Autodesk 3ds Max 2016 Essentials

Start animating right away with this tutorial-based guide to Autodesk 3ds Max 2016

Autodesk 3ds Max 2016 Essentials is your perfect hands-on guide to start animating quickly. Using approachable, real-world exercises, you'll master the fundamentals of this leading animation software by following full-color screen shots step by step. Each chapter opens with a quick discussion of concepts and learning objectives, and then launches into hands-on tutorials that give you firsthand experience and a good start on preparing for the 3ds Max certification exam. You'll learn the basics of modeling, texturing, animating, and visual effects as you create a retro-style alarm clock, animate a thrown knife, model a chair, and more. Whether you're a complete beginner or migrating from another 3D application, this task-based book provides the solid grounding you need in Autodesk 3ds Max 2016.

• Model your character with polygons, meshes, and more

• Add motion with simple and complex animations

• Add color and textures to visualize materials and surfaces

• Render interior scenes with great lighting and camera placement

If you want to learn 3ds Max quickly and painlessly, Autodesk 3ds Max 2016 Essentials helps you start animating today.

Autorentext

About the Authors

Randi L. Derakhshani teaches 3D and visual effects at The Art Institute of California and has worked as a digital artist and technical
director for fames and movie projects with Gizmo Games, RJB Enterprises, and Sony. Dariush Derakhshani is an award-winning visual effects supervisor, author, and educator. His movie and TV credits include The Fantastic Four, Pan's Labyrinth, and the South Park TV series, as well as numerous commercials and music videos. Dariush has written all of Sybex's Introducing Maya books. He teaches 3D animation and is the author of Sybex's Introducing Maya book. Randi and Dariush are both Autodesk Certified Instructors.

Inhalt
Introduction xxi Chapter 1 The 3ds Max Interface 1

Navigating the Workspace 1

User-Interface Elements 1

Viewports 4

ViewCube 6

Mouse Buttons 6

Quad Menus 7

Displaying Objects in a Viewport 8

Viewport Navigation 10

Transforming Objects Using Gizmos 11

Graphite Modeling Tools Set 13

Command Panel 14

Object Parameters and Values 14

Modifier Stack 15

Objects and Sub-Objects 15

Time Slider and Track Bar 16

File Management 16

Setting a Project 16

Version Up! 18

Now You Know 18

Chapter 2 Your First 3ds Max Project 19

Setting Up a Project Workflow 19

Exercise 2.1: Setting Up a Project 20

The Secret to Accurate Modeling: Reference Material! 20

Exercise 2.2: Setting Up the Modeling Reference 21

Building a Simple Model 24

Exercise 2.3: Starting with a Primitive 24

Exercise 2.4: Modeling in Sub-Object Mode 25

Exercise 2.5: Bringing on the Bevel 29

Exercise 2.6: Chamfering Time 32

Creating Details Using Splines 38

Exercise 2.7: Building the Handle 38

Lathing, Extruding, and Beveling to Create 3D from 2D 45

Exercise 2.8: Lathing to Make a Whole 45

Exercise 2.9: Creating the Clock Numbers and Hands 48

Bringing It All Together 54

Exercise 2.10: Using Merge 54

Now You Know 56

Chapter 3 Modeling in 3ds Max: Architectural Model Part I 57

Setting Up the Scene 58

Exercise 3.1: Setting Up Units 58

Exercise 3.2: Importing a CAD Drawing 59

Building the Room 63

Exercise 3.3: Creating the Walls 63

Exercise 3.4: Creating the Doors 66

Exercise 3.5: Creating the Window 69

Exercise 3.6: Adding a Floor and a Ceiling 71

Adding Special Details to the Room 74

Exercise 3.7: Creating Baseboard Moldings 75

Now You Know 82

Chapter 4 Modeling in 3ds Max: Architectural Model Part II 83

Modeling the Couch 83

Exercise 4.1: Blocking Out the Couch Model 84

Exercise 4.2: Using NURMS to Add Softness 86

Exercise 4.3: Building Detail on the Couch Model 89

Exercise 4.4: Creating the Chaise Lounge 92

Exercise 4.5: Modeling the Couch Feet 95

Modeling the Lounge Chair 97

Exercise 4.6: Creating Image Planes 98

Exercise 4.7: Adding the Images 99

Exercise 4.8: Building the Splines for the Chair Frame 100

Exercise 4.9: Building the Chair Cushion 106

Exercise 4.10: Creating the Chair's Base 108

Bringing It All Together 113

Now You Know 115

Chapter 5 Introduction to Animation 117

Animating the Ball 118

Exercise 5.1: Setting Keyframes 118

Exercise 5.2: Copying Keyframes 120

Exercise 5.3: Using the Track View - Curve Editor 121

Reading Animation Curves 124

Refining the Animation 126

Exercise 5.4: Editing Animation Curves 127

Exercise 5.5: Squash and Stretch 129

Exercise 5.6: Setting the Timing 131

Exercise 5.7: Moving the Ball Forward 132

Exercise 5.8: Using the XForm Modifier 135

Exercise 5.9: Animating the XForm Modifier 136

Exercise 5.10: Correcting the Rotation 137

Now You Know 138

Chapter 6 Animation Principles 139

Anticipation and Momentum in Knife Throwing 139

Exercise 6.1: Blocking Out the Animation 139

Exercise 6.2: Working with Trajectories 142

Exercise 6.3: Adding Rotation 144

Exercise 6.4: Adding Anticipation 146

Exercise 6.5: Following Through 148

Exercise 6.6: Transferring Momentum to the Target 149

Now You Know 152 **Chapter 7 Character Modeling Part I 153</b&...