Autodesk 3ds Max 2013 Bible

by Kelly L. Murdock

Overview

Updated version of the bestselling 3ds Max book on the market

Autodesk 3ds Max is top animation software used by developers, visual effects artists, and graphic designers in film, television, and the game industry. One place designers turn for crucial information on how to use 3ds Max is this in-depth book. Whether you're a beginner just itching to create something right away or an experienced user checking out the latest and greatest features, you'll find it here. See what's new, what's tried and true, and just how creative you can get using the tips, tricks, and techniques in this essential reference. Every previous edition has been a top-seller.

• Packs expert advice, timesaving tips, and more than 150 step-by-step tutorials into over 800 pages that help you master this complex software
• Gives you in-depth coverage of all new features, as well as the basics
• Jump-starts your learning on day one with a Quick Start tutorial, so you can create an exciting animation right away
• Provides you with access to all before-and-after example files from each tutorial, plus unique models and textures that you can customize on the companion CD
• Includes extra content from previous editions of the 3ds Max Bible, including bonus Quick Start tutorials from previous editions

Whether you're just starting out or getting up to speed on 3ds Max 2013, this comprehensive book will get you there.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781118352496
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	08/13/2012
Series:	Bible , #799
Sold by:	JOHN WILEY & SONS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	840
File size:	56 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Kelly L. Murdock has been writing computer books for many years. His credits include eleven editions of the bestselling 3ds Max Bible, five editions of Adobe Creative Suite Bible, Edgeloop Character Modeling For 3D Professionals Only, and many other books. He holds a degree in engineering with an emphasis on computer graphics.

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Table of Contents

About the Author v

Preface xxxv

Acknowledgments xli

Part I: Getting Started with Autodesk 3ds Max 2013 1

Quick Start: Falling from a Tightrope 3

Chapter 1: Exploring the Interface 15

Chapter 2: Controlling the Viewports 39

Chapter 3: Working with Files 69

Part II: Manipulating Objects 87

Chapter 4: Creating and Editing Primitive Objects 89

Chapter 5: Selecting Objects and Using Layers 107

Chapter 6: Transforming Objects, Pivoting, Aligning, and Snapping 133

Chapter 7: Cloning Objects and Creating Object Arrays 163

Chapter 8: Grouping, Linking, and Parenting Objects 185

Part III: Modeling 3D Assets 195

Chapter 9: Introducing Subobjects and Modifiers and Using the Modifier Stack 197

Chapter 10: Drawing and Editing 2D Splines and Shapes 221

Chapter 11: Modeling with Polygons 255

Chapter 12: Using the Graphite Modeling Tools 289

Chapter 13: Working with Compound Objects 321

Part IV: Applying Materials and Textures 335

Chapter 14: Creating and Applying Standard Materials with the Slate Material Editor 337

Chapter 15: Adding Material Details with Maps 361

Chapter 16: Creating Compound Materials and Using Material Modifiers 381

Chapter 17: Unwrapping UVs 397

Part V: Working with Cameras, Lighting, and Rendering 423

Chapter 18: Configuring and Aiming Cameras 425

Chapter 19: Using Lights and Basic Lighting Techniques 441

Chapter 20: Rendering a Scene and Enabling Quicksilver 461

Chapter 21: Using Atmospheric and Render Effects 477

Chapter 22: Rendering with mental ray and iray 501

Chapter 23: Compositing with Render Elements and the Video Post Interface 521

Part VI: Animating Objects and Scenes 549

Chapter 24: Understanding Animation and Keyframes 551

Chapter 25: Animating with Constraints and Simple Controllers 575

Chapter 26: Using Animation Layers and Animation Modifiers 597

Chapter 27: Wiring Parameters 611

Chapter 28: Editing Animation Curves in the Track View 621

Part VII: Working with Characters 653

Chapter 29: Understanding Rigging, Kinematics, and Working with Bones 655

Chapter 30: Skinning Characters 675

Chapter 31: Animating Characters with CAT 693

Part VIII: Dynamic Animation 711

Chapter 32: Creating Particles 713

Chapter 33: Using Space Warps 737

Appendix A: What’s New with Autodesk 3ds Max 2013 759

Appendix B: What’s on the CD-ROM 763

Index 767