.

PART X: Extending MAX.

Chapter 40: Extending MAX with Plug-Ins.

Chapter 41: Using MAXScript.

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Appendix A: Configuring a Sysem for 3D Studio MAX.

Appendix B: Exclusive Bible Plug-Ins.

Appendix C: What's On the CD-ROM?

Index.

End-User License Agreement.

CD-ROM Installation Instructions.