Bring 3D film effects to the big screen. Generate realistic characters for a top-selling game. Create rich and complex design visualization. Autodesk 3ds Max 9 lets you maximize your productivity and tackle challenging animation projects. And this book, developed by Autodesk insiders, lets you master the essential tools and techniques.

Learn how to use 3ds Max 9 confidently in a production environment. Each chapter of this book has a series of theory lessons and one lab. The theory lessons introduce you to the functional areas of 3ds Max and explain these features with short simple examples. The lab demonstrates a practical application of the theory. Combined, each chapter delivers a sound understanding of the functions, features and principles behind 3ds Max 9, and shows you how to apply this knowledge to real-world situations.

• A hands-on introduction to 3ds Max 9 from the Autodesk development team
• Tutorials and exercises designed for flexibility and ease of use
• Companion CD with tutorial media including support models, materials, textures, and animations

• Getting Started
• User Interface Overview Lab Files and Objects
• Transforms
• Applying Modifiers; Modeling
• Low Poly Modeling
• Shapes
• Using Compound
• Objects
• Modeling Lab: Animation
• Animation Basics
• Hierarchies
• Character Animation
• Biped
• Animation Lab; Materials & Mapping
• Introduction to Materials
• Using Maps
• Mapping Coordinates
• Materials and Mapping; Rendering
• Cameras
• Basic Lighting
• Global Illumination
• Rendering the Scene
• Scene Assembly Lab
• Beyond the Basics