3D Studio Max 3 is large, robust, and comprehensive, just like the massive 3D Studio Max 3 Bible. With its 1,100 pages, including a 50-page index, it covers everything you care to know about the basic Max package.

Beginning with all the new features available in release 3 (of which there are many) the book continues on to subjects such as rendering, post-production, and ways to extend the power of Max using plug-ins and Maxscript.

Although a hefty book, its 41 chapters aren't padded with fluff or screen shots--in fact, more screen shots would be welcome. Each page is filled with step-by-step instructions, tips, and notes on how to use just about any feature in Max, from navigating and customizing the Max interface to basic and advanced modeling, using and controlling lights and cameras, and deformations.

Not only does the Max Bible explain everything (there's even a whole chapter on setting up network rendering), but each chapter also has at least one, usually two, step-by-step tutorials to demonstrate the features described. The tutorials are usually very short and to the point since they are designed to demonstrate the workings of a specific feature. For example, the tutorial on using the Motion Capture controller consists of only four steps, using the example of animating a pencil over the surface of a sheet of paper. All the objects are made from primitives, and no time is wasted on modeling and texturing a realistic pencil or a paper surface.

While the short tutorials are a great way to learn quickly, longer, more in-depth lessons would be helpful. The color gallery pages do offer some nice examples of high-level work, but there is no explanation of how they were created or how the artist approached the scene.

The accompanying CD-ROM offers numerous models, in addition to the tutorial elements used throughout the book, plus the added bonus of a set of plug-ins for Max 3. The gear-making primitive, the toy brick-making primitive, and several rendering plug-ins (TV Image is cool) are more than worth the cost of the book.

If you need a single point of reference to keep handy when working in Max, 3D Studio Max 3 Bible is a good place to start. If you buy two, you can use them to do arm curls while your version of Toy Story is rendering. --Mike Caputo


Book Description
Master valuable 3D modeling and animation skills to create spectacular visual effects with 3D Studio MAX R3 Bible. Each chapter in this authoritative guide helps you harness the power of MAX's specialized tools, effects, and utilities:Familiarize yourself with the new features in R3, understand the interface, and discover how to configure and customize MAX.Learn how to reference, select, transform, and modify models, cameras, lights, and any other object that can be viewed in a viewport.Model objects by working on primitives, spline shapes, meshes, patches, NURBS, and a variety of specialized compound objects, including Lofts and Morphs.Control light and cameras, as well as several lighting special effects and camera utilities.Use particle systems and space warps to enhance any MAX scene.Create animated scenes with keyframing, Track View, and Controllers.Extend the features of MAX with plug-ins.The jam-packed CD-ROM includes exclusive Bible plug-ins, including Brick Object, Gear Object, Rainbow Effect, and more. It also offers sample 3D models and complete tutorial files to help you take full advantage of MAX 3R.


Book Info
Designed to help you get up to speed in 3D-modeling using 3D Studio MAX. Designed to help you create sophisticated 3D models using NURBs, splines, patches, meshes, and lofts and enhance rendering with the new Render Effects and Video Post interface. Softcover. CD-ROM included. DLC: Computer animation.


From the Publisher
Master the new features in R3 -- the improved user interface, updated modeling tools, new rendering engine, and more. Create sophisticated 3D models using NURBs, splines, patches, meshes, and lofts. Give your model life-like motion with Inverse Kinematics and Character Studio. Build intricate special effects using particle systems and Space Warps. Improve your producitivity and workflow with External References and MAXscript. Enhance your renderings with the new Render Effects and Video Post interface. JAM-PACKED BONUS CD-ROM features exclusive Furious Research plug-ins, including Lego-like Brick Object, Gear Object, Rainbow Effect, Stereogram Rendering Effect, Cartoon/Sketch Rendering Effect, Ball and Stick, plus Rhinoceros evaluation version, 3D-Paralex, sample 3D models, complete tutorial files, Kinetix MAX R3 non-interactive demo, and more!


From the Back Cover
If 3D Studio MAX can do it, you can do it too … Take 3D Studio MAX to the max — and join the ranks of the animation pros who created special effects for Lost in Space, the dancing baby on Ally McBeal, and Lara Croft in Tomb Raider II. Packed with expert advice, time-saving tips, and more than 100 step-by-step tutorials, 3D Studio MAX® R3 Bible gets you up to speed quickly, whether you're a 3D-modeling beginner or a veteran animator. Complete with a full-color section showcasing animation techniques plus a CD-ROM with exclusive plug-ins, this is the ultimate 3D Studio MAX reference. Inside, you'll find complete coverage of 3D Studio MAX R3Master the new features in R3 — the improved user interface, updated modeling tools, new rendering engine, and moreCreate sophisticated 3D models using NURBs, splines, patches, meshes, and loftsGive your models life-like motion with Inverse Kinematics and Character StudioBuild intricate special effects using particle systems and Space WarpsImprove your productivity and workflow with External References and MAXscriptEnhance your renderings with the new Render Effects and Video Post interfaceJam-Packed CD-ROM!Exclusive Furious Research plug-ins, including Lego-like Brick Object, Gear Object, Rainbow Effect, Stereogram Rendering Effect, Cartoon/Sketch Rendering Effect, Ball and Stick, and morePlus Rhinoceros evaluation version, 3D-Paralex, and moreSample 3D modelsComplete tutorial filesAnd more!Kinetix MAX R3 non-interactive demoShareware programs are fully functional, free trial versions of copyrighted programs. If you like particular programs, register with their authors for a nominal fee and receive licenses, enhanced versions, and technical support. Freeware programs are free, copyrighted games, applications, and utilities. You can copy them to as many PCs as you like—free—but they have no technical support. www.hungryminds.com System Requirements: 166 MHz or faster processor running Windows 95/98/NT; 32MB RAM


About the Author
About the Author Kelly Murdock has been involved with more computer books than he cares to count — to the point that he avoids the computer book section of the bookstore, except for the graphics section, which still remains an obsession. His book credits include various Web and multimedia titles, including contributions of various editions of HTML Unleashed and Laura Lemay's Web Workshop: 3D Graphics and VRML 2. With a background in Engineering and Computer Graphics, Kelly has been all over the 3D industry. He's used high-level CAD workstations for product design and analysis; completed several large-scale visualization projects; created 3D models for feature films, worked as a freelance 3D artist, and even done some 3D programming. Kelly's been using 3D Studio on and off since version 3 for DOS. He is also the creative force behind the children's Web site, Animabets.com at www.animabets.com, which is soon to be sporting several new 3D characters.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

With it's sparse manual and hefty price tag, don't let Studio Max get you down. This is the perfect companion to the highly popular animation program, featuring information on creating advanced 3D models, molding and editing models, usage of light, shadows and effects, and more. A 100 percent useful tool.

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