Introducing 3ds Max 2008 breaks down the complexities of 3D modeling, texturing, animating, and visual effects. You'll jump right into the 3ds Max pipeline—from preproduction through postproduction—with clear-cut explanations, tutorials, and hands-on projects to build your skills. A special color insert includes real-world examples from talented 3ds Max beginners. From immediately creating your first animation to mastering poly modeling techniques and lighting final renders, you'll get a solid grounding in 3ds Max 2008. Build the knowledge you need for game, film, and TV production. Includes a companion CD.
Put Your Imagination To Work
Video game and feature-film artists have used 3ds Max to create characters and effects in Halo 2, King Kong, Gears of War, and more. Now you can harness this popular animation software with this sophisticated yet easy-to-follow guide.
Introducing 3ds Max 2008 breaks down the complexities of 3D modeling, texturing, animating, and visual effects. You'll jump right into the 3ds Max pipeline—from preproduction through postproduction—with clear-cut explanations, tutorials, and hands-on projects to build your skills. A special color insert includes real-world examples from talented 3ds Max beginners. From immediately creating your first animation to mastering poly modeling techniques and lighting final renders, you'll get a solid grounding in 3ds Max 2008.
-
Build the knowledge you need for game, film, and TV production
-
Master modeling from simple and complex polygon mechanical models to organic character modeling
-
Assign texture effects and texture maps using UV
-
Create walk cycles and simple character animations with Character Studio
-
Explore lighting, rendering, and raytracing concepts
-
Discover simple rigid body dynamics and Max's particle systems
Valuable companion CD
The CD includes all the image files, scenes, and support materials needed to create the tutorials in the book as well as a demo version of 3ds Max.
About the Author
Dariush Derakhshani is a Creative Director with Radium, a creative design and VFX boutique, and a writer & educator in Los Angeles, California. Dariush used Autodesk’s AutoCAD software in his architectural days and migrated to using 3D programs when his firm’s principal architects needed to visualize architectural designs in 3D on the computer. Dariush started using Alias PowerAnimator version 6 when he enrolled in USC Film School’s Animation program, and he has been using Alias/Autodesk animation software for the past 11 years. He received an M.F.A. in Film, Video, and Computer Animation from the USC Film School in 1997. He also holds a B.A. in Architecture and Theatre from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. He worked at a New Jersey architectural firm before moving to Los Angeles for film school. He has worked on feature films, music videos, and countless commercials as a 3D animator, as a CG supervisor, and sometimes as a compositor. Dariush also serves as a contributing editor and on the Advisory Board of HDRI3d, a professional computer graphics (CG) magazine from DMG Publishing.
Randi Lorene Munn is a staff instructor with The Art Institute of California at Los Angeles. She began working with computer graphics in 1992, and she was hired by her instructor to work at Sony Pictures Imageworks, where she developed her skills with 3ds Max and Shake, among many other programs. A teacher since 1999, Randi enjoys sharing her wisdom with young talent and watching them develop at The Art Institute, as well as at the UCLA Extension. Currently, she teaches a wide range of classes from Autodesk 3ds Max to compositing with Apple Shake and Adobe After Effects. Juggling her teaching activities with caring for a little baby boy makes Randi a pretty busy lady.
