Introducing 3ds Max 9: 3D for Beginners [Paperback]

Dariush Derakhshani (Author), Randi L. Derakhshani (Author), Jon McFarland (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470097612 | ISBN-13: 978-0470097618 | Publication Date: April 9, 2007 | Edition: 1

Video game and feature-film artists have used 3ds Max to create Halo 2, King Kong, Myst V, and more. Now you can harness this popular animation software with the clear, step-by-step instructions in this easy-to-follow guide. This book breaks down the complexities of 3D modeling, texturing, animating, and visual effects. Clear-cut explanations, tutorials, and hands-on projects help build your skills and a special color insert includes real-world examples from talented 3ds Max beginners.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Let Your Imagination Run Wild

Video game and feature-film artists have used 3ds Max to create Halo 2, King Kong, Myst V, and more. Now you can harness this popular animation software with the clear, step-by-step instruction in this easy-to-follow guide.

Introducing 3ds Max 9: 3D for Beginners breaks down the complexities of 3D modeling, texturing, animating, and visual effects. You'll jump right into the pipeline—from preproduction to production to 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 tackling poly modeling, rendering, and particles, you'll get a solid grounding in 3ds Max 9.

• 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 textures effects and UV texture mapping

• Create walk cycles and simple character animations with Character Studio

• Explore lighting, rendering, and raytracing concepts

• Render through mental ray and raytracing

• 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.

Create a low-poly model tank

Learn to apply different surfaces to objects

Put cameras to workAbout the Authors

About the Author

Dariush Derakhshani is an award-winning 3D animator, author, and educator. He has worked on movies such as The Fantastic Four and Pan's Labyrinth, the South Park TV series, and numerous commercials and music videos. He teaches 3D animation and is the author of Introducing Maya 7: 3D for Beginners (Sybex).

Randi L. Munn teaches 3D animation at The Art Institute of California and has worked as a digital artist and technical director for games and movie projects with Gizmo Games, RJB Enterprises, and Sony.

Product Details

• Paperback: 535 pages
• Publisher: Sybex; 1 edition (April 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470097612
• ISBN-13: 978-0470097618
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #582,383 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fantastic Starter to those who are new To CG World, March 21, 2008

By 

Phoenix Wright - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introducing 3ds Max 9: 3D for Beginners (Paperback)

At first I thought to myself that this book was going to be your typical "BAD" computer book where you have to get up, look for people who know how to use 3Ds Max or you would either look for some written or video tutorials online to get you up and started running this software. So I honestly didn't bother buying the book at first until one day by coincidence my colleague happens to have the exact same book that I was looking at Amazon 5 days ago. He told me that the book is an easy read especially with the lingo that the author uses in this book. I didn't want to believe it however; as soon as I borrowed the book just 1 day I have literally completed 4 chapters of this AMAZING book! There was no question about it and I had to get hold of a copy of my own.

One of the best things that the user will be introduced in this book is that the author will get the user feet wet into the realm of CG in Chapter 2 where the user will create a simple animation and from there the author then explain how the CG world works today and how a user should be well equipped.

Honestly this is by far one of the best introductions to CG especially how to use a complex software as 3Ds Max 9. All I can say is that this book is only for the Novice and not for the semi or advanced users. However it still acts as a good reference book for the semi / advanced users.

Oh and One last thing I should mention. This may not seem important to you but to me it is. I only believe that a good computer book has to have color throughout the whole book because it makes the book fun to read with colors. But now I am going to have to change my belief on that because this book is completely in black and white and STILL the book surprises me to how EASY it is to read and to follow along through the CD exercise that accompanies this book.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, June 7, 2007

By 

D. Fields (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introducing 3ds Max 9: 3D for Beginners (Paperback)

Its written in easy to follow directions, instructions and example pictures. I really enjoyed the student work section in the middle of the book.

This book has greatly expanded my 3D modeling 'tool belt' and boosted my confidence for tackling difficult projects.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable (and entertaining) Book !, September 8, 2009

By 

Michael Crampton (NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Introducing 3ds Max 9: 3D for Beginners (Paperback)

When I wanted to delve into the world of 3ds Max, I checked the different reviews of books on offer and decided on this one . What a great choice ! This book is perfect for the complete novice ! It is VERY easy to understand, and quite entertaining along the way ! The step by step explanations and photos make it easy to navigate the daunting 3ds Max program . It takes you through making a basic moving mobile, all the way up to a cool looking Tank ! The dvd that comes with it includes all the pre made models, so you can see how things work in a true 3d world, and has a demo version of 3ds Max which is very handy in helping you decide if this is right for you, before you shell out big bucks for the full copy ! All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in 3d modelling. Oh, and when your mobile begins to turn in 3d, the feeling of accomplishment is worth the price of the book alone !!!!