Hot Autodesk 3ds Max How-Tos

How To: Create and destroy a crowd of models in 3DS MAX

Destroying crowds of little people has been a favorite passtime of dictators since time immemorial, but also a colossal waste of manpower. Now you can get some of the same thrill without all the needless death using 3D Studio MAX. This video will show you how to model, animate, and duplicate with particle flow a series of small robots. Then it will show you how to use a collision object (here a meteor) to destroy them all in fiery glory.

How To: Create an spaceship with afterburner effect in 3DS MAX

Making a spaceship use its afterburner and escape from the Earth's gravitational pull is tough. Modeling and animating a 3D simulation of the same thing is also hard, although quite as much so. This video series will teach you how to create a 3D model of a flying rocket with an afterburner effect using 3D Studio MAX. At the end you will have a cool little video clip and vastly improved modeling skills.

How To: 3D model a mushroom cloud in 3D Studio MAX

The mushroom cloud is one of the iconic images of the 20th century, calling to mind destruction, progress, and arguably the single most important event of the century. This video will show you how to create a 3D model of one using 3D Studio MAX 4 or higher. This can then be used in all kinds of video games and movies that you might be making.

How To: Model a realistic modern bathroom in Autodesk 3ds Max

In this free video software tutorial from CG Cookie, you'll learn how to model a photorealistic modern bathroom environment within Autodesk 3ds Max. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, and to get started modeling your own 3d background, take a look!

How To: Create an aged chrome texture in Autodesk 3ds Max 2010

See how to age a chrome metal shader within 3ds Max 2010. See how to use 3ds Max 2010's built-in grouping features to work on multiple meshes the same way you might work on a single object. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, and to get started taking advantage of the 3ds Max Assembly and Group tools yourself,...

How To: Use the Parameter Collector tool in Autodesk 3ds Max

In this clip, you'll learn how to use 3ds Max's Parameter Collector tool. See how to use 3ds Max 2010's built-in grouping features to work on multiple meshes the same way you might work on a single object. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, and to get started taking advantage of the Paramater Collector tool y...

How To: Generate foam with the Dreamscape 3ds Max 2010 plug-in

See how to use Dreamscape to generate foam, how to export it as a bitmap sequence and how to control every single parameter to change its look. See how to use 3ds Max 2010's built-in grouping features to work on multiple meshes the same way you might work on a single object. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information,...

How To: Work with multi-sub materials in Autodesk 3ds Max 2010

See how to work with multi-sub materials in Autodesk 3ds Max 2010. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, and to get started taking advantage of the 3ds Max Assembly and Group tools yourself, take a look! Work with multi-sub materials in Autodesk 3ds Max 2010.

How To: Map multi-sub objects in 3D Studio Max

This video tutorial is in the Software category which will show you how to map multi-sub objects in 3D Studio Max. What this means is you can apply two textures to a single 3D object. First you select the 3D object, say a box and go to editor > standard > multi sub-object > OK. Now change the number of materials from 10 to 2 and follow through the next steps to select the two textures. Then go to modify panel > edit mash. Select polygons, and apply the texture to the front of the box, move ar...

How To: Put your face into someone else's photo with Photoshop

For years, people who wanted to make fake photos of themselves with celebrities or crushes had to make due with cutting out a picture of their own face and gluing it onto a photo in place of the person they wished to replace. Now there is a more elegant, cleaner way to do it. This video will show you how to replace one head with another in photos using Photoshop. Now you too can shake hands with George W. Bush! At least in a fake photo. And we're not sure why you'd want to anyway.

How To: Animate a biped model in 3ds MAX

Once you've made a 3D model of a character, you are going to have to make them do something. This video is about that. It will teach you how to animate basic motions on a bipedal 3D model in 3D Studio MAX, allowing it to do anything from armwrestle to hug. The video is pretty basic, so you're going to have to extrapolate these techniques to create those more advanced actions.

How To: Use procedural modeling to create a rock in 3DS MAX 9

The noble rock may not seem like the most fun thing to create a 3D model of. They are a useful example though because their basic shape and lack of movement make them manageable for beginners to work with while their many facets and textures present fun areas to work with. This video will teach you how to use procedural modeling and texturing to Create a 3D model of a rock using 3D Studio MAX 9. The end result looks positively stony, and the lessons you learn here will help you with all your ...

How To: Make a realistic 3D model of a head in 3ds Max

If you want to create really good 3D models on your computer, you need to be able to use more than just 3DS MAX or whatever other modeling program you have. It takes a whole family of specialized programs to handle the diverse tasks involved in creating really good models. This video will teach you how to create a male human head model using a combination of Faceworx, Mudbox, 3DS MAX with plugins, and Sony Vegas. By using all of these different programs, you can play to their individual stren...

How To: Animate a basic walk cycle for a biped in 3ds Max

Making a 3D model bipedal character walk is one of the most basic and necessary things that you can do to them. If you are going to use them in a movie or game, chances are they will have to move themselves from one place to another right? This video will teach you how to create a basic walk cycle for one of your bipeds in 3D Studio MAX, allowing you to animate them walking to all kinds of places quickly and easily.

How To: Render a video to AVI format using 3ds Max

If you want to demonstrate your 3D model on a turntable or create some other sort of short animation with your models without having to use more specialized software, you can render an AVI video inside 3D Studio MAX. This video will show you how to do this quickly and easily, assuming that you already know how to animate your character. Now, let the world see your beautiful 3D work!

How To: Model a mace for beginners in 3ds Max

3D modeling is a difficult but lucrative trade that can take many years to master. Let this video be your first step along that road. It's aim is to teach the basics of 3D Studio MAX to beginners by demonstrating the modeling of a mace (or morning star). This tutorial is designed for those with no experience in 3D modeling, so if you're just getting started, start here! Model a mace for beginners in 3ds Max - Part 1 of 2.

How To: Create a head model in 3ds Max

Creating 3D models of the human head that will show emotion, eat, and do all the other things that heads do properly is hard. Fortunately, this video is here to help you get started. It demonstrates the basics of 3D head modeling using 3D Studio MAX. Follow these instructions and you'll be well on your way to creating all sorts of cool original character heads.

How To: Model a basic character in 3D Studio MAX

So you finally shelled out for 3D Studio MAX. Congratulations. Now you need to make something with it! This video for beginners will walk you through the basics of modeling a character in 3D Studio MAX. It covers setting up a reference image (the one from the video is here), creating a rough body, connecting body parts, head modeling, and paint deformation. After you watch these three videos you should have all the tools you need to model a basic character in 3D Studio MAX. Now then, on to th...

How To: Model a 3D human head using 3D Studio MAX

An image of a human head can consist of a single penstroke or a thousand polygons. The head model that you will be learning to create in this three-video series leans very much towards the latter. The videos will teach you how to create a 3D model of the human head using 3D Studio MAX from a photo. It assumes some knowledge of 3DS MAX, but not too much, so don't be scared! Watch this baby and start modeling!

How To: Use polygon modeling in 3D Studio MAX

Almost every 3D image depicted on a digital screen is made from thousands of tiny polygons. Modeling with them is the most fundamental part of 3D modeling. This video will introduce you to the basics of 3D polygon modeling, helping you to create a 3D shape that is smooth and cool-looking, if not terribly similar to any real-world object.

How To: Make a gnome explode in 3D Studio MAX using Reactor

Gnomes are annoying little creatures. Any full-sized person should be delighted by the sight of one exploding! This video will show you how to start creating your very own exploding gnome using 3D Studio MAX and Reactor. Several of this creator's videos work with the exploding gnome example, and they can all be found here on site, so start watching and you too can own your very own exploding 3D gnome.

How To: Make a Reactor ragdoll for a biped in 3D Studio MAX

Ragdoll physics are all the rage in 3D shooter games, causing characters to die in glorious realism before glitching as soon as they get anywhere near a wall. This two-part video will teach you how to create a basic ragdoll for a biped model using the Reactor engine within 3D Studio MAX. This is a very basic discussion of ragdolls, but will get you started in the right direction perfectly.

How To: Use basic box modeling in 3D Studio MAX

Box modeling is the most fundamental type of modeling in 3D Studio MAX, allowing you to model elaborate 3D images out of many tiny boxes. This video for 3DSMAX beginners will walk you through the basics of box modeling a human body from a blueprint. You may move past this technique as your skills grow, but you need to know it before they can.

How To: Model a biped with a two-handed sword in 3D Studio MAX

If you are making games or hybrid machinima in 3D Studio MAX, the occasion may arise where you want to give one of your characters a massive two-handed weapons like a sword or machine gun. This video's sole intent is to teach you how to do that. It focuses on how to link parts of a biped to an object using an IK (inverse kinematics) object chain. Doing this will make your character move correctly in relation to the weapon, allowing them to do whatever you want them to with their shiny giant s...

How To: Use the procutter tool and booleans in 3D Studio MAX

If you are modeling a 3D game in 3D Studio MAX, you are going to need to know how to correctly model the destruction of many of your beautiful 3D models. This video is focuses largely on that. It will show you how to use the procutter tool and booleans in 3DS MAX to break up a wall without making it unrecognizable, and also how to use the fracture reactor constraint to simulate an object making impact on the wall. Your poor wall will never know what hit it.

How To: Model particle dispersion in 3D Studio MAX

The teapot dispersion method is a standard technique for teaching particle dispersion in 3D Studio MAX. This three-part video seeks to use the infamous example to explain particle dispersion as effectively as possible. It explains basic particle systems and material animation properties, and by the end you should be able to model a 3D teapot turning into a million little teapot particles.

How To: Model realistic arrow impacts in 3D Studio MAX

If you want to make fantasy 3D games, and if you're watching this video there's a really good chance that that is the case, you are probably going to have to model an arrow hitting an object at some point. Do it right! This two-part video will show you how to 3D model an arrow striking a treasure chest in 3D Studio MAX, including how to animate the arrow's motion right down to the wiggles it makes when it hits the object. Now get back into your modeling console and start putting WoW in its pl...

How To: Model a glass coke bottle in 3ds Max

In this 3ds Max software tutorial, you'll learn how to model a glass-type bottle from scratch. Specifically, this deals with creating a Coke bottle from scratch. It will not show you how to texture the bottle, just how to build it. Learn the basic techniques for modeling the Coke bottle.