O'Reilly logo

Stay ahead with the world's most comprehensive technology and business learning platform.

With Safari, you learn the way you learn best. Get unlimited access to videos, live online training, learning paths, books, tutorials, and more.

Start Free Trial

No credit card required

Autodesk 3ds Max 2015 Essentials: Autodesk Official Press

Autodesk 3ds Max 2015 Essentials: Autodesk Official Press

by Dariush Derakhshani, Randi L. Derakhshani
Publisher: Sybex
Release Date: July 2014
ISBN: 9781118867709
View table of contents
Start reading

Book Description

Get up to speed quickly with this compelling, full-color guide to Autodesk 3ds Max

With its real-world, hands-on exercises, Autodesk 3ds Max 2015 Essentials helps new users learn the fundamentals of Autodesk 3ds Max quickly become productive. The task-based tutorials add real-world context that help you become familiar with the workflow scenarios of a professional environment, and provide that extra level of understanding to make you more proficient overall with the software.

Updated for 3ds Max 2015 and recommended as a preparation resource for the 3ds Max certification exam, this guide teaches the basics of modeling, texturing, animating, and visual effects. You'll have fun creating a retro-style alarm clock, animating a thrown knife, modeling a chair, and more, all while you learn modeling, rigging, animating, rendering, architectural visualization, and other career-essential techniques. This colorful, engaging book features:

  • Chapter-opening learning objectives

  • Step-by-step tutorials

  • Full-color screenshots and illustrations

  • Downloadable exercise files

    • Learn all the crucial techniques you'll need from authors Randi and Dariush Derakhshani, Autodesk Certified Instructors with years of professional experience under their belts. Artists, students, educators, and hobbyists will benefit from the guide's techniques and tutorials, getting to know the program as a whole and gaining insight into which aspects of the 3D production pipeline are most appealing. Whether you're a beginner or migrating from another 3D application, Autodesk 3ds Max 2015 Essentials provides the solid foundation.

    Table of Contents

    1. Titlepage
    2. Copyright
    3. Credits
    4. Dedication
    5. Publisher's Note
    6. Acknowledgments
    7. Writing on the HP EliteBook
    8. About the Authors
    9. Introduction
      1. Who Should Read This Book
      2. What Is Covered in This Book
      3. The Essentials Series
    10. Chapter 1: The 3ds Max Interface
      1. Navigate the Workspace
      2. Transforming Objects Using Gizmos
      3. Graphite Modeling Tools Set
      4. Command Panel
      5. Time Slider and Track Bar
      6. File Management
    11. Chapter 2: Your First 3ds Max Project
      1. Set Up a Project Workflow
      2. The Secret to Accurate Modeling: Reference Material!
      3. Building a Simple Model
      4. Creating Details Using Splines
      5. Lathing, Extruding, and Beveling to Create 3D from 2D
      6. Bringing It All Together
    12. Chapter 3: Modeling in 3ds Max: Architectural Model Part I
      1. Setting Up the Scene
      2. Building the Room
      3. Adding Special Details to the Room
    13. Chapter 4: Modeling in 3ds Max: Architectural Model Part II
      1. Model the Couch
      2. Modeling the Lounge Chair
    14. Chapter 5: Introduction to Animation
      1. Animating the Ball
      2. Reading Animation Curves
      3. Refining the Animation
    15. Chapter 6: Animation Principles
    16. Chapter 7: Character Modeling Part I
      1. Setting Up the Scene
      2. Blocking Out the Alien Model
    17. Chapter 8: Character Modeling Part II
      1. Creating the Alien Head
      2. Building the Alien Hand
      3. Building the Foot
      4. Completing the Alien
    18. Chapter 9: Introduction to Materials
      1. Navigate the Slate Material Editor
      2. Identify the Standard Material
      3. Identify the mental ray Material
      4. Identifying Shaders
      5. Build Materials for the Couch
      6. Build Materials for the Lounge Chair
      7. Build Materials for the Window
    19. Chapter 10: Textures and UV Workflow: The Alien
      1. Define UVs on the Alien’s Body
      2. Unwrap UVs on the Alien’s Body
      3. Build the Material and Apply It to the Alien
    20. Chapter 11: Character Studio: Rigging
      1. Character Studio Workflow
      2. Associating a Biped with the Alien Model
      3. Skinning the Alien Model
    21. Chapter 12: Character Studio: Animation
      1. Animating the Alien
      2. Freeform Animation
      3. Modifying Animation in the Dope Sheet
    22. Chapter 13: Introduction to Lighting: Interior Lighting
      1. Recognizing 3ds Max Lights
      2. Lighting a Still Life
      3. Atmospherics and Effects
      4. The Light Lister
    23. Chapter 14: 3ds Max Rendering
      1. Navigate the Render Setup Dialog
      2. Render a Scene
      3. Work with Cameras
      4. Raytraced Reflections and Refractions
      5. Render the Interior and Furniture
    24. Chapter 15: mental ray
      1. Navigate the mental ray Renderer
      2. Navigate the Final Gather Parameters
      3. Navigate mental ray Materials
      4. Use Photometric Lights with mental ray
      5. Use the Daylight System
    25. Appendix A: Autodesk 3ds Max Certification
    26. End-User License Agreement