Autodesk 3ds Max 2014 Essentials: Autodesk Official Press

Autodesk 3ds Max 2014 Essentials: Autodesk Official Press

Released June 2013
Publisher(s): Sybex
ISBN: 9781118575147

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Book description

Great guide to the fundamentals of Autodesk 3ds Max 2014

This Autodesk Official Press guide is just what you need to learn the basics of Autodesk 3ds Max 2014 quickly and easily. Through a series of cool projects like designing an alarm clock, animating a thrown knife, or lighting a scene, you'll learn the essentials of modeling, rigging, animating, and rendering using the popular Autodesk 3ds Max 3D animation and effects software. It's a practical, hands-on approach allowing you to constantly reinforcing skills as you learn them.

Downloadable before-and-after project files let you to compare your work to that of 3ds Max professionals. Even if you already have experience with 3ds Max, this book is a great reference for renewing your skills. And, it will help all users review and prepare for the Autodesk 3ds Max 2014 certification exams.

  • Helps beginners and those migrating from other 3D animation and effects programs get up and running on Autodesk 3ds Max 2014

  • Features a realistic, task-based approach, so readers learn via a series of hands-on projects using downloadable files, all backed with ample instruction, explanation, and illustration

  • Covers modeling, rigging, animating, rendering, skinning, architectural visualization, and more

  • Written by Autodesk Authorized Authors and is an Autodesk Official Press book

Get firsthand experience with 3ds Max, as well as a good start on preparing for the Autodesk 3ds Max 2014 Certified Professional exam, with Autodesk 3ds Max 2014 Essentials.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Acknowledgments
  3. About the Authors
  4. Introduction
    1. Introduction
    2. Who Should Read This Book
    3. What Is Covered in This Book
    4. The Essentials Series
  5. Chapter 1: The 3ds Max Interface
    1. The Workspace
    2. Transforming Objects Using Gizmos
    3. Graphite Modeling Tools Set
    4. Command Panel
    5. Time Slider and Track Bar
    6. File Management
  6. Chapter 2: Your First 3ds Max Project
    1. Setting Up a Project Workflow
    2. Time to Model a Clock!
    3. In Splines We Trust
    4. Bringing It All Together
  7. Chapter 3: Modeling in 3ds Max: Architectural Model Part I
    1. Units Setup
    2. Importing a CAD Drawing
    3. Creating the Walls
    4. Creating the Doors
    5. Creating the Window
    6. Adding a Floor and Ceiling
  8. Chapter 4: Modeling in 3ds Max: Architectural Model Part II
    1. Modeling the Couch
    2. Modeling the Lounge Chair
  9. Chapter 5: Introduction to Animation
    1. Animating the Ball
    2. Refining the Animation
  10. Chapter 6: Animation Principles
    1. Anticipation and Momentum in Knife Throwing
  11. Chapter 7: Character Poly Modeling: Part I
    1. Setting Up the Scene
    2. Beginning the Soldier Model
  12. Chapter 8: Character Poly Modeling: Part II
    1. Completing the Main Body
    2. Creating the Accessories
    3. Putting on the Boots
    4. Creating the Hands
  13. Chapter 9: Character Poly Modeling: Part III
    1. Creating the Head
    2. Merging and Attaching the Head’s Accessories
  14. Chapter 10: Introduction to Materials: Interiors and Furniture
    1. The Slate Material Editor
    2. Material Types
    3. mental ray Material Types
    4. Shaders
    5. Mapping the Couch and Chair
    6. Mapping the Window and Doors
  15. Chapter 11: Textures and UV Workflow: The Soldier
    1. UV Unwrapping
    2. Seaming the Rest of the Body
    3. Applying the Color Map
    4. Applying the Bump Map
    5. Applying the Specular Map
  16. Chapter 12: Character Studio: Rigging
    1. Character Studio Workflow
    2. Associating a Biped with the Soldier Model
  17. Chapter 13: Character Studio: Animation
    1. Animating the Soldier
  18. Chapter 14: Introduction to Lighting: Interior Lighting
    1. Three-Point Lighting
    2. 3ds Max Lights
    3. Lighting a Still Life in the Interior Space
    4. Selecting a Shadow Type
    5. Atmospheres and Effects
    6. Light Lister
  19. Chapter 15: 3ds Max Rendering
    1. Rendering Setup
    2. Cameras
    3. Safe Frames
    4. Raytraced Reflections and Refractions
    5. Rendering the Interior and Furniture
  20. Chapter 16: mental ray
    1. mental ray Renderer
    2. Final Gather with mental ray
    3. mental ray Materials
  21. Appendix: Autodesk® 3ds Max® Certification

Product information

  • Title: Autodesk 3ds Max 2014 Essentials: Autodesk Official Press
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: June 2013
  • Publisher(s): Sybex
  • ISBN: 9781118575147