3D Studio MAX 3(r) Media Animation

Amazon.com

For any up-and-coming animator searching for ways to create flying logos or make animated titles look more professional and polished, your search is over. 3D Studio Max 3 Media Animation is an outstanding book for mid-level artists using Kinetix's powerful animation software for motion graphics and animated logos. (Many of the basic principles and techniques can be applied to other software packages as well.)

Full of step-by-step tutorials from examples that are glitzy, cutting-edge, and totally professional, this book describes in detail approaches to animated media logos from start to finish. Projects range from a sample storyboard describing the action, to importing files from other programs to use as templates for models, all the way through final lighting and rendering.

The last section, called "Real World Case Studies," breaks down and analyzes three animated logo openings for NBC's Weekend Magazine, Upfront Tonight, and NBC News: Decision 98. The CD-ROM includes Max project files and source material from these projects.

Although the book focuses on animated logos and opening titles, there is plenty here to learn from. Novices beware--some knowledge of 3D Studio Max is assumed. However, if you feel that your work has reached a plateau or that you've fallen into a rut of mediocre work, 3D Studio Max 3 Media Animation is the ideal guide to elevate your work to the next level. --Mike Caputo

Book Description

If you are creating logos and broadcast animations--the better part of the MAX population--you don't need books telling you how to make watered down versions of cinematic special effects. Instead, you need a book that focuses on how to integrate your ideas and generate compelling, artistic animations with 3D Studio MAX. Media Animation reveals secrets that were developed by long hours of head scratching and fine-tuning. They are simple and can be used in many different aspects of MAX animation.

Customer Reviews:

What an awesome book for real world CG.......2007-06-15

This book literally launched my CG animation career. I later took a class in CG animation and modeling and the tutorials in this book were in that class. Its was an excellent class, since it helped you learn the book's content is covered in 3 weeks instead of 2-3 months of night time after work animation. But this book is $30 not $2k.
What a great book. It does assume you know the basics, so learn the basics first and then dive in head first.

terrible.......2002-01-18

not even worth giving it up to my dog to chew on.

A Great Book !.......2000-12-29

I have read several books about 3D Max but I consider this book one of the best books ! and I have learnt a lot from it ...If you want to make professional media animations logos you have to own one !

A Great Book !.......2000-12-29

Finally.......2000-06-27

Finally a book that merges great tutorial writing and impressive content. Going through this book, I was intrigued with every sentence. Not only did I want to read what Chismar had to say but I would learn things at random times. New techniques and tricks sprawl throughout this book, were at times I even felt a little guilty getting all this info for just a few bucks. Don't keep us waiting too long for the next one, John.

3D Studio Max 3 Magic (with CD-ROM for Windows)

Average customer rating:

This is a pleasingly easy to follow book
The 3dMax Goodie Bag!
Great effects
Very useful book for advanced users to learn more
Coffee Table Book of Max Manuals

3D Studio Max 3 Magic (with CD-ROM for Windows)
Jeffrey Abouaf , Neil Blevins , Sean Bonney , Brandon Davis , Dale Holmes , Sanford Kennedy , Douglas King , Eni Oken , Michael Todd Peterson , and Sung-wook Su
Manufacturer: New Riders Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0735708673

Amazon.com

The 3D Studio Max application is big and has great depth, but most of the available books that cover it are either of the all-encompassing "bible" type--which are great reference books, but often lack in-depth tutorials--or the getting-started type--which are designed to orient the new user without inducing a bad case of "featuritis overwhelmus."

3D Studio Max 3 Magic nicely fills the need of the intermediate or advanced user. It assumes the reader is already familiar with Max, has been working with it for some time, and is ready to move on to the next level.

Featuring 20 chapters written by nine top 3D Studio Max artists, 3D Studio Max 3 Magic is designed to be read, used, and worked through, but not necessarily in sequence. Each chapter is an independent tutorial, demonstrating a specific technique, and each is well written and lavishly illustrated. Every page is in color, helping to make the book a pleasure to flip through and each chapter easy to work through.

A good case in point is chapter 6, "Lighting Effects: Rim Lighting and Diffuse Glow." The goal of this chapter is to simulate the lighting that falls on a fetus in a womb (or at least what we expect it to look like). An image of the final render is at the head of the chapter, and the translucency and highlights of the fetus are worthy of study. The text and pictures that follow describe not only the modeling of the baby, but also the process of achieving the desired look through lighting, materials, or both.

Some of the examples seem a little simplistic, but they demonstrate complex techniques. Chapter 8, for example, creates automated dust trails by using a particle system and expressions. The example is of a tank traveling through the desert, but the tank is simply a few polygons without textures and the desert barely looks like sand. However, the goal of the chapter is to teach the use of particles and expressions for automating the animation of the dust cloud that follows the tank, not to teach how to model and texture a realistic military vehicle.

The accompanying CD-ROM includes all the project and source files for each chapter; many of these files contain rendered movies for viewing the animation. In addition, four bonus chapters on the CD-ROM cover topics like creating a tidal wave and growing a block of ice around an object.

3D Studio Max 3 Magic is a quality workbook for an intermediate or advanced user. The layout is clean, the illustrations are plentiful, and the art direction of the book on the whole is a pleasure to look at and use. This book is a nice addition to any Max user's shelf. --Mike Caputo

Book Description

3D Studio MAX 3 Effects Magic is structured in as a cookbook for you, just like highly-trained chefs who are in constant need of new ideas for recipes. We know you don't need theory, and you don't need beginner level recipes. You need a cookbook you can use in the kitchen while you're working. No non-sense instructions on very imaginative recipes, that you can then take and either use as is, or use as inspiration for your own creations. This book has 25 can't miss recipes for getting stunning effects from 3D Studio MAX.3, cooked up by some of the best CG chefs in the world.

Customer Reviews:

This is a pleasingly easy to follow book.......2000-11-22

I'm thoroughly happy with this book as it is very easy to understand and follow. However, one or two of the tutorials are very dodgy indeed. Like for example the Tidal Wave effect on the CD is not very good, the wave looks extremely fake and out of place. But apart from that, the rest of this book is very well made and presented. A must buy for any intermediate users.

The 3dMax Goodie Bag!.......2000-09-22

One of the big gripes I hear from people using tutorial books for software is that they are linear. (They make you start with the apple, then they let you model the tree, and somewhere way down they road you get to model Johnny Appleseed.) This is not the case with 3dMax 3 Magic. Each chapter introduces a new technique on a new tutorial model. In one chapter you are shown how to make realistic looking water surfaces, in another you are being shown how to make the best looking car paint I've ever seen. Like the title of this review states, this is a goodie bag. It is for the Intermediate to Advanced user who wants a "How To" on some of the things Max 3 has to offer. The Authors of the book assume that you atleast know your way around the application. I'm happy to have this book on my shelf, right next to my computer!

Great effects.......2000-08-05

This is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to enhance their abilities with 3D Studio MAX 3. It goes beyond the MAX tutorials to show you how to create effects that obviously took some of these professionals a long time to perfect. The car paint material chapter alone is worth the price of the book. My only complaint is that it's too short.

Very useful book for advanced users to learn more.......2000-08-03

This books is based on tutorials, so it's easy to read and understand. In the end of each chapter there is a "variation" and "plugins" section which help you in using techniques featured in the chapter in other situations and ways and help you selecting plugins to use to make it even more realistic!(giving you a very detailed plugins list). Most of the tutorials are very useful both for advanced and basic users, but some tutorials look very unrealistic where the head title is "How to create a REALISTIC....". I've been using 3d studio and MAX for 7 years now, spending most of my freetime in MAX and still i found this book very useful and I would recommend it for all users except the very basic users. BUY IT

Coffee Table Book of Max Manuals.......2000-06-28

This book is excellent for anyone who already has a working knowledge of Max3. The 20 effects covered in the book are clearly explained with lots of pictures, all of which could easily be used to give your demo reel or project extra flair. The whole book is printed in color. My favorite lessons are the Moving Crowd, Glowing Trail, and Realistic Eyeball (best eyeball tutorial I've seen). Each lesson also contains techniques that could be applied elsewhere. Not a comprehensive manual, more like a bag of tricks. Very good!

Inside 3D Studio MAX 3 Modeling, Materials, and Rendering

Average customer rating:

For those in the area
Not so professional
Not so professional
A must buy - But not a FIRST buy if you're a dummie.
A must buy - But not a FIRST buy if you're a dummie.

Inside 3D Studio MAX 3 Modeling, Materials, and Rendering
Jeremy Hubbell , and Ted Boardman
Manufacturer: New Riders Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Textbook Binding

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ASIN: 0735700850

Amazon.com

3D Studio Max version 3 is a mature and flexible 3-D modeling, animation, and rendering tool. Inside 3D Studio Max 3: Modeling, Materials, and Rendering reflects and illuminates the depth of the application it covers.

Written by two authorized Max instructors and experienced teachers, this comprehensive volume sprinkles screen shots, tips, and notes amidst clearly written step-by-step tutorials.

The book is structured in three parts: modeling, materials, and rendering. Each section describes by example multiple techniques and their various applications. For example, in the first section, "Modeling," techniques for polygonal, nurbs, and patch modeling are described, in addition to modeling for real-time 3-D games vs. modeling for high-resolution feature films.

The section on rendering effects is outstanding. With examples and tutorials, the power of Max's rendering tools is explained and demonstrated: glows, lens flares, lighting effects, camera effects, highlights, and focal effects are explained.

As informative as the book is, it furnishes virtually no information on animation, bones, constraints, or modeling for animation. In addition, only three pages cover Max's powerful scripting language, Maxscript. To the credit of the authors, these are complex and deep topics, and would require several hundred pages to be properly documented. We can only hope that a future volume from this great authoring team will properly address these topics. --Mike Caputo

Book Description

Inside 3D Studio MAX 3 Modeling, Materials, and Rendering is the only in-depth guide dedicated to modeling, materials, and rendering with 3D Studio MAX. You go inside the advanced modeling, texturing, and rendering features of 3D Studio MAX and learn how to use these features to get professional results. Real-world tutorials, advanced tips, and insider tricks take you beyond the basics and help you master high-end techniques. The CD-ROM is loaded with MAX and AVI files, models, materials, and textures for polishing your skills with the book's tutorials.

Customer Reviews:

For those in the area.......2001-04-19

A solid introduction to Max for those who are already aware of the area. This book explains the use of Max's wide range of tools in a tutorial format. Probably not ideal for anyone who lacks a basic understanding of 3D. This book could benifit from greater expalination of the way the tools are used. Nevertheless, well written with well set out examples.

Not so professional.......2000-07-11

If you send a CD along with a book - the files you claim to be on the CD should actually be on it! If you spend some time with the 3D Studio MAX 3 Reference Volumes, you will learn a lot more than you'll ever learn from this book, wich basically only repeats the same things found in the Reference Volumes. There are much better books on MAX out there - so this is not a good choice.

Not so professional.......2000-07-11

A must buy - But not a FIRST buy if you're a dummie........2000-01-12

If you have experience with earlier 3D Studio MAX versions (or with any other 3D application - which is always helpful), you can't find any dificulties to follow this book. But don't buy it as your first 3D Studio MAX book. First, this book is directed for the Modeling, Material and Rendering concepts. Sometimes it make some references to commands and terms that you can't understand or just don't know were to find it if you don't have any previous MAX experience. I'm a great 3D enthusiast but I've never found the time to make anything serious (but I would love to - perhaps when I consolidate my MSCE+I carreer, I'll follow some 3DS MAX serious studies =). I've bought this book first and found it a bit dificult to follow. Sometimes I've spent more than 5 minutes to figure out we're this xxxx command or what does it mean by xxx? So, I've bought the "Inside 3d Studio MAX 3" (ISBN 073570905X) and all becames clear. They really complement each other. Of course, you can then follow other books like "3D Studio MAX R3 f/x and design", "3D Studio MAX R3 in depth" and the great "3D Studio MAX 3 Media Animation".. Although I don't have them yet, I'm planning to buy all them and I've heard browsed them and have heard many good words and reviews about them. Most Newsriders books (at least the ones about 3DS MAX) are great books, by the exception of "3DS Max 3 Fundamentals", which I dislike A LOT.

A must buy - But not a FIRST buy if you're a dummie........2000-01-12

If you have experience with earlier 3D Studio MAX versions (or with any other 3D application - it always helpful), you can't find it dificult to follow this book. But don't buy it as your first 3D Studio MAX book. First, this book is directed for the Modeling, Material and Rendering concepts. Sometimes it make some references to commands and terms that you can't understand or just don't know were to find it. I'm a great 3D enthusias but I've never made anything serious (but I would love to - perhaps when I consolidate my MSCE+I carreer, I'll follow some 3DS MAX serious studies =). I've bought this book first and found it a bit dificult to follow. Sometimes I've spent more than 5 minutes to figure out "we're this xxxx command" or "what does it mean by xxx"? So, I've bought the "Inside 3d Studio MAX 3" (ISBN 073570905X) and all becames clear. They really complement each other. Of course, you can then follow other books like "3D Studio MAX R3 f/x and design", "3D Studio MAX R3 in depth" and the great "3D Studio MAX 3 Media Animation".. Although I don't have them yet, I'm planning to buy all them and I had a quick look at them and I also heard many good words and reviews about them. Most Newsriders books (at least the ones about 3DS MAX) are great books. But don't BUY THE 3DS MAX R3 fundamentals. I heard MOST people (from the beginner to pros) says that it sucks.

Average customer rating:

Got 3D Max Yesterday - Feelin' Like A Pro Today
If you want to learn 3D Studio Max, get ready to take off...
I read every page!
Not worth its prize ...
Can't do without it!

Harnessing 3D Studio MAX Release 3
Michele Bousquet
Manufacturer: Thomson Delmar Learning
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Inside 3D Studio MAX 3 Modeling, Materials, and Rendering

Accessories:

Harnessing 3D Studio Max (3ds Max)

ASIN: 076680576X

Amazon.com

3D Studio Max 3 is an enormous program that can easily intimidate a new user. The dense interface, sliding windows filled with options, and array of modeling and rendering options can form a jungle in which one is easily lost. Fortunately, in Harnessing 3D Studio Max: Release 3, we have a trustworthy, experienced guide.

Author Michele Bousquet is that rare combination of talented user, experienced instructor, and outstanding writer. New Max users are lucky that she has penned a book that not only covers all Max basics, but does so in words that aren't couched in jargon. For some users, even the Max manuals and tutorial booklet are a bit murky. This book illuminates Max's features in a clear, bright light.

In just over 800 pages, every important feature is covered: introduction to the Max interface, different modeling methods, applying materials, cameras and lighting, animation, rendering, and special effects. Missing, however, is a section on MaxScript, the software's powerful scripting feature. Still, this book is geared toward new users of Max, and using MaxScript presumably isn't their first priority.

A generous use of screenshots and a well-spaced text layout make this book easy to read, and each chapter features tutorials on the topic at hand. An important feature of the book is the set of review questions at the end of each chapter, making this an excellent curriculum guide for those teaching Max.

The enclosed CD-ROM includes all the files used in the book, including textures, but it also includes a wide variety of plug-ins, texture maps, and a document listing Web-based Max resources.

This is not a book for someone who knows his or her way around Max. But for users new to the program, or struggling with it and now feeling lost in the jungle, Harnessing 3D Studio Max might be just the ticket to clarity. --Mike Caputo

Book Description

This is an introduction to the power of 3D Studio MAX software and its applications. Learn the commands and concepts of this popular animation software in a sequence that is easy to understand. 3D Studio MAX applications are presented and reinforced through tutorials and exercises. A CD-ROM includes lessons and examples, as well as drawing files and AVIs that link to tutorials and exercises in the book and Workbook. Lesson sequence has been field-tested and the lessons build on one another to make learning 3D Studio MAX simple and straightforward. Keywords: 3D Studio MAX

Customer Reviews:

Got 3D Max Yesterday - Feelin' Like A Pro Today.......2001-08-01

Unlike my multimedia professors, this book teaches clearly, in a way that I, the student, can absorb and retain the information!

Never having taken any 3D classes, first, I gathered a heavy stack of 3D Max 3 books at the bookstore and plopped down on the floor. I took my time browsing through the first chapter of each book to get an idea of what would happen once home when I crack the tutorials open and test drive them. Would they be difficult or easy to follow?

Harnessing wasn't the prettiest book, but it's what's on the inside that counts. I decided to spend my money on Harnessing for a few key reasons.

The information before the first tutorial focussed on practicality - jobs in the field. That's what I'm talkin''bout! I don't want to just do this for hobby, but as a student, target my specific area of interest to enter this field to profit.

The other deciding factor was the simplistic tutorial approach. Each sentence of instructions tells you where to look for the tool PLUS gives an illustrated icon of the tool you're looking for! A beginner like me can NOT go wrong.

The author seems to understand that 3D Max newbies will be anxious to jump in, so the first tutorial allows us to get that out of our systems by doing some basics. Then the tutorials begin to build, and you begin to learn. But the learning isn't so wordy you're looking for the "Next Tutorial - 2 Miles Ahead" sign. It's a nice balance of technical insight and hands-on.

I haven't even opened the accomanying CD, yet I am sold on this book. It's harder to put down than a best-selling novel! But I have to put it down because I have homework.

If you can't tell, I highly reccomend this book!

If you want to learn 3D Studio Max, get ready to take off..........2001-07-07

I admit that I am not the worlds best in 3DS Max. I have tried NUMEROUS books and found little use, some assumed you were an overall expert or a total [beginner].

This book, by far, teaches in high detail step-for-step on how to surpass the learning curve and get into a comfort zone using 3D Studio Max.

NEVER have I read a book that takes you from the beginner level to the semi-advanced level with so much detail and explanation. The author, Michele Bousquet, seems to have much experience in teaching this software because I was able to follow the tutorials and feel confident in doing so. I hope she writes another book for 3DS Max 4.

I read every page!.......2000-12-17

As a new user to 3d Studio Max, I had previously purchased 3d Studio Max Workshop and made it half way through the book but lost interest since I found the workshop model that you follow through the entire book to be completely uninspiring for me despite the positive reviews of that book. After a few days of not wanting to open Max on my pc and feeling pretty defeated, I borrowed Harnessing 3d Studio Max 3 from a friend and now don't want to return it. The book must be read from the beginning to the end since the tutorials build from previous chapters. I savored every word and found there was a tutorial every 2-3 pages. I loved the book and now after 800 pages feel like I can move around Max with some confidence and am better able to look for more advanced books that will focus on specifically what I want to accomplish with Max. The book is written as though it's a course book for teaching Max to students. The book's forward says there is a companion workbook you can order through AutoDesk Press that expands on the chapter tutorials. I would definitely would like that. It is definitely a beginners book but if you have been frustrated with Max and are willing to spend some time with a 800 page book I would definitely recommend this book!

Not worth its prize ..........2000-08-30

If you are all but a total novice and have been even superficially introduced to 3DMAX ( no matter which relase ) this book is not for you. It is obvious even at the first glimpse at the book that it's not going to bring on any novelty to the non-beginner ... And the inadequacy of its description ( both on the back cover and online ) is just a scandal. As an advanced user I was attracted by the internet reviews but I have to say that after having read the book I found it of a really poor quality and the only part that was new to me was just a couple of pages on f/x. I would never recommend this book to anyone including the beginners for whom I'd find better books to start with. DON'T BUY IT AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY MISTAKE !!!

Can't do without it!.......2000-07-20

Being a first time user of 3D Studio I have found this book invaluable in getting started. The book itself is well laid out starting with the basics and evolving slowly into more complex applications of 3D Studio.

I highly recommend this book to people who are just starting out with 3D Studio as it is easy to read (no big complex explanations), easy to follow step-by-step directions and comes with a comprehensive add-on CD.

Amazon.com

3D Studio Max 3 Fundamentals unravels the intimidating maze of Kinetix's powerful animation software, bringing the special features of version 3 into focus. Although ideally suited for new users of Max, the author has sprinkled the book liberally with sidebars that help users of older versions get up to speed quickly with Max 3's new or changed features.

The book opens with a very handy explanation of computer animation fundamentals and 3-D graphics terms, plus a tour of the Max interface. It also pays special attention to some of the new features found in Max 3, such as the new file annotation feature (File Properties) and Max 3's new ability to reference external files and use them in a scene without importing them (called "XREFs" for "external references").

Knowing that you have to be able to build your model before you put it into a scene, "Modeling Fundamentals" covers Max 3's five basic modeling methods--spline, mesh, parametric, patch, and NURBS modeling--in detail with examples. The advantages of each method are defined, and suggestions for when to use each method (spline for organic modeling vs. mesh for general modeling) are provided.

"Scene Composition Fundamentals" explains basic composition concepts. Knowing which type of light to use, how to position and animate a camera, the focal length of the camera lens--these are some of the properties that impact the look of a scene. Plenty of illustrations and screen shots are used to demonstrate, for example, the difference in falloff values of lights, or the different rendering modes and how they impact the look of the final image.

"Animation Fundamentals" lays out, in understandable terms, how to go about animating in Max and what properties you can animate (just about anything). Tools receiving expert attention and liberal use of screen shots include motion paths, function curves, and the new Track View window.

The tutorials in this book offer a different perspective on how to use Max than the tutorials in Kinetix's own manuals, yet they drive home the same methodologies and procedures. Not only does this reinforce what an experienced user may already know, it helps new users climb the learning curve quickly, making "3D Studio Max 3 Fundamentals" an excellent supplemental book for any new user of the software. --Mike Caputo

Book Description

Whether you are new to 3D Studio MAX, upgrading from a previous release, or moving from 2D to 3D design, 3D Studio MAX X Fundamentals has everything you need to get up to speed quickly and easily. With fully illustrated examples, easy-to-follow exercises, time saving tips, and helpful notes, you'll learn how to build fundamental objects, create realistic textures, light a scene, place cameras, render basic animation, and more. This hands-on guide also explains complex 3D design concepts in a simple, easy-to-understand language to give you a solid foundation in the basics.

Customer Reviews:

The point is moot...but this book is wonderful........2001-06-09

I know the point is late in coming since Peterson has moved on to AutoDesk Press and MAX4 is now the proper subject of any review, but there is no way this book deserves the poor reviews it has received from a couple of reviewers here.

There are two books on the market that new users of MAX should consider: 3D Studio MAX 3 Fundamentals by Michael Todd Peterson and 3D Studio MAX 3 In Depth by Rob Polevoi. Of the two, this one is the more basic and gradual. The thing that both of these volumes have in common is that they seek to create an understanding of working in MAX rather than simply describing the programs functions.

It is true that instructions and illustrations are not repeated again and again throughout the book, but I count that as a strength, not a weakness. If you need to remember what the MeshSmooth button looks like, refer to Illustration 1.1!

This book is head and shoulders above 3D Studio MAX 3 Visual Quickstart Guide, and I believe 3D Studio MAX 3 Bible and Mastering 3D Studio MAX 3. Visual Quickstart (and to a lesser extent the other two titles) simply lists the "steps" to perform each function without giving you an understanding how all the parts work together to actually create animations.

For MAX4 users, got to Petersons new book from Autodesk Press or Boardmans book from New Riders. I Haven't seen the new volume of In Depth yet, but it seems to have nearly doubled in press, so I would steer towards these two.

Buy another book instead.......2000-08-16

In a nutshell, this book misses ilustrations, no pictures of buttons after the presentation of them in chapter One. The author takes for granted lots of things in his step by step tutorials. I have also had problems following instructions in the first animation exercise. Steve Burke did a great job in the cover but not in the book itself. LOOK, what a beginner expects in a book that says FUNDAMENTALS is visual help, when I decided to buy this book I came to this same page and did not consider what the other people wrote about how terribly writen and designed this book was, I thought the others who gave 5 stars were the ones I should listen to and here I am completly disappointed. I have read and practiced the book cover-to-cover and it is incredible how dissociate topics are, how irrelevant examples are and how graphically poor this book is. This book is an act of irreponsability towards beginners a waste of money if compared to the visual quickstart guide and other books that were written instead of dictated to a secretary and better illustrated in the inside than in the outside.

Reasons why you should NOT buy this book.......2000-08-13

Well, if you are dealing with 3D Studio for a month already or have read another book on the theme this book would not suffice your expectations. What if you have not read a previous book or have not been working with 3D studio? The answer is the same no. Have in mind 3D Studio has an interface divided into 3 singular menus/tabs not including the menu Bar, if you can not go through one to another you will be lost and won't be able to accomplish any project and that is the main problem with Toddy's book, there are no pictures! He presents the tabs in the first chapter and that means that you will have to memorize all the buttons and where they are because he won't show a single picture of a button after that chapter. The book misses essential examples and places other that are completely irrelevant. The first project you will be challenged to do is to create your first animation. As I could not accomplish it after 3 hard working and dedicated nights, I decided to share the problem with other students of 3D animation here in Barcelona. They could not accomplish it either but took the book to an animation professor who rewrote the steps and added the missing writen information (the author forgot to assert points that were essential) besides drawing all the buttons that should be shown in the book. Kind of stupid to have it done in 2 hours after this editing. Of course, you can learn something with this book but it will take you a lot of time to accomplish simple things due to lack of graphical help (Steve Burke was suppposed to do it but he spent more time doing the nomad with plastic-like breast and rubber-like pants that appears in the cover) and examples and a considerable amount of technical errors. Concerning the CD-ROM it is good but the whole set (book and cd) is not worth your time and money, buy '3D Studio Max R3 in Depth' by Rob Palevoi instead, you won't regret.

Don't buy this book........2000-04-03

Difficult to decipher, hardly any visual references, and just plain boring. For a really decent introduction to 3D Studio try the Visual Quickstart book.

3d riddle.......2000-03-09

Well this book just kept me solving riddles. But it took me unnecessarily long to solve them because of editing mistakes. (I found about 15 by now and I am at page 193).

It would also be helpful if they would use pictures of the buttons they describe. And the exercises led to different (still nice and effective) results because of vague descriptions. A rather discouraging experience.

If your are a visual type by learning THIS is NOT the book for you. All the commands are written out and not shown by symbol-this kept me searching where I should click next. I struggle on BUT... it could be sooo much easier.

Average customer rating:

Excellent for all beginners.

fabulous first time MAX tutorial

This was a great book....and I intend to buy it!

Great book !

Where's the CD?

Sams Teach Yourself 3D Studio Max 3 in 24 Hours
Dave Kalwick
Manufacturer: Sams
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Web Graphics | Web Design | Web Development | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
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3D Studio Max 3 Magic (with CD-ROM for Windows)

3D Studio Max 3.0 Workshop

Inside 3D Studio MAX 3 Modeling, Materials, and Rendering

3ds Max 8 Bible

ASIN: 0672318644

Book Description

Sams Teach Yourself 3D Studio Max 3 in 24 Hours teaches you to complete an animated short using upwards of 30 features within the program. And, by creating a final real-world project, you'll experience the concepts behind the entire process of creating 3D models and animation.

Download Description

Customer Reviews:

Excellent for all beginners........2001-06-16

I've spent 13 years working in 3D computer graphics, but never once touched 3D Studio Max. A couple of weeks ago I had a hankering to start, and needed a book to guide me. A few false starts later, and I came across Sams "Teach Yourself" book. It's excellent. There's a couple of minor problems with it though they don't detract from the book. (Some of the images in the sections about shapes are very difficult to de-cipher). There's no CD with the book, but everything is downloadable from their website mentioned in the first chapter. If you need an easy way into 3DS Max, this is the book you should use. By the third evening with the book, I was already producing some pretty nifty renders, much to my wife's dismay. Now not only do I spend a lot of time playing RollerCoaster Tycoon, I spend a lot of time with Max too.....

fabulous first time MAX tutorial.......2001-05-17

Whether you are new to 3d modeling entirely, or just trying to convert your skills from some other 3d modeling package to MAX, this book is a great first-time MAX introduction. Buy this book now!

If you go through this book in order you will not get "hung up" trying to figure out how to do something (like happens in some other tutorial books) because the examples are amazingly clear. Each example comes with lots of pictures and very specific numbered sequences telling you what you should do.

Experienced modelers may find the book somewhat wordy. However, going through the tutorials quickly will teach you the 'MAX religion' and get you off on the right foot. When your later trying to figure out why something dosn't work as you expect, you can find a tutorial which does it, and be reminded EXACTLY how to make it work. I have some amateur experience with SoftImage and TrueSpace and i found the book incredibly useful.

Even though this book is for MAX R3, I used it for R4 and it was great. The only thing about R4 which didn't match the examples was the modifier stack/modifier chooser -- but it's enough the same that you can figure it out.

This was a great book....and I intend to buy it!.......2001-03-16

I've spent hours on the internet looking thru hordes of internet tutorials to find that I have failed to complete a single one...what am I looking for you ask? A 3ds max for dummies...but since I havn't seen one of those this book will suffice, if your a dummy, like me, and need complete explinations then this book is for you, and for me as well!!

Great book !.......2001-03-16

I never took the time to write a review before..but after reading and trying out this book I have to say it is the best 3d max book for beginners ! I bought other books before and I gave up because I was bored to death but this one is really interesting and touches a lot of important aspects of the software in a very clear way...I am now finshing modeling my first character using all the technique I picked up from the book. I wish the author of this book will write an advanced book to continue from the place this one sttoped so I can make my new modelings realy come to life : )

Where's the CD?.......2000-09-26

Where the heck is the CD? I sent the book back the first time because I thought it was an error that it wasn't sent to me.

You need to stop advertising that the book has a CD -- it DOESN'T!

Average customer rating:

For creative people

A very good start

3D Studio MAX 2.5 & 3.0 Training CD (Complete Support Training CD)
Barry Wagar
Manufacturer: OpenCAD International Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM
ASIN: 1891873105

Book Description

This CD delivers Comprehensive training in 3D Studio MAX 2.5 & and 3D Studio MAX 3.0

Topics covered on this CD include photorealistic lighting, camera matching, introduction to MAXScript, organic & inorganic modeling techniques, modeling with modifiers, creating custom materials, Boolean operations, lofting, Video Post, working with alpha channel images, volume lights, combustion, particle systems, space warps, putting objects on paths, using expression controllers, using the Track View editor, skinning, etc.

This CD features more than 100 projects for 3D Studio MAX 2.5 & 3.0. All the projects on CD are step by step, hands on tutorials, complete with source files. You will find dozens of models you can incorporate into your own scenes, while learning how to create thousands more.

Note, many of the projects on the CD can be completed by 3D Studio MAX Release 2.0 users.

Customer Reviews:

For creative people.......2000-05-08

There are lot of beginners who love to start doing 3D animations and stuff. So i think this book and CDs will help them a lot to learn by themself.

A very good start.......2000-03-29

this is an excellent beginning for those interested in creating wonders with 3d studio max version 3 the only reason I gave only 4 stars is because of the lack of sufficient hard copy documentation for off computer reading)

Average customer rating:

3D Studio Max 3 - Guia de Aprendizaje
Michele Matossian
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Computación e internet | Libros en español | Formats | Books

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 8420530492

3D Studio Max 3 - Manual Imprescindible (Manuales Imprescindibles)

Average customer rating:

3D Studio Max 3 - Manual Imprescindible (Manuales Imprescindibles)
Francisco Zarandieta Moran
Manufacturer: Anaya Multimedia
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Computación e internet | Libros en español | Formats | Books

Average customer rating:

3D Studio MAX 3 Advanced by OpenCAD
Nancy Fulton
Manufacturer: Opencad Intl Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM

Book Description

This easy to install electronic book contains 37 step-by-step tutorials for 3D Studio MAX Release 3.0 covering:

* Placing Photographed Characters into Rendered Scenes
* Creating Optical Effects Using Raytraced materials
* Creating Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires and Emeralds
* Creating Particle Systems with Animated Particles
* Making Humanoid Faces with NURBS and Meshes
* Lofting Terrains
* Using Proxy Objects and Xrefs to Reduce File Size
* Linking and Animating a Knight in Armor
* Simple Bones and Skinning
* Creating an Assembly Line
* Explosive Combustion and Bombs
* Making a Clock Work
* Introduction to Expression Controllers
* More Advanced Expression Controllers
* Physical Dynamics Calculator
* Using Sunlight Systems
* Special Effects with Particle Systems and Lens Effects Highlights
* Creating Candle Light with Lens Effects
* Animating Xray Views with Video Post
* Using Hand Drawn Animation in MAX Scenes
* Clouds, Fog and Projecting Darkness
* Camera Matching Survival Guide
* Making Shadows Fall in Background Images
* Creating a Simple Script for MAXScript
* Creating Custom Toolbars and User Interfaces
* Importing AutoCAD Drawings into 3D Studio MAX

This training CD contains the standard Autodesk Learning Assistance browser and takes just minutes to install. This product contains no animation or audio components, which means it runs quickly on standard Windows workstations, and can be conveniently used as a training and comprehensive reference tool even by employees in busy office environments and and students in computer labs.

Each tutorial delivers between one and three hours of hands-on instruction. The CD delivers more than 60 hours of training and 400 full size, full color illustrations.

The system requirements for this CD are: Win 98, NT, 2000, 32mb of RAM, 100 MB of disk space, and the 3D Studio MAX 3 software.

If you are looking for comprehensive, hands-on, step-by-step instruction in 3D Studio MAX 3, then this is the product for you. Its projects can be undertaken in any order and can be printed for offline use. Use its search tools to find lessons covering topics of particular interest.

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