3ds max 4 Fundamentals [Paperback]

Ted Boardman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Fundamentals (New Riders) | Publication Date: April 18, 2001

3ds max 4 Fundamentals is a tutorial- reference in which the basic concepts of 3D representation and 3ds max are explored, with special attention given to new and upgraded features of the new release. The book focuses on key features so that the reader can use this basic knowledge to progress to a higher level of understanding and efficiency both in skill and in book choice.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The target audience for 3ds max 4 Fundamentals is users new to computer graphics and animation for whom 3ds max 4 is the tool of choice. Artists experienced with Max and wanting the scoop on the new features might be disappointed, but someone who doesn't know a storyboard from an x-axis will probably get quite a bit from this book.

Computer graphics is an involved topic, and animation is a specialty by itself. Trying to learn the fundamentals of either of these fields while learning to use a program like 3ds Max 4 is difficult at best, since each is worthy of its own devoted study. This book, however, opens with two chapters (making up part I) covering a crash course in graphics from an animation perspective, including storyboarding, composing a shot, the importance of color and lighting, and movement. Chapter 2 nails down the basics of how 3ds max 4 works from a conceptual standpoint, a sort of bird's eye view of the application. This covers Max terminology and the basic feature categories without getting into the specifics of exactly how to do things--that starts in the next part.

Part II, the bulk of the book, dives into the actual use of Max. Workflow, getting around the interface, modeling, texturing, lighting, the basics of animation, and rendering are discussed over the course of 300-plus pages. Many of the examples follow the making of a single scene throughout the book: The interior of a diner. This is a fairly involved scene, and learning how to create it from scratch all the way through final rendering provides a nice sense of continuity.

Part III, "New and Updated Max Features," focuses on what's new in version 4. Since this book is oriented toward new users, this section is more of an overview than a how-to on the new features.

Overall, the writing is clear and concise, and each chapter is well illustrated. One drawback is the complete lack of color illustrations, although the CD-ROM includes color versions of all the images used in the book, along with all the project files and some free and demo version third-party plug-ins.

The 3ds max 4 application is a major upgrade from version 3.1, and although much of the interface hasn't changed, there are enough new features and enhancements to give pause to experienced users and probably stop new users in their tracks. The new features or improved functionality make Max an even deeper and richer program than it was, but the learning curve has grown longer and steeper. This book offers a slightly different take on the tools and features than is provided in the manuals; it is a concise and approachable handbook for mastering this powerful animation system. --Mike Caputo

Review

The target audience for 3ds max 4 Fundamentals is users new to computer graphics and animation for whom 3ds max 4 is the tool of choice. Artists experienced with Max and wanting the scoop on the new features might be disappointed, but someone who doesn't know a storyboard from an x-axis will probably get quite a bit from this book. Computer graphics is an involved topic, and animation is a specialty by itself. Trying to learn the fundamentals of either of these fields while learning to use a program like 3ds Max 4 is difficult at best, since each is worthy of its own devoted study. This book, however, opens with two chapters (making up part I) covering a crash course in graphics from an animation perspective, including storyboarding, composing a shot, the importance of color and lighting, and movement. Chapter 2 nails down the basics of how 3ds max 4 works from a conceptual standpoint, a sort of bird's eye view of the application. This covers Max terminology and the basic feature categories without getting into the specifics of exactly how to do things--that starts in the next part. Part II, the bulk of the book, dives into the actual use of Max. Workflow, getting around the interface, modeling, texturing, lighting, the basics of animation, and rendering are discussed over the course of 300-plus pages. Many of the examples follow the making of a single scene throughout the book: The interior of a diner. This is a fairly involved scene, and learning how to create it from scratch all the way through final rendering provides a nice sense of continuity. Part III, "New and Updated Max Features," focuses on what's new in version 4. Since this book is oriented toward new users, this section is more of an overview than a how-to on the new features. Overall, the writing is clear and concise, and each chapter is well illustrated. One drawback is the complete lack of color illustrations, although the CD-ROM includes color versions of all the images used in the book, along with all the project files and some free and demo version third-party plug-ins. The 3ds max 4 application is a major upgrade from version 3.1, and although much of the interface hasn't changed, there are enough new features and enhancements to give pause to experienced users and probably stop new users in their tracks. The new features or improved functionality make Max an even deeper and richer program than it was, but the learning curve has grown longer and steeper. This book offers a slightly different take on the tools and features than is provided in the manuals; it is a concise and approachable handbook for mastering this powerful animation system. --Mike Caputo --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. --Sites

Book Info Guidebook for computer graphic artists using 3ds max 4 software. Presents essential lessons in the context of the latest version of the software, providing readers ways to save time while gaining knowledge and improving their work habits. The CD-ROM contains the project files for the text, as well as all of the text's figures. Softcover. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. --Sites

3ds max 4 Fundamentals is a tutorial- reference in which the basic concepts of 3D representation and 3ds max are explored, with special attention given to new and upgraded features of the new release. The book focuses on key features so that the reader can use this basic knowledge to progress to a higher level of understanding and efficiency both in skill and in book choice. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. --Sites

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: New Riders Press (April 18, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 073571066X
• ISBN-13: 978-0735710665
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,472,060 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, 10 stars..., July 7, 2001

By 

Mark A. Drake - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 3ds max 4 Fundamentals (Paperback)

Let me start out saying I'm 16, and I just got a copy of 3ds max a few days ago. I picked up this book because it looked more "newbie" friendly... I didn't know anything about making 3d graphics before but now I'm already making animations and modeling stuff, usually making dragonball z characters and stuff.

This book shows you all about customizing the interface, lighting and rendering, modeling, and the best thing is the cd... The cd is great and has the photos in the book in color... And it has all the models you need to follow with the book.

If your new to 3ds max like me, you have found your new companion....

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Four stars, but before you buy..., January 7, 2002

By 

J. DEATS (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 3ds max 4 Fundamentals (Paperback)

The author is very good, you can tell he knows 3ds max and loves to share what he knows. I really like the layout of the book and the concept of making the entire book a tutorial on how to build the cover image, I didn't give it five stars, because I wish it had more illustrations (this is not likely the authors fault, but more so the publisher) a book like this MUST have color illustrations and lots of them.

Before you buy this (or any other intro book on 3ds max) please go to your help menu and select "Tutorials" you will be deligted by what you find. The nice folks at descret and packaged in an excellent set of tutorials that will actually bring you from biginner to intermediate level faster than this book and the tutorials cover character modeling and animation! So be careful or you may spend money and then be beating yourself up later when you find you already had all the information you needed.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for beginners, August 18, 2002

By 

M Dunham "cram242" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 3ds max 4 Fundamentals (Paperback)

This book is exactly what it states on the cover, it is a tutorial of the fundamental elements of the very powerful 3ds Max 4 software.

Just moving from the programmer's side of the computer to the artist's side, I needed something that would show me how to create 3-dimensional objects using the basic 2d polygons, an essential to becoming a skilled user of any 3d software.

The author does a great job of walking the user through object creation from the basic rectangle or triangle to the finished product, complete with lights, cameras, animation, and texturing.

This book was exactly what I needed to get a start on 3-dimensional computer art. If you are also somewhat of a beginner to 3d design, I would strongly recommend this book. If you are intermediate to advanced, I may caution you that it probably would be restating a lot of what you already know, so try looking elsewhere.