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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

UVs and UV layouts are vital elements in creating textures for our 3d models. They allow us to tell the program how to apply the 2d images we create. Having good UVs can really make a difference in speeding up texture creation and optimizing your results.

Popular highlights include: Overview of Standard Light Types; Overview of Photometric Lights; Controlling Light Decay and Attenuation; Modeling Environments to Scale for Accurate Lighting; Using Shadow Maps for Efficient Rendering; Utilizing Accurate Raytraced Shadows; Creating Soft and Diffuse Shadows; Real-world Lighting Profiles with Photometric Lights; Exposure Controls to View HDR Renders; Outdoor Lighting with Daylight System and Skylight; Altering Rendering Controls for Objects; Adding Glow Effects to Geometry and Lights; Creating Volumetric Lighting Effects; Radiosity to Simulate Indirect Illumination; Using the Light Lister; Creating Gobo Effects.

Popular highlights include: Reference Coordinate System; Choosing an Axis Order for Control Objects; Custom Toolbars; Customizing Quad Menus; Layers; Expressions; Wired Parameters; Forward Kinematics vs. Inverse Kinematics; List Controllers; Position Constraint; LookAt Constraint; Orientation Constraint; Link Constraint; Control Objects; Control Object Reservoir; Bone Tools; Mirroring Bones; Scaling Bones; The IK Solvers of Max; Creating an FK Spline Rig; IK FK Snapping; Skin Modifier; Morpher Modifier; Skin Morph Modifier; Skin Wrap Modifier; Rigging Techniques; Custom Parameters; Smooth and Rigid Skinning; Painting Weights; Weight Tool and Weight Table; Mirroring Envelopes; Exporting Envelopes; Angle Deformers; Quick and Easy Muscles with Bones; Selection Sets.

Popular highlights include: NURBS Workflow; Polygon Workflow; Splines and Patches Workflow; Scene Organization with Layers; Smoothing Methods; Working with Sub-objects; Sub-object Selection Methods; Adding Viewport Background Images; Scale Deformation; Cloning Geometry and Shapes; Mirroring Geometry; Sweep Modifier; Shell Modifier; Symmetry Modifier; Surface Modifier; FFD Modifiers; Lathe Modifier; Modifier Stack; Moving Pivot Points; Transforming Geometry and Shapes; Modifying Creation Parameters; Creating Booleans; Attaching and Detaching Objects; Welding Vertices; Rendering and Viewing Curves; HSDS Modifier for Subdivision Surfaces.

Popular highlights include: Overview of Animation Tools in Max; Manipulating Animation with Curve Editor; Methods for Fine-tuning Animation; Ghosting Animation; Animating with Expressions; Wiring Parameters; Real-time Previewing; Cloning Key-frames; Exploring Dope Sheet; Path Animation; Layering Animation; Seamlessly Cycling Animation; Saving and Loading Animation; Trackbar Menu; Understanding Trajectories; Motion Mixer Overview; Creating Track Sets; Filtering F-curves; Scaling Keys in Time and Value; Breaking Continuity of Tangents for Weight; Animating with Link Constraint; Setting Default In and Out Tangents; Understanding the Time Configuration Dialog.

Popular highlights include: mental ray Overview; Global Illumination Workflow; Final Gather Workflow; Caustics Workflow; Emitting GI Photons from Light Sources; Photon Energy and Decay Parameters; Controlling Final Gather Accuracy; Adding Secondary Final Gather Bounces; Mixing Final Gather and Global Illumination; Saving and Reusing Lighting Data; Image-based Lighting; HDR Exposure Controls; Emitting Caustic Photons from Lights; Optimizing Caustic Photon Use; Subsurface Scattering Shader; Ambient Occlusion Shader; mental ray Architectural Material; Utilizing the Material Editor; Contour Line Rendering; Using Render Elements; Scene States; Compositing Rendered Passes.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Aligning objects into particular formations; Using the Align Selection palette; Understanding the X, Y, and Z positions; Customizing your scene with the Align tool. For a complete overview of 3ds Max check out Introduction to mental ray in 3ds Max, a complete guide to learning an essential workflow to rendering with mental ray.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Organizing our scene ; Accessing and freezing layers; Adding geometry to a specific layer; Working with visibility; Learning about radiosity. Discover a comprehensive resource to learning 3ds Max with Introduction to Lighting in 3ds Max, an introductory guide to adding greater realism to your scenes with lighting.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Taking measurements within our scene; Creating a Standard Helper; Specifying a length; Learning how to snap. To learn more about 3ds Max check out Creating Cartoon Characters in 3ds Max, a complete guide to learning a production workflow to creating organic cartoon characters.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Measuring angles between different pieces; Creating a protractor and dropping it in our scene; Using the Modify Panel; Utilizing the Dummy Objects. For more information on 3ds Max check out the 3ds Max Modeling Bundle, a complete guide to learning production-based techniques to polygon, NURBS, and spline-based modeling.

Topics covered in this tutorial: Selecting and opening a group; Changing an object's name; Renaming the main and multiple objects; Naming the base, prefix, and suffix.