Autodesk 3ds Max 2015 Essentials

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

Chapter 1: The 3ds Max Interface
Chapter 2: Your First 3ds Max Project
Chapter 3: Modeling in 3ds Max: Architectural Model Part I
Chapter 4: Modeling in 3ds Max: Architectural Model Part II
Chapter 5: Introduction to Animation
Chapter 6: Animation Principles
Chapter 7: Character Modeling Part I
Chapter 8: Character Modeling Part II
Chapter 9: Introduction to Materials
Chapter 10: Textures and UV Workflow: The Alien
Chapter 11: Character Studio: Rigging
Chapter 12: Character Studio: Animation
Chapter 13: Introduction to Lighting: Interior Lighting
Chapter 14: 3ds Max Rendering
Chapter 15: mental ray
Appendix A: Autodesk 3ds max Certification