Learning 3ds Max 2020

Learn to leverage the power of 3ds Max for modeling, rendering, and animation. This introductory training course covers foundational 3ds Max tools, concepts, and techniques.

Introduction

• Getting started with 3ds Max 2020
• Using the exercise files

1. First Steps

• Choosing a workspace
• Choosing interface and tool defaults
• Setting preferences
• Displaying user interface elements
• Creating and setting project folders
• Creating and transforming objects
• Viewport navigation shortcuts

2. Modeling

• Choosing display units and grid options
• Parametric modeling in the modifier stack
• Cloning an object as an instance
• Creating shapes and splines
• Extruding splines with the Sweep modifier
• Sub-object transforms and symmetry
• Activating the Modeling Ribbon tools
• Extruding polygons with the Editable Poly Ribbon
• Adding detail with Swift Loop and constraints
• Rounding corners with Chamfer

3. Shading and Materials

• Smoothing polygon edges
• Choosing a renderer
• Rendering in the viewport
• Lighting a scene with an environment map
• Exploring the Slate Material Editor
• Editing a physical material
• Managing scene materials
• Mapping material shading parameters
• Applying an OSL map and UVW coordinates

4. Lighting

• Creating photometric lights
• Setting camera exposure
• Adjusting light parameters
• Natural daylight with Sun Positioner

5. Layout and Animation

• Scene organization with layers and groups
• Linking objects in a transform hierarchy
• Choosing Time Configuration options
• Creating keyframes with Auto Key
• Editing keyframes in the Track Bar
• Creating keyframes with Set Key
• Editing function curves in the Curve Editor

6. Rendering

• Creating a physical camera
• Common parameters in Render Setup
• Composing a shot with safe frames
• Rendering an image sequence

Conclusion

• Next steps