Inside 3ds max 4 [Paperback]

Kim Lee (Author)

Book Description

Series: Inside (New Riders) | Publication Date: August 6, 2001

Inside 3ds max 4 focuses on the information needs of intermediate to advanced professional users of the technology. It is NOT a book for beginners. As such, it does not cover basic functionalities. Rather, it explores changes in the program as well as more advanced functionalities and how they can assist the professional user in enhancing efficiency or output.

Inside 3ds max 4 is organized into units that mirror and actually step through the workflow of a 3D project. Moreover, where differences exist in the application of techniques between the broadcast/film and game/interactive applications, the authors present careful analysis to assist readers in making the right choices for their technical work.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

3ds max 4 has much to offer, and learning to use all of its features can be a daunting task. Inside 3ds max 4 describes in detail all of the new features as well as existing ones, making this book a powerful ally for the new and old Max user.

Out of nearly 900 pages, the first 150 are dedicated to describing what's new in the interface, modeling, materials, animation, and rendering. These sections are designed to bring the experienced 3D Studio Max 3.x user up to speed on what's new in version 4.

The remaining seven parts are project-oriented tutorials designed to teach new and old users how to make the most of 3ds max 4. Beginning with an introduction to project workflow and progressing through modeling, rigging, materials and texture mapping, animation, lighting, and rendering, the book covers practically every feature of 3ds max 4.

The author writes in a clear, confident style, and each chapter is well illustrated with screenshots and sidebars. One change the book could use is a spiral binding so that it could lie flat on a desk. This is arguably one of the best volumes available for learning and using Max 4, so it is likely never to be relegated to the bookshelf. --Mike Caputo

From the Publisher

The writing team for Inside 3ds max 4 is an awesome collection of the VOICES THAT MATTER in the 3ds max world. Editor Kim Lee assembled a team of experienced production professionals with amazing portfolios and assigned them to look at 3ds max 4 in a way that no one has ever done before -- from a production standpoint. You'll see how 3ds max 4 works in a production environment by sitting with the team as they complete two separate projects: one for film, the other for the game environment. Read them both... and learn!

From the gathered braintrust, you'll get the inside scoop on how 3ds max works in a production workflow, how production professionals work, why they choose certain tools and methods -- and why they avoid others. At the same time, you'll find the valuable reference tutorial information you've come to expect from the New Riders Inside Series. We've just taken it one step further! If you use 3ds max 4, you'll definitely want this book in your toolbox!

In order to continue to develop our 3ds max line of books, it's important to me to hear what you think about this book. Please share your comments by emailing me at [e-mail].

Linda Bump, Senior Acquisitions Editor

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 881 pages
• Publisher: New Riders Press (August 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735710945
• ISBN-13: 978-0735710948
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,907,538 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not as bad as everyone says, October 24, 2002

By 

John P. Westerfield (Lynnwood, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

I looked at all of the reviews and they all made it seem like this book is the worst thing ever. I'll admit, if you've never used this program before, you're going to be scratching your head. But if you're at that "I'm three-quarters of the way there and just need that extra boost" stage, I could not imagine a better book. And I've read quite a few. I read the Max 4 Bible and found that it tried to cover so much that it didn't REALLY cover anything. This book goes pretty in depth into the advanced essentials. It'll tell you the pros and cons of patch modelling, poly modelling, and mesh modelling, but it's going to assume that you know how to activate point-edit mode or hold down the shift key to extrude. Don't bash the book if you didn't know these these before you bought it, just do better pre-purchase research next time. Anyway, as I said before, incredible book and well worth the money.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not for the beginner, November 10, 2001

By A Customer

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

Based upon the reviews I read here at Amazon I purchased this book. (...)This is NOT a step-by-step book, nor is it a tutorial. What it appears to be is a very well written detailed description of the nitty-gritty of 3DS Max. The skill level on the back of the book acuratly rates it as "Intermediate - Professional". Being a beginner, I was completely lost.

I would love to see this skill level rating system in the actual book description by the publisher themselves. Depending on reviews here at Amazon was clearly a mistake in this case (at least for me).

To those with skill already on 3DS Max, this book at least appears to be a good choice. It's unfair for me to judge the value of this book from a professional standpoint, so I'm keeping my rating a 4 (as to not lower the score too much on what appears to be a fine professional book).

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Is it that bad?, January 13, 2002

By 

S. Luk (Los Angeles, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

Previously review made this book look like really bad. Is it that bad? Well, first of all, this book is for intermediate users, not for beginners. This book does not teach you all the advanced features of Max 4. Rather, it strengthens Max 4 users who are passed the basic Max stage, and is in the intermediate area needing more advice toward becoming an advanced user. But if you want more advanced stuff, you have to look elsewhere.

I did learn more after doing various tutorials from this book, no doubt about it. However, I do wish that it would have more step-by-step pictures that shows you what is happening, because a few places in the book is kind of confusing at times, though mostly it's organized.

I do like the IK setup procedure in the book, as this is the main reason why I bought this book.

Before you buy this book, if you're a beginner or looking for an overview, I highly recommend you buy the 3ds max 4 workship by Duane Loose first, it has to be the best 3D max book or just 3D book in general, because it teaches you so much. You can not go wrong with Duane Loose's book. It is excellent. After you buy that book, then maybe you get Inside 3ds max 4.

Back to this book. I also like the little sidebar boxes that teaches you the 'temper' of Max. I read Inside 3D max by Newriders prior to version 4, and I must say this version 4 book is way better than the old ones (with exception of the Advanced Material and Modeling version 3).

I can understand some of the bad reviews previously. But it is not that bad, if you do the tutorials, you definitely will improve, unless you're already very good. So it's not useless at all. It has helped me, for example, to figure out how to setup IK as well as overview of major features of Max.

So I do recommend it for intermediate users who still need to know more about 3D Max 4.