Guides readers through every major aspect of 3D Studio MAX, from customising the user interface and creating a basic material to adding lights and creating a composite scene with a background plate. This book also includes modelling exercises which demonstrate how to create several projects including an interior, a fish, a human head, and an ear.

This book guides readers through every major aspect of 3D Studio MAX, from customising the user interface and creating a basic material to adding lights and creating a composite scene with a background plate. Modelling exercises demonstrate how to create several projects including an interior, a fish, a human head, and an ear. Learn how to: use the various tools and modifiers available in 3ds Max; adjust light and material settings to create desired effects; create objects using poly modelling and spline modelling techniques; build a proper mesh so your characters animate correctly; unwrap your objects in order to prepare them for texturing; and avoid common industry mistakes. The companion files include colour images of all the figures in the book and example files used in the modelling chapters.

Understanding 3D Space
3D Studio Max at a Glance
Modelling 101
Creating a Basic Material
Adding Lights to Your Scene
Rendering Your Scene
Additional Modelling Tools and Modifiers
Architectural Modelling Exercise: Interior
Organic Modelling Basics
Organic Modelling Exercise: Creating a Basic Character
Organic Modelling Exercise
Creating a Simple Head
Organic Modelling Exercise: Creating a Fish
Spline Modelling
Spline Modelling Exercise: Creating the Hull of a Boat
Becoming an Advanced Modeler/Artist
Using UVW Map and Unwrap UVW
Advanced Modelling Exercise: the Human Ear
Animation Basics
Creating a Basic Composite Over a Background Plate
Index.