3ds Max alone is powerful enough to fulfil most users’ demands on this software but there is still a lot space for improvements and add-ons which can improve not only the functionality of 3ds Max but also speed up your workflow. We could divide these add-ons into two parts; plug-ins and scripts. Plug-ins are generally intended to bring new functionality to 3ds Max or any other software and so enhance the functionally of the software itself. Thanks to 3ds Max SDK the developers are free to do literally anything and bring new features such as; new modelling tools, new renderers, and new primitives and so on. Most of the plug-ins are not free of charge but still there is plenty of them for free and some are more than useful. The scripts on the other hand are using a programing language called MAXScript which is available directly through 3ds Max interface.
Basic tutorials
In this tutorial for beginners I will show you how you can model and texture an American Football using 3ds Max. First we will prepare the scene for modelling by placing a reference picture inside the view of 3ds Max and so keep the proportion of the ball 1:1 to a real world object. The next step will be the choosing of the right primitive with which we will model our football and also choosing the right approach for this. By this I will show you a method how you can easily transform a box into our object using few tricks and poly-modelling technique. After the ball will get its shape we will start adding details and so transform it to the ball on the reference picture.
In this tutorial we will create using basic tools in 3ds Max a USB Key made from two parts. First we will choose the right primitive from which we will start our modeling process and slowly by adding details and manipulating the edges we will build the rough shape of the USB Key. Using poly-modeling technique we will create the details, holes and the USB plug to match the Key in the real life. After the modeling will be done we will create simply textures in Photoshop and using our material library apply them to the model.
In this video tutorial for Autodesk 3ds Max i will show you how to model a tire rim. We will start by placing a reference picture inside 3ds Max environment and creating a cylinder like a primitive from which we will start to model. Step by step using poly-modeling technique we will create the details and holes on the middle part of the rim and moving to the outer shape. At last we will connect them together and apply subdivision for a smooth end result.
In this video tutorial for Autodesk 3ds Max i will show you how to model a euro coin. We will start from modeling the coin using a reference from a primitive and using poly-modeling technique we will add the main details on the coin. After we will use Adobe Photoshop to create a bump mask for the details on the coin using basic tools and brushes. Because one coin is a lonely coin we will use MassFX to simulate real-world distribution of numerous coins on a plane. Next we will set up the lights and materials for the coin and use Mental Ray for the final render together with Ambient-Occlusion map and Z-Depth.