Synopses & Reviews
"Kelly’s new book indeed deserves to be called a Bible. Its comprehensiveness and level of detail are quite remarkable."
–Chris Ford, Director of Product Management, 3D Animation, Discreet/Autodesk
If 3ds maxTM 6 can do it, you can do it too...
Whether this is your first introduction to "Max" or you’ve been eagerly awaiting the newest version, you’ll find everything you need in these pages. If your fingers are tingling to actually create something now, the Quick Start project in Part 1 is made for you. If you can’t wait to check out the new features, start exploring detailed coverage of the Particle Flow interface, architectural objects and materials, Shockwave 3D Export, improved VertexPaint features, and more. All the details are here.
Inside, you’ll find complete coverage of 3ds maxTM 6
- Examine BlobMesh and other new modeling features, and work with compound objects like Lofts and Morphs
- Learn to use the Particle Flow interface to control complex interactions between particles
- Delve into character creation, including bone systems, skin, rigging, and character modeling
- Discover how the new reactor 2 works to create realistic physics-based animation sequences
- Assign the new mental ray rendering engine to render scenes using custom shaders, caustic photons, and other new features
- Explore focused chapters on using 3ds max 6 in game development, architectural visualization, and special effects
- Study the work of top 3ds max professionals in the 16-page color sample section
- Set up network rendering to help you render scenes in a fraction of the time
- Learn to access Mapping Channels in the Channel Info editor
TWO BONUS CD-ROMS
- Demo version of 3ds max 6
- 3D models from Zygote Media and Viewpoint Datalabs
- Over 500 MB of tutorial files and a searchable color PDF of the book
Synopsis
This is the 100omprehensive, what-you-need, authoritative reference-tutorial to 3ds max. It is packed with expert advice, time-saving tips, and more than 150 step-by-step tutorials. This book begins with a Quick Start, a hands on project that will have new users creating their first animation on day one! All readers will learn how to create cutting-edge special effects for commercial modeling, video games, television, and motion pictures. Readers will learn how to use the latest lighting, modeling, rendering, and animations features in the latest release of 3ds max. A 16-page color insert will highlight work by various cutting-edge 3ds max artists. The companion CD-ROM will include a demo version of the new Max, tutorial files, 3D models, bonus plug-ins, and more!
Synopsis
* Shows beginning users how to create an exciting animation their very first day with 3ds max, the world's most popular animation modeling and rendering software for film, television, games, and design visualization
* 3ds max is used to create high-profile animations for feature films such as X-Men 2, Minority Report, and Tomb Raider, and in the creation of popular games such as Dungeon Siege, Spiderman, Command and Conquer: Renegade, and Grand Theft Auto
* More than 150 tutorials give readers valuable hands-on experience under the expert guidance of 3ds max master Kelly Murdock
* A valuable CD-ROM will include a demo version of the new 3ds max release, tutorial files, 3D models, bonus plug-ins, and more
* A sixteen-page, full-color insert shows how contributing artists are taking max to the next level
Synopsis
* A sixteen-page, full-color insert shows how contributing artists are taking max to the next level
About the Author
Kelly Murdock has been authoring computer books for many years now and still gets immense enjoyment from the completed work. His book credits include various Web, graphics, and multimedia titles, including three previous editions of this book,
3ds max 6 Bible. Other major accomplishments include
Master VISUALLY HTML and XHTML, JavaScript Visual Blueprint, gmax Bible,
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 enjoys the outdoors while rock climbing, mountain biking, or skiing. He has recently formed a design company with his brother, Chris, called Logical Paradox Design.
Table of Contents
Preface.
Acknowledgments.
Part I: Learning the Max Interface.
Quick Start: Animating a Monster Truck at the Beach.
Chapter 1: Finding Your Way—Exploring the Max Interface.
Chapter 2: Seeing It All—Working with the Viewports.
Chapter 3: Working with Files and Xrefs.
Chapter 4: Customizing the Max Interface and Setting Preferences.
Part II: Working with Objects.
Chapter 5: Creating and Editing Primitive Objects.
Chapter 6: Selecting Objects and Setting Object Properties.
Chapter 7: Cloning Objects and Creating Object Arrays.
Chapter 8: Grouping and Linking Objects.
Chapter 9: Working with the Schematic View.
Chapter 10: Transforming Objects—Translate, Rotate, and Scale.
Chapter 11: Introducing Modifiers for Basic Object Deformation.
Part III: Modeling.
Chapter 12: Modeling Basics.
Chapter 13: Drawing and Editing 2D Splines and Shapes.
Chapter 14: Working with Meshes and Polys.
Chapter 15: Creating and Editing Patches.
Chapter 16: Working with NURBS.
Chapter 17: Building Compound Objects.
Chapter 18: Creating Particles and Particle Flow.
Part IV: Materials and Maps.
Chapter 19: Exploring the Material Editor.
Chapter 20: Creating Simple Materials.
Chapter 21: Creating Advanced Multi-Layer Materials.
Chapter 22: Adding Material Details with Maps.
Chapter 23: Controlling Mapping Coordinates.
Part V: Cameras.
Chapter 24: Working with Cameras.
Chapter 25: Matching and Tracking Cameras.
Chapter 26: Multi-Pass Camera Effects.
Part VI: Lighting.
Chapter 27: Basic Lighting Techniques.
Chapter 28: Advanced Lighting and Light Tracing.
Chapter 29: Advanced Lighting and Radiosity.
Part VII: Animation.
Chapter 30: Animation Basics.
Chapter 31: Animating with Constraints and Controllers.
Chapter 32: Using the Expression Controller.
Chapter 33: Working with the Track View.
Part VIII: Character Animation.
Chapter 34: Character Modeling.
Chapter 35: Rigging Characters.
Chapter 36: Animating Characters.
Chapter 37: Using Inverse Kinematics.
Part IX: Dynamics.
Chapter 38: Using Space Warps.
Chapter 39: Creating a Dynamic Simulation.
Chapter 40: Animating with reactor.
Part X: Rendering.
Chapter 41: Rendering Basics.
Chapter 42: Using Atmospheric Effects.
Chapter 43: Using Render Elements and Effects.
Chapter 44: Raytracing and mental ray.
Chapter 45: Network Rendering.
Part XI: Compositing and Post-Production.
Chapter 46: Using External Compositing Tools.
Chapter 47: Using the Video Post Interface.
Part XII: MAXScript and Plug-Ins.
Chapter 48: Automating with MAXScript.
Chapter 49: Expanding Max with Third-Party Plug-Ins.
Part XIII: Max in Action.
Chapter 50: Max and Games.
Chapter 51: Max and Visualization.
Chapter 52: Max and Special Effects.
Appendix A: What’s New with Max 6.
Appendix B: Installing and Configuring 3ds max 6.
Appendix C: Max Keyboard Shortcuts.
Appendix D: What’s on the CD-ROMs.
Index.
End-User License Agreement.