3ds max 5 for Dummies
by Shamms Mortier, PhD
3ds max 5 For Dummies
Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
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Copyright 2003 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2002112136
ISBN: 0-7645-1676-0
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About the Author
Shamms Mortier, PhD, has been involved in computer graphics and animation since its inception in the 1980s. Beginning as a traditional pen and ink illustrator and animator, he entered the realm of 3D modeling and animation beginning with 3ds max version 1. He has maintained a working relationship with 3ds max through its various incarnations, developing graphics and animation for government, academic, and professional broadcast clients through his studio in Bristol, Vermont, Eyeful Tower Communications and Earful Tower Productions (a soundtrack and audio FX production facility). He has authored more than 25 books on computer graphics and animation topics for the world market and teaches various classes on media and creative pursuits at colleges in his area.
Dedication
For Diane, Mic, and Ania
Authors Acknowledgments
Thanks go out to a number of individuals whose efforts and support helped in the production of this book to Bob Woerner and Christine Berman at Wiley Publishing, Kevin G. Clark and David Marks at AutoDesk, and to David Fugate and Maureen Mahoney at Waterside Productions.
Publishers Acknowledgments
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Introduction
Welcome to the world of virtual 3D design and animation, as crafted and presented in 3ds max no less than the worlds largest-selling 3D application. 3ds max (insert the trumpet fanfare here) is used all over the world by thousands of designers to develop 3D interactive games and realistic 3D effects for movies and television, and to create astounding 3D content for display on the Web. Purchasing and working through this book will give you an enhanced introduction to 3D design and animation in general and some hands-on experience with 3ds max itself to bring your 3D ideas to life.
About This Book
For folks unfamiliar with the way 3D software works, using 3ds max can be a daunting task. Just hefting the weighty documentation that comes with the software can be frightening. The documentation is thorough and detailed enough, but its not quite as welcoming as your grandmother waiting at the door with fresh baked cookies to soothe your fears. When you first open the software on the screen, you may get another shock. The complexity looks overwhelming to many beginners, so much so that it may cause you to stare at the 3ds max interface in a wide-eyed slack-jawed fashion. This book, on the other hand, is designed so that your introduction to 3ds max will be as warm and fuzzy as possible, while at the same time presenting all the information you need to know in order to dive into the realm of your own 3D visions.
How to Use This Book
How you use this book depends somewhat on who you are and the level of your previous encounters with the general concepts of 3D design, and any experience you may have had with other 3D software. The book is not designed like a novel, with the requirement that you read it from start to finish, but rather as a reference and an encyclopedia of interactive information to help you understand various facets of how 3ds max functions.
If youre a novice to 3D design and know very little about 3D concepts and nothing about 3D software, dont be embarrassed. Everyone has to start somewhere.