Synopses & Reviews
"This book is a valuable and insightful resource for beginning and advanced 3D artists alike looking to harness the most power from the vast capabilities of 3ds max 5."
-Phillip Miller, Vice President, Discreet Animation Products Group
* Build your first dynamic animation project today with unique Quick Start guide
* Master all the new features found in 3ds max 5 including Global Illumination, Radiosity, Character Posing, and Layers
* Create cutting-edge special effects for video, motion pictures, games, and television
If 3ds max 5 can do it, you can do it too . . .
Plunge into the world of professional animation with 3D expert Kelly Murdock, whose easy-to-follow tutorials and fluid explanations make this book a must-have for beginners and experienced users alike. He meets you wherever you are as a 3ds max user and elevates your skills to the next level. If you're a veteran, here is the indispensable road map to the complex variations of version 5. If you're meeting "Max" for the first time, the amazing Quick Start teaches you to build an eye-popping animation in your very first session!
Inside, you'll find complete coverage of 3ds max 5
* Add realistic lighting to your images with 3ds max 5's new Advanced Lighting features including Global Illumination, Radiosity, Photometric Lights, and Area Shadows
* Explore such new modeling features as Character Assemblies, improved bone tools, poseable skin, and a host of new poly object modeling additions such as extruding along a spline
* Increase scene details with materials and maps like the new Ink 'n' Paint material
* Automate the animation process with many improvements to the Track View, including Auto Tangents and Soft Selections
* Investigate new transform gizmos and other new version 5 interface elements
Bonus CD-ROM
* 3ds max, Version 5 demo
* All tutorial sample files, models, and bitmaps
* Exclusive plug-ins from Furious Research, including Rainbow atmospheric effect, Sketch render effect, and many more
Synopsis
* Shows how to build an animation right away.
* Gives users valuable hands-on experience under the expert guidance of 3D master Kelly Murdock.
* Includes a 16-page full-color insert explaining how to push the limits of max.
* Explores the major program changes that are expected with the next release of 3ds max.
* Provides tutorial files from the book, trial versions of related software, and exclusive plug-ins on the enclosed CD-ROM.
Synopsis
Plunge into the world of professional animation with 3D expert Kelly Murdock, whose easy-to-follow tutorials and fluid explanations make this book a must-have for beginners and experienced users alike. He meets you wherever you are as a 3ds max user and elevates your skills to the next level. If youre a veteran, here is the indispensable road map to the complex variations of version 5. If youre meeting "Max" for the first time, the amazing Quick Start teaches you to build an eye-popping animation in your very first session!
Synopsis
* Provides tutorial files from the book, trial versions of related software, and exclusive plug-ins on the enclosed CD-ROM.
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, graphics, and multimedia titles, including two previous editions of this book,
3ds max 5 Bible. Other major accomplishments include
Master VISUALLY HTML and XHTML, JavaScript Visual Blueprint, Adobe Atmosphere Bible, and co-authoring duties on two editions of the
Illustrator Bible (for versions 9 and 10).
With a background in engineering and computer graphics, Kelly has been all over the 3D industry and still finds it fascinating. 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 since version 3 for DOS.
In his spare time, Kelly coaches Little League baseball, competes in sports, and is learning how to rock climb.
Table of Contents
Preface.
Acknowledgments.
Part I: Getting Started with 3ds max 5.
Quick Start: Animating a Space Shuttle Re-Entry.
Chapter 1: Exploring the Max Interface.
Chapter 2: Working with the Viewports.
Chapter 3: Working with Files.
Chapter 4: Customizing the Max Interface.
Part II: Working with Objects.
Chapter 5: Using Primitive Objects.
Chapter 6: Selecting Objects and Setting Object Properties.
Chapter 7: Cloning Objects.
Chapter 8: Grouping and Linking Objects.
Chapter 9: Transforming Objects.
Chapter 10: Using Modifiers.
Part III: Modeling.
Chapter 11: Modeling Basics.
Chapter 12: Drawing and Using 2D Splines and Shapes.
Chapter 13: Working with Meshes and Polys.
Chapter 14: Creating Patches.
Chapter 15: Working with NURBS.
Chapter 16: Building Compound Objects.
Chapter 17: Creating and Controlling Particle Systems.
Part IV: Materials and Maps.
Chapter 18: Exploring the Material Editor.
Chapter 19: Creating and Applying Materials.
Chapter 20: Using Material Maps.
Part V: Cameras and Lights.
Chapter 21: Controlling Cameras.
Chapter 22: Working with Lights.
Chapter 23: Advanced Lighting and Radiosity.
Part VI: Animation.
Chapter 24: Animation Basics.
Chapter 25: Working with the Track View.
Chapter 26: Using Space Warps.
Chapter 27: Restricting Movement with Constraints.
Chapter 28: Animating with Controllers.
Chapter 29: Using Expressions.
Chapter 30: Creating a Dynamic Simulation.
Part VII: Character Animation.
Chapter 31: Working with Bones and Skin.
Chapter 32: Working with Characters.
Chapter 33: Creating and Using Inverse Kinematics.
Part VIII: Rendering and Post-Production.
Chapter 34: Rendering Basics.
Chapter 35: Working with Environments and Atmospheric Effects.
Chapter 36: Using Render Elements and Render Effects.
Chapter 37: Raytracing.
Chapter 38: Network Rendering.
Chapter 39: Using the Video Post Interface.
Part IX: Adding Functionality with MAXScript and Plug-Ins.
Chapter 40: Using MAXScript.
Chapter 41: Using the Visual MAXScript Editor.
Chapter 42: Using Third-Party Plug-Ins.
Part X: Appendixes.
Appendix A: Configuring a System for 3ds max 5.
Appendix B: Max Keyboard Shortcuts.
Appendix C: Exclusive Bible Plug-Ins.
Appendix D: What's on the CD-ROM.
Index.
End-User License Agreement.