3ds Max Tutorials

We'll start off by learning how to properly set up and align our reference images in a program like Photoshop. From there we'll learn how to apply our reference images to the viewport background of 3ds Max and discuss some possible issues you may encounter when using the viewport background. Then we'll discuss how to apply our reference images to a plane in 3ds Max to allow for a different type of workflow. We'll wrap up the tutorial by showing you how to apply animated viewport background using an image sequence or a video file to help with animation.

The ability to set up realistic lighting for an interior environment is a skill that is highly sought after in the CG industry. But every digital set comes with it own set of unique problems that need to be overcome. So we will be covering a lot of very common issues that you will want to be aware of such as the proper use of lights and gamma-correction to create physically-accurate light behavior, achieving realistic light bouncing in our scene, optimizing our render speed, using proper gamma-correction on textures and materials inside of 3ds Max, as well as many other tips, tricks, and techniques that will help you become a stronger, more effective rendering artist in 3ds Max.

We will begin the tutorial by learning how to set up a realistic outdoor illumination source, and how to simulate physically-accurate light behavior within our scene. We will then discuss the importance of incorporating a proper linear workflow into our pipeline, which includes using gamma-correction on our textures and materials within 3ds Max. We will also see how we can use a post application like Photoshop to add some finishing touches to our final render with a minimal amount of effort. By the time you complete this tutorial, you will be much better prepared to overcome many of the common challenges faces when rendering an outdoor environment in 3ds Max.

Then we'll discuss the different projection map types and some possible situations of when to use the correct map type. We'll learn how to use the powerful UV mapping tools like Stitch, Relax, Flatten Mapping, Target Welding, and Break. UV mapping is going to be essential for anyone who loves 3d modeling because it's going to allow us to create our very own custom textures to apply to our 3d models.

Throughout these lessons we will look at the basic parameters needed when constructing environments inside Vue. We will also look at building an efficient pipeline between 3ds Max and Vue. By the end of this tutorial, we will have gone over integrating seamless integration between multiple pieces of software in order to achieve our final image.

Throughout this tutorial we are going to talk about FumeFX and PFlow from the basics to more advanced techniques. We'll also cover some rendering techniques in Krakatoa, including the Magma Flow Editor, we'll see how to increment our particle count using the partitioning, and finally we'll look how to composite the particles in NUKE. After completing this tutorial, we'll have a much better understanding of fluids and how to manage and render particles.

This tutorial will cover the creation and implementation of a car rig in 3ds Max. We will look at the creation of a generic animation rig and then expand on this by adding automation and terrain attachment controls.

We are going to take a character mesh all the way through animation in 3ds Max. Throughout the tutorial, we will discuss workflow for an animation pipeline. We will start with rigging with 3ds Max's CAT system and learn some tips and tricks for skinning along the way. We will then talk about planning a shot and setting up a basic cameras. Finally, we take all of our assets and create a two shot animation utilizing the rig we created.

In this training you will learn from several Digital-Tutors instructors, each of whom will be guiding you through a portion of the entire production pipeline used to create our final motion graphics piece. We will begin by exploring many of the powerful modeling tools found in 3ds Max, and utilizing these tools to build our 3D motion graphics elements. From there, we will look at a number of animation tools and features that will allow us to quickly add movement and life to our 3ds Max elements. From there, we will learn how to incorporate dynamic elements such as flowing cloth, smoke, and sparks into our scene. Finally, we will learn how to render out our elements from 3ds Max, and utilize After Effects for final compositing and sweetening of our motion graphics spot.

This tutorial will show how to set up a complex Particle Flow system to make a tornado inside of 3ds Max. Going beyond a traditional vortex field, the tornado that we'll create in this tutorial will employ recursive logic to keep the system alive while still being lightweight enough to be animatable inside the viewport. We will then look at getting much more natural movement by simulating FumeFX based off of the particle simulation. We'll also touch on Krakatoa and using that to render a large number of particles. Partitioning will be covered along with some of the rendering options available. Finally, we'll look at some techniques to fix artifacts in NUKE.

Throughout this tutorial, we'll learn how to create a Particle Flow Source and how to navigate the Particle View interface. We'll also learn how to use many of the most commonly used operators to create a particle system that fits our specific needs in our project. We'll also learn how to utilize space warps like gravity and wind with particle flow to modify the behaviors of our particle systems. Finally, we'll learn how to apply collisions to our particles and even cause our particles to spawn new particles when they collide with a deflector.

Each video in this collection of tutorials is a self-contained lesson centering on one of 3ds Max's object space modifiers. This means that these tutorials can be viewed in any order you wish, allowing you to jump straight to the content that is most beneficial to you. Over the course of these lessons we will discuss all of the parameters and options found in 3ds Max's object space modifiers.

Each video in this collection of tutorials is a self-contained lesson centering on one of 3ds Max's world space modifiers. This means that these tutorials can be viewed in any order you wish, allowing you to jump straight to the content that is most beneficial to you. Over the course of these lessons we will discuss all of the parameters and options found in 3ds Max's world space modifiers.

Planning, reference materials, and imagination will be addressed, so that students are led to optionally create their own version of the tutorial, equipped with the methods they learn in the video. Included is creating a 3D set to scale, how to make models appear large and dramatic, and maximizing the use of 3 simple tools -- extrude, inset and bevel in polygonal modeling. We will create textures for variation in tones of buildings. Cloning of buildings and attention to staging will be discussed and demonstrated, to maximize the use of a limited number of models to achieve a sense of scale, without sacrificing variety. The fly-through will include creating and animating a camera as it travels with a vehicle flying through the model city. Textures will be from the 3ds Max libraries. A procedural map will be used to create a futuristic sky around the scene. We also cover mental ray rendering and the daylight system for sophisticated shadows, ambient lighting and reflections for glass.

This series of videos will guide you through the process of creating realistic renders using V-Ray for 3ds Max. While rendering is an extremely powerful method for enhancing an artist's work, the process can be very confusing for not only beginners but also for advanced users. This course will help simplify the process. We'll begin by learning how to prepare the assets for rendering and continue all the way through to performing post-work on the final render. After completing this tutorial, we'll have a much better understanding of the overall process involved with rendering a realistic character in V-Ray for 3ds Max, as well gaining many valuable tips and tricks for more specific topics like skin shading and linear workflow, which in the end will help the artist add new levels of realism and life to their own work.

We'll start the course off by learning how to navigate through the 3ds Max interface, and navigating in its viewports. We'll then begin exploring many critical aspects of 3ds Max, such as creating and manipulating primitive objects, understanding the various sub object modes of 3ds Max geometry, animating objects in 3ds Max, working with lights and shadows, adding materials and textures to our scenes, rendering out animated sequences, and many other concepts that will provide you with a solid foundational understanding of 3ds Max and it's capabilities.

This training series looks at the modeling and rigging considerations of a cartoon shark in 3ds Max. We look at creating a basic FK skeleton for our shark model and the skinning consideration we need to think about to create some great deformations. We then expand upon our basic FK rig by using Max's built-in modifiers to create an automated swim cycle, finally finishing the tutorial with a quick look at a controller system and corrective shapes.

In this tutorial we'll be discussing some the introductory methods for modeling in 3ds Max 2012 and you should begin to develop techniques that will complement your own style of modeling. Through out these lessons, we will learn a variety of different modeling methods, such as spline modeling that will allow you to model irregular objects with ease. Then we'll learn how to use primitive geometry to build some of the more complex objects of our concept bike. We'll also be introduced to several of the common tools used for modeling in 3ds Max. Finally, we'll learn how to create some basic materials for our bike to create some really stunning 3d renders. By the end of this tutorial, you should have a solid grasp of the different modeling techniques and begin coming up with a modeling style that works best for you.

Step by step, we’ll construct a facial control system that is robust and animator-friendly. We’ll learn everything from how to create Morph targets, how to control Morph Targets with our own custom GUI, we'll learn a fast and efficient way for deforming multiple objects as one unit, we learn a technique for creating fleshy eyes, how to pin objects to a deforming surface, and also become familiar with 3ds Max's powerful Reaction Manager. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have the knowledge you need to create your own facial rigs that produce natural and entertaining expressions.

This tutorial is aimed to show you a variety of techniques utilized to create a finished piece starting from a painting. We will go through several different stages including modeling, lighting and texturing where we will learn various methods which will help us to reach our goal. So by the end of the tutorial, hopefully, you will learn how to avoid turbosmooth, how to give variety in your texturing, how to quickly unwrap objects in UV Layout and etc.

Understanding how to create and modify shading networks is an important skill - one that is essential for recreating the various materials and the different types of surfaces found in the real world. This tutorial will explore topics such as using maps to control transparency, bump, and displacement effects, understanding mapping coordinates to control texture placement, applying textures to particles, combining and layering details from multiple textures, and many other topics that are designed to help you become a stronger, more efficient 3ds Max artist.

These videos will delve in such modeling techniques as spline modeling, polygonal modeling, and sub divisional surfaces. Through these techniques we are going to create a highly detailed steam locomotive model. We will also be exploring some of the graphite modeling tools and their functionality while modeling. All the while keeping an emphasis on the importance of scene management in a production environment.

Using Particle Flow alongside some basic animation principals, we are going to put together a scene from concept to finish. Dabbling into the some special effects using pflow fundamentals, forces, and operator overview. Then, we will put together all the elements into a scene.

We will be looking at the process in 3ds Max, working with shapes and modifiers. We will also be looking at materials, rigging process, and using Pflow for effects. Later, near the end of our demonstration, we will go over rendering passes, painting and compositing effects in Photoshop.

What is Staging? How can it be used to improve the quality of your animations? We will answer these questions as we cover tips and techniques for using this principle to make sure your animations are presented in the clearest way. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a deeper understanding of the principle of Staging, which will help add more entertainment to your work.

Introducing the Beginner Guide to Modeling in 3ds Max, a fundamental learning series brought to you by Digital-Tutors, the largest online CG training library in the world and Autodesk Authorized Publisher. This course is an introductory look into modeling that will enable you to learn essential terms and definitions and build a solid foundation in computer graphics. We will start off by covering the basics of 3d models. We will then take a look at a variety of ways to work with models in 3ds Max. After that, you will learn about some of the 3ds Max tools that can be used to build models. And to wrap up, we will look at how geometry can be assembled into more complex models. This series of step-by-step videos were developed with artists new to 3ds Max in mind so we will be moving at a steady, easy-to-follow pace making sure you understand terms and basic techniques. To view more Beginner Guide tutorials; visit our library where you will find the largest collection of free, high-quality CG training videos.

Introducing the Beginner Guide to Animation in 3ds Max. In this course, we will start off by covering some ways we can view animation in 3ds Max. We will then take a look at how to create and edit keyframes on the 3ds Max trackbar. After that, you will learn about the powerful animation editor in 3ds Max, the Curve Editor. And to wrap up this project, we will go over how to create animated sequence files for previewing your animations in real-time. By the end of the tutorial, you will understand essential terms and definitions and build a solid foundation for animating in 3ds Max.

Introducing the Beginner Guide to Rigging in 3ds Max. In this course, we will start off by covering the most basic form of rigging, parenting. We will then take a look at how to modify the pivot of an object and how to work with groups. After that, you will learn about bones, inverse kinematics, and control objects. And to wrap up this project, we will go over the 3ds Max skinning process for skin deformations. By the end of the course, you will understand essential terms and definitions and build a solid foundation for rigging in 3ds Max.

What is Solid Drawing? How can this 2d concept be implemented in 3d? Throughout this course, we will define Solid Drawing and work through a variety exercises to help explain it. By the end of this course, you will understand the meaning behind the principle of Solid Drawing, which will help you to polish your animations to attain believable movements throughout the actions of your character.

Creating appealing characters is a lot of fun when using powerful sculpting applications like Zbrush or Mudbox in conjunction with 3ds Max. We are able to create models with a very high level of detail in our sculpting applications. But getting those characters into a lower resolution state suitable for rigging and animation can be a little more challenging. In this tutorial, we will go through the process of using 3ds Max and Zbrush to convert a high resolution, sculpted and painted character into a low resolution game-type mesh that can be rigged and animated. We will start by using Decimation Master to reduce the resolution of our model drastically while retaining much of the visual detail. Once we are in 3ds Max, we will build low resolution geometry around these detailed meshes so we can capture the important shapes of the character. We will create uv layouts for the low resolution pieces and finally extract the color and sculpted detail from our high res pieces onto the new mesh. In the end we will have taken a model of 20 million polygons down to approximately 8000 triangles. Once you are done, you will be able to use the workflow to transfer and convert your own high resolution characters into a more useable state.

This course will delve in the animation principle of Anticipation in 3ds Max. Without anticipation, a viewer can totally miss what we are trying to communicate through our characters. So in this course, we cover a few examples of when and how to add this essential component, and, by the end, you will be more knowledgeable of anticipation, which will, in turn, improve your ability as an animator as you use this principle to make sure all actions are clearly conveyed.

In this course, we will explore the animation principle of ease in and ease out in 3ds Max. Why are ease in and ease out so important? Do our characters always need to cushion in and out of their movements, or are there special cases where doing so will just not work? We will answer these questions as we cover tips and techniques for using this principle to help enhance the sense of authenticity in characters. By the end of this course, you will have a deeper understanding of the principle of ease in and ease out, which will help your characters become more life-like to the viewer.

In this course, we will explore the animation principle of follow-through and overlapping in 3ds Max. What should be considered when animating follow-through and overlap? Can follow-through be automated to save time? We will answer these questions as we cover techniques for using this principle to help add more realism to our animations. By the end of this course, you will be more knowledgeable of follow-through and overlapping action, which will help you create more natural-looking animations.

In this tutorial we are going to help you get a good understanding of how to work in 3ds Max. You will be able to learn from several of the instructors here at Digital Tutors as we go through many of the major parts of the software. We are going to cover a wide range of topics in this course. We will start out exploring the user interface and finding our way around 3ds Max. Then we will start to create our own custom model, a pod racer, using a number of powerful modeling tools. We will paint and texture our model, and then take it through the process of rigging and animation. We will finish up by adding dynamic effects to the scene and rendering out a nice result. Once you are finished, you will have exposure to a wide range of disciplines in 3ds Max and be able to start working on your own projects and building on the knowledge you have gained.

This course covers tools and techniques for animating props in 3ds Max. We will discuss methods that are animator-friendly for prop animation. We will learn how to animate constrained objects, and how to blend seamlessly between our space-switches. At the end of this course, you will have the knowledge you need to overcome the challenges of prop animation.

This course will venture into the animation principle of arcs in 3ds Max. What are arcs? Why is this subject so vital in animation? These are but a few questions we will answer as we learn techniques that will assist us in checking for and fixing arcs in our animations. By the end of this course, you will know how to improve your arcs, which will help you become a stronger animator, as you use this principle to add an extra level of realism to the movement of your character.