Sams Teach Yourself 3ds Max in 24 Hours - 9780672336997

This is a full-color, practical, hands-on guide to mastering Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2014 computer graphics and animation for games, film, TV, and architectural design. One step at a time, this book teaches all the essential CG skills and techniques you'll need, from using simple primitives and transforms to creating complex hair, fur, and atmospheric effects.

Top CG artist, instructor, and author Stewart Jones starts with the absolute basics, making 3ds Max 2014 accessible even to people who've created computer graphics before. In just 24 sessions of one hour or less, he shows how to use get productive with every essential 3ds Max tool and feature – focusing on just what you need to know, and nothing extraneous. Coverage includes:

• Getting comfortable with the 3ds Max interface
• Navigating viewports and exploring scenes
• Manipulating objects in 3D space, and working with sub-objects
• Modeling objects using polygons
• Adding color and textures to 3D objects
• Adding lighting and working with cameras
• Rendering in 3ds Max, and showcasing your creations
• Rigging characters and props, skinning, and animating characters
• Applying dynamics to create realistic collisions
• Working with particle systems and creating sophisticated effects
• Establishing efficient workflow and project management for real scenes and productions
• Automating 3ds Max with scripting, and more

Friendly, accessible, and engaging, this book offers a sleek pathway to 3ds Max 2014 mastery, without ever becoming overwhelming or intimidating. Packed with expert tips, it also contains a complete DVD with all sample project files and exclusive video tutorials that show you how it's done. Every lesson builds on everything that's come before, helping you start creating your own work faster than you ever thought possible.