Video game and feature-film artists have used 3ds Max to create Halo 2, King Kong, Myst V, and more. Now you can harness this popular animation software with the clear, step-by-step instructions in this easy-to-follow guide. This book breaks down the complexities of 3D modeling, texturing, animating, and visual effects. Clear-cut explanations, tutorials, and hands-on projects help build your skills and a special color insert includes real-world examples from talented 3ds Max beginners. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

* Navigating within the interface * Creating and editing 2D and 3D objects * Controlling animation with function curves * Integrating walls, doors and windows * Simulating water surfaces and fluttering flags * Adjusting color and brightness of lighting * Rendering scenes with Quick Render Valuable tools on CD-ROM! * 3ds Max 8 evaluation version * Project files from the book System Requirements: Please see the "About the CD-ROM" Appendix for details and complete system requirements. * "Master It" sidebars answer questions and present shortcuts * High-resolution screen shots demonstrate each task * Succinct explanations walk you through step by step * Two-page lessons break big topics into bite-sized modules

Within this comprehensive, visual reference, succinctly captioned, step-by-step screen shots show you how to accomplish more than 300 Office tasks. You’ll learn how to format text and apply styles in Word, work with Excel formulas and functions, add animation to PowerPoint slides, create an Access database, manage contacts with Outlook, collaborate with OneNote and Live Meeting, and create publications with Publisher. A bonus CD-ROM includes demo software, add-ins, sample files, and additional chapters.

Harness the power of 3ds max 5! Harnessing 3ds max 5 is the perfect tool for learning the world’s most popular 3D graphics program. The authors lead you through the complex world of 3ds max step by step, so you’ll build experience and confidence as you progress through the book. Clear and concise explanations, ample illustrations, and easy-to-follow tutorials make Harnessing 3ds max 5 the ideal choice for users of computer graphics, both inside and outside the classroom.This book gives a practical introduction to 3ds max, and provides many real-world examples of its most powerful features. When you finish this book, you will be able to:• understand concepts of computer graphics and 3D space• navigate effortlessly through the 3ds max interface• use powerful modeling techniques• design natural-looking materials• use lighting to affect the look of your scene• control virtual cameras• animate with forward and inverse kinematics• create special effects with particles, atmospheres, and Render Effects3ds max 5 has many new features to create high-end 3D graphics and animation. This book covers many of these new tools, including:• incredible modeling tools within the Editable Poly object• Set Key interface for greater animation control• better animation editing with the Dope Sheet and Curve Editor• improved character setup with Skin and Bones• photo-realistic Advanced Lighting• Ink ‘n Paint material for quality renderings of cartoons and line drawings

DVD-ROM includes training modules in AVI format and instructor demonstrations.

This book takes you through the challenge of learning one of the most complex computer programs ever created, by way of easy-to-follow tutorials and instruction. It specifically focuses on those parts of the program you need to know to produce stunning architectural visualizations.The intent is not to show you every possible way to accomplish a task, but rather some of the fastest and most efficient ways. At the end of the book, there is a guide to marketing your services, as well as 20 top tips that took the author almost 10 years to learn in a production environment sometimes the hard way.

The Handbook of Model-making for Set Designers describes the entire process of making scale models for stage sets, from the most basic cutting and assembling methods to more advanced skills, including painting, texturing and finishing techniques, and useful hints on presenting the completed model. Many drawings and colour photographs of the writer's own work illustrate the text. Some state-of-the-art computerized techniques are described here for the first time in a book of this kind, including many ways in which digital techniques can be used in combination with the more traditional methods to enhance the model-maker's work. This book will be of use not only to theatre designers, but to anyone with an interest in scale models of any kind. The book covers; tools and materials; painting and texturing; architectural models; people, trees and organic elements; moving parts; furniture and dressings. Superbly illustrated with 200 colour photographs and drawings.