1st Edition

Kelly L. Murdock's Autodesk 3ds Max 2019 Complete Reference Guide

By Kelly L. Murdock Copyright 2018
    1250 Pages
    by SDC Publications

    Kelly L. Murdock's Autodesk 3ds Max 2019 Complete Reference Guide is a popular book among users new to 3ds Max and is used extensively in schools around the globe. The success of this book is found in its simple easy-to-understand explanations coupled with its even easier to follow tutorials. The tutorials are laser focused on a specific topic without any extra material, making it simple to grasp difficult concepts. The book also covers all aspects of the software, making it a valuable reference for users of all levels.

    The Complete Reference Guide is the ultimate book on 3ds Max, and like Autodesk’s 3D animation software, it just gets better and better with each release. Whether you're new to 3ds Max or an experienced user, you'll find everything you need in this complete resource. The book kicks off with a getting started section, so beginners can jump in and begin working with 3ds Max right away. Experienced 3ds Max users will appreciate advanced coverage of features like crowd simulation, particle systems, radiosity, MAXScript and more.

    Part 1: Getting Started with Autodesk 3ds Max 2019 

    1. Exploring the Interface 

    2. Controlling and Configuring the Viewports 

    3. Working with Files, Importing and Exporting 

    4. Setting Preferences 

    Part 2: Manipulating Objects 

    5. Creating and Editing Primitive Objects 

    6. Selecting Objects and Using Layers 

    7. Transforming Objects, Pivoting, Aligning, and Snapping 

    8. Cloning Objects and Creating Object Arrays 

    9. Grouping, Linking and Parenting Objects 

    10. Organizing Scenes with Containers, XRefs and the Schematic View  

    Part 3: Modeling 3D Assets  

    11. Accessing Subobjects and Modifiers and Using the Modifier Stack 

    12. Drawing and Editing 2D Splines and Shapes  

    13. Modeling with Polygons  

    14. Using the Graphite Modeling Tools and Painting with Objects 

    15. Working with Compound Objects 

    16. Deforming Surfaces and Using the Mesh Modifiers 

    Part 4: Applying Materials and Textures 

    17. Creating and Applying Standard Materials with the Slate Material Editor 

    18. Adding Material Details with Maps 

    19. Using Specialized Material Types 

    20. Creating Compound Materials and Using Material Modifiers  

    21. Creating Shaders in the ShaderFX Editor  

    22. Unwrapping UVs and Mapping Textures 

    23. Painting in the Viewport Canvas and Rendering Surface Maps 

    24. Creating Baked Textures and Normal Maps  

    Part 5: Working with Cameras and Lighting 

    25. Configuring and Aiming Cameras 

    26. Using Lights and Basic Lighting Techniques 

    27. Positioning the Sun and Setting the Lighting Environment  

    28. Working with Advanced Lighting, Light Tracing, and Radiosity 

    Part 6: Rendering a Scene 

    29. Rendering a Scene and Enabling Quicksilver 

    30. Managing Render States 

    31. Batch and Network Rendering  

    32. Rendering with ART, mental ray and iray 

    33. Compositing with Render Elements and the Video Post Interface 

    Part 7: Animating Objects and Scenes  

    34. Understanding Animation and Keyframes 

    35. Animating with Constraints and Simple Controllers 

    36. Exploring the Complex Controllers 

    37. Using Animation Layers and Animation Modifiers  

    38. Wiring Parameters 

    39. Editing Animation Curves in the Track View 

    Part 8: Working with Characters 

    40. Understanding Rigging, Kinematics and Working with Bones 

    41. Skinning Characters 

    42. Animating Characters with CAT 

    43. Creating Crowds and using Populate  

    Part 9: Adding Special Effects 

    44. Creating Particles and Particle Flow 

    45. Using Space Warps 

    46. Using Atmospheric and Render Effects 

    47. Creating Volume Light Effects 

    48. Adding Lens Effects  

    Part 10: Using Dynamic Animation Systems 

    49. Simulating Physics-Based Motion with MassFX 

    50. Working with Hair and Cloth  

    Part 11: Extending 3ds Max 

    51. Customizing the Interface 

    52. Creating Procedural Content with Max Creation Graphs 

    53. Automating with MAXScript 

    54. Expanding Max with Third-Party Plug-Ins

    Biography

    Kelly Murdock has been authoring computer books for many years now and still gets immense enjoyment from the completed work. His book credits include various 3D, graphics, multimedia, and web titles, including 14 editions of the 3ds Max Bible