3Ds Max 2008 Bible

Master the complexities of 3ds Max by working through more than 150 short tutorials under the guidance of 3D expert Kelly Murdock. If you're a beginner, a Quick Start chapter shows you how to create an exciting animation your first day using the software. You'll find extensive detail on the latest features, allowing quick ramp-up for veterans of earlier 3ds versions. In addition, the book includes a 16-page, full-color insert with examples of cutting-edge 3ds Max art as well as a DVD with all the examples in the book, models and textures you can customize, a full-color and searchable PDF of the book.

Biography

Kelly Murdock has been authoring computer books for many years now and still gets immense enjoyment from the completed work. His book credits include various 3D, graphics, multimedia, and Web titles, including seven previous editions of this book, 3ds Max Bible. Other major accomplishments include Edgeloop Character Modeling for 3D Professionals Only, Maya 6 and 7 Revealed, LightWave 3D 8 Revealed, Poser 6 and 7 Revealed, 3D Game Animation For Dummies, gmax Bible, Adobe Atmosphere Bible, Master VISUALLY HTML and XHTML, JavaScript Visual Blueprint, and co-authoring duties on two editions of the Illustrator Bible (for versions 9 and 10) and three editions of the Adobe Creative Suite Bible.
With a background in engineering and computer graphics, Kelly has been all over the 3D industry and still finds it fascinating. He’s used high-level CAD workstations for product design and analysis, completed several large-scale visualization projects, created 3D models for feature films and games, worked as a freelance 3D artist, and even done some 3D programming. Kelly’s been using 3D Studio since version 3 for DOS. Kelly has also branched into training others in 3D technologies. He teaches at the local university and is a frequent speaker at various conferences.

Table of Contents

About the Author.

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

Part I: Getting Started with 3ds Max.

Quick Start: Creating and Flying Through a Greek Temple.

Chapter 1: Exploring the Max Interface.

Chapter 2: Controlling and Configuring the Viewports.

Chapter 3: Working with Files, Importing, and Exporting.

Chapter 4: Customizing the Max Interface and Setting Preferences.

Part II: Working with Objects.

Chapter 5: Creating and Editing Primitive Objects.

Chapter 6: Selecting Objects, Setting Object Properties, and Using Layers and the Scene Explorer.

Chapter 7: Transforming Objects, Pivoting, Aligning, and Snapping.

Chapter 8: Cloning Objects and Creating Object Arrays.

Chapter 9: Grouping, Linking, and Parenting Objects.

Part III: Modeling Basics.

Chapter 10: Learning Modeling Basics and Working with Subobjects and Helpers.

Chapter 11: Drawing and Editing 2D Splines and Shapes.

Chapter 12: Modeling with Polygons.

Chapter 13: Introducing Modifiers and Using the Modifier Stack.

Part IV: Materials, Cameras, and Lighting Basics.

Chapter 14: Exploring the Material Editor.

Chapter 15: Creating and Applying Standard Materials.

Chapter 16: Creating Compound Materials and Using Material Modifiers.

Chapter 17: Adding Material Details with Maps.

Chapter 18: Configuring and Aiming Cameras.

Chapter 19: Using Lights and Basic Lighting Techniques.

Part V: Animation and Rendering Basics.

Chapter 20: Understanding Animation and Keyframe Basics.

Chapter 21: Animating with Constraints and Controllers.

Chapter 22: Learning to Render a Scene.

Part VI: Advanced Modeling.

Chapter 23: Building Complex Scenes with XRefs and Using Vault.

Chapter 24: Working with the Schematic View.

Chapter 25: Deforming Surfaces and Using the Mesh Modifiers.

Chapter 26: Working with Compound Objects

Chapter 27: Modeling with Patches and NURBS.

Chapter 28: Adding and Styling Hair, Fur, and Cloth.

Part VII: Advanced Materials.

Chapter 29: Using Specialized Material Types.

Chapter 30: Unwrapping UVs and Using Pelt Mapping.

Chapter 31: Creating Baked Textures and Normal Maps.

Part VIII: Advanced Animation Techniques.

Chapter 32: Using Animation Modifiers.

Chapter 33: Animating with the Expression Controller and Wiring Parameters.

Chapter 34: Working with Function Curves in the Track View.

Chapter 35: Using Animation Layers and the Motion Mixer.

Part IX: Dynamic Animation.

Chapter 36: Creating Particles and Particle Flow.

Chapter 37: Using Space Warps.

Chapter 38: Simulating Physics-Based Motion with reactor.

Part X: Working with Characters.

Chapter 40: Understanding Rigging and Working with Bones.

Chapter 41: Working with Inverse Kinematics.

Chapter 42: Creating and Animating Bipeds and Crowds.

Chapter 43: Skinning Characters.

Part XI: Advanced Lighting and Rendering.

Chapter 44: Working with Advanced Lighting, Light Tracing, and Radiosity.

Chapter 45: Using Atmospheric and Render Effects.

Chapter 46: Raytracing and mental ray.

Chapter 47: Batch and Network Rendering.

Chapter 48: Compositing with Render Elements and the Video Post Interface.

Part XII: MAXScript and Plug-Ins.

Chapter 49: Automating with MAXScript.

Chapter 50: Expanding Max with Third-Party Plug-Ins.

Appendix A: What’s New with 3ds Max 2008.

Appendix B: Installing and Configuring 3ds Max 2008.

Appendix C: 3ds Max 2008 Keyboard Shortcuts.

Appendix D: What’s on the DVD.

Index.

End-User License Agreement.

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