Inside 3D Studio MAX 3 [Textbook Binding]

et al, Phillip Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 28, 1999 | Series: Inside 3D Studio MAX

Created by a team of expert developers and trainers, Inside 3D Studio MAX 3 is a focused, sophisticated guide to increasing your productivity with 3D Studio MAX 3. Containing case studies, as well as real-world problems and solutions, this book is an accurate, insightful, must-have resource whether you're a MAX novice or an experienced user. The authors have created hands-on tutorials that enable you to arrive at practical solutions to actual problems. Each chapter features highlighted information that's specific to MAX 3, with clearly written text that helps you understand the how and the why of using MAX's production tools. And they've included inspirational images and informative examples in different artistic styles, making the book easy to use and directly applicable to your needs, Practical solutions, background information, expert advice, and inspirational artwork: the combination makes this the most comprehensive reference available.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Some books brag that they are "complete," while others claim to be the "bible" of an application. The title of Inside 3D Studio Max suggests something more like an invitation to a quiet talk. What you realize after a few minutes of reading, however, is that you are in the presence of a humble god who completely knows the subject matter at hand.

The book was written by eight top Max users and authors, and was compiled by Phillip Miller, the product manager of 3D Studio Max since its inception. There are few (if any) features that aren't covered. The book doesn't go into detail on creative technique or application, but explains the features of the program by using examples of when and when not to use them.

Broken down into six main sections, Inside 3D Studio Max 3 starts with 3D graphics and program and interface basics; works its way through project preparation, modeling, texturing, shading and lighting, and animation; and concludes with rendering and post-production issues. Each of the 27 chapters concludes with a set of tips and an In Practice list, citing issues of a specific feature set (in which the features work well), ideas for application, and when not to use them. For example, the wrap-up at the end of the chapter on animating with inverse kinematics describes (IK) the difference between animating with IK and with a Bones system, and includes some tips on using Bones (binding end effectors to dummy objects).

Inside 3D Studio Max is a huge volume (over 1,300 pages long), and densely packed with just about everything a student of Max needs or wants to know. The beginner will find it daunting, but useful; the intermediate user will find clarification; and the power user will make the most of the tome as a reference, looking things up and finding things out on an as-needed basis. This is a handy, if hefty, resource. --Mike Caputo

From the Back Cover

Created by a team of expert developers and trainers, Inside 3D Studio MAX 3 is a focused, sophisticated guide to increasing your productivity with 3D Studio MAX 3. Containing case studies, as well as real-world problems and solutions, this book is an accurate, insightful, must-have resource whether you're a MAX novice or an experienced user. The authors have created hands-on tutorials that enable you to arrive at practical solutions to actual problems. Each chapter features highlighted information that's specific to MAX 3, with clearly written text that helps you understand the how and the why of using MAX's production tools. And they've included inspirational images and informative examples in different artistic styles, making the book easy to use and directly applicable to your needs, Practical solutions, background information, expert advice, and inspirational artwork: the combination makes this the most comprehensive reference available.

Product Details

• Textbook Binding: 1392 pages
• Publisher: New Riders Press (December 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 073570905X
• ISBN-13: 978-0735709058
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,602,812 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected, January 31, 2000

By 

Max Busch (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inside 3D Studio MAX 3 (Textbook Binding)

The inside series has always been my favorite 3d Studio Max book until now. Why try to improve on a winning formula when it worked so well in the past? This book should be called: "Some cool things that you can also do with 3d Studio Max." I teach 3d Studio Max in a school in New York City and I relied on the inside series to help my students have a strong foundation & to guide them as they learn to use the software. Keep in mind that these are students that do not own the program and therefore don't have the original manuals that come with it. In the past the inside series was able to give the reader a comprehensive tour of the software. Ranging from the introduction to the interface (screen configuration, selection and navigation tools) all the way through cameras, lighting, materials, rendering and animation. I was disappointed this time because even though the book bears the same name as its predecessors it does not live to their achievements. The wining formula is gone. You jump from "what is new in 3d Studio Max 3" right into "modeling with NURBS". Inside 3d Studio Max 3 assumes the reader has a working knowledge of the software. This would not be a problem to me had the book had a different name. With eight different people writing chapters for this book there seems also to be no consistency throughout the text both in the examples shown for each chapter as well as in the graphics used to describe them. My final review would be this is not a book for the beginner. For the experienced user: be aware, this might nor be for you either. Thanks amazon.com, the book arrived on time and in good condition. Max Busch.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most comprehensive reference currently available., March 3, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inside 3D Studio MAX 3 (Textbook Binding)

Created by a team of expert developers and trainers, Inside 3D Studio MAX 3 is a focused, sophisticated guide to increasing your productivity with 3D Studio MAX 3. Containing case studies, as well as real-world problems and solutions, this book is an accurate, insightful, must-have resource whether you are a MAX novice or an experienced user. The authors have created hands-on tutorials that enable you to arrive at practical solutions to actual problems. Each chapter features highlighted information that is specific to MAX 3, with clearly written text that helps you understand the hows and whys of using MAX's production tools. They have included inspirational images and informative examples in different artistic styles, making this book easy to use and directly applicable to your needs. Practical solutions, background information, expert advice, and inspirational artwork: the combination makes Inside 3D Studio MAX 3 the most comprehensive reference available. 1300 pages

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A GOOD BOOK TO LEARN 3DMAX 3, March 14, 2000

By 

DOTAN S (ISRAEL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inside 3D Studio MAX 3 (Textbook Binding)

Hi 2 all the people who like max 3d well i know that this book as some bad reviews but i bought it anyway acording to my teacher in my 3dmax class and i have to say its preety good book it teaches u almost anything u want to know in max 3 it gots some good tutorials also and the cd is preety good with LOTS of plugins maps movies and lots of max files well i liked this book hope u will like it 2 BYE