3ds Max: Hard Surface Modeling

Learn tools and techniques to model hard surface objects as quickly and efficiently as possible with 3ds Max.

Introduction

• Welcome
• What you should know before watching this course
• Using the exercise files
• Setting up the 3ds Max project structure
• A quick word on gamma and unit settings
• 3ds Max customization tweaks

1. Modeling with splines

• Creating the breastplate spline
• Setting up the polygon faces
• Extrudes and Spherify
• Creating crease sets

2. Creating Complex Shapes from Components

• Creating a working grid
• Setting up our screw component
• Duplicating and welding the components
• Creating the cap with good topology
• Extruding the thread
• Cleaning up the thread
• Smoothing the thread
• Distribution

3. Building with Primitives

• Creating the base cylinders
• Extruding with splines
• Adding detail: Part 1
• Adding detail: Part 2
• Creating the clamp holes
• Applying subdivision creasing
• Screw crease fixes
• Insert subdivision
• Valve subdivision

4. Modeling with Edge Cuts

• Creating the stencil
• Positioning the stencil and prototyping
• Making the cuts
• Cleaning the topology into quads
• Extruding the shapes
• Creating crease sets

5. Box Modeling

• Creating the sphere
• Applying the chamfer
• Adding subdivision
• Creating the port guard base geometry
• Adding the screw hole
• Duplicating the mesh
• Cutting and welding
• Adding subdivision
• Creating subdivision creases

Conclusion

• What's next?