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VENiM · junior member Member # Joined: 31 Jan 2001 Posts: 46

I'm really lost here. I was able to get 3d Studio Max and I want to learn how to do 3d modelling and animation but I have no idea where to start out. I've looked everywhere on the internet for 3dsmax tutorials but none are really simple enough for me to understand because I have NO KNOWLEDGE WHATSOEVER of how to use the program. I know that you can pay for formal training on how to use these programs but I was wondering if it was possible to learn how to model/animate with 3dsmax on my own, or is formal education required? If i can learn by myself, are there any good books/websites that will teach me of the EXTREME BASICS and fundamentals of 3dsmax? Thx!

PS. My goal right now is to be able to create character models (quake / unreal tournament) and 3d environments and animate them :P

[ April 12, 2002: Message edited by: Chron!cRAGE ]

MadSamoan · Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2002 12:37 pm

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1556228155/qid=1018643666/sr=8- 1/ref=sr_8_3_1/103-2630402-0233464

I don't think you're going to find good tutorials online. Professionals are too busy to write detailed tutorials for free.

[ April 12, 2002: Message edited by: MadSamoan ]

a0 · Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2002 9:16 am

Actually, if you're modelling for Quake and other FPS, and you're a beginner then I would actually reccomend downloading gmax.

gmax is a simplified version of 3D Studio MAX, and probably better to get you started.

Discreet also has some excellent tutorials to get you started which are actually pretty good!

You can always jump up to 3D Studio MAX when you've outgrown gmax.

gmax website

[ April 13, 2002: Message edited by: a0 ]

VENiM · junior member Member # Joined: 31 Jan 2001 Posts: 46

hey thx guys, these maybe the answers i'm lookin for. thx again! :P

Steelwind · Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2002 12:08 pm

If you want to model for Q3, buy the book the MadSamoan linked in his post. It's fantastic, and it definately does not read like a textbook. It's worth the money.

Marque Pierre S�ndergaard · Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2002 3:26 pm

To take you through your babysteps in MAX and 3D as such, I found this one usefull:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/073571066X/qid%3D1018740293/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F0%5F1/103-5126485-3060651

There are a lot of MAX books out there, and I own quite a few of them. But this one will take you far in a good fashion.

Thanks

Marque

VENiM · junior member Member # Joined: 31 Jan 2001 Posts: 46

I'm interested in the Modelling a Character in 3dsmax book that was mentioned. Another question I have is the application part of the books and how well the material transfers from different versions of 3dsmax. I think I have version 3 for it right now. My question is, will I understand tutorials that have been based on other versions of the program?

HawkOne · Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2002 10:57 pm

I always thought absolute beginners should follow along the tutorials in manuals that comes with the program ... whatever that program might be ... they always have basic step by step tutorials ...

If you, like so many hopefuls, think you can easily skip the REALLY basic tutorial showing you the workings of the software, and jump straight into modelling characters with textures, bones and start making your own feature film, you should probably wake up ...

Unless you're some sort of prodigy, you're gonna have to do coke-cans, teapots, chromeballs, doughnuts and all that boring stuff like everyone else. Just like drawing, it also makes sense to start at the bottom and work your way up ...

Chararcter modeling/animation is pretty much the peak of 3D Art at the moment, texturing and lighting is also important of course, all are pretty difficult to do well. Those who excel are usually good in traditional art as well as the more technical aspects of 3D software ...

(Can't be bothered to spellcheck)

ruler protractor pen penc · Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2002 3:37 am

definitely agree with hawkone. although you will learn by going through tutorials on the web, you're going to miss on a lot of things and it will really make you lag in your process of learning.

also, most of the books you buy expect you to have read through manuals already.

VENiM · junior member Member # Joined: 31 Jan 2001 Posts: 46

Well, the problem is that sometimes people don't exactly get a manual with the programs they get heh. That's why I asked for a bit of help. If I had a manual, that would really be great...

JoeKool · Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2002 7:55 am

I have 3ds Max 3 original tutorials/manuals, if ya want em...cheap

Firebat2000 · junior member Member # Joined: 20 Apr 2002 Posts: 1

Well, why don't you look for some books on Max???i personally love John Bell's books, but you're welcome to choose your own..
other than that, try www.3dtotal.com (i love this one),www.3dcafe.com (i hate this one lol), take a look at Neil Blevins' gallery and also his tutorials at www.neilblevins.com

of course, you'll eventually spend hundreds of hours with that program (provided you're like me).that's the thing that helps most
BTW, i've never followed the tutorials for any graphics program...except fireworks, but i don't really think it's a CG prog.

joe szabo · Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2002 6:15 pm

dude the best thing to learn max is F1..
give it a try you might lean somthing

thats how most of the people i know started out....F1 can be your best friend...

seethemd · Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2002 6:38 pm

dont buy any software specific* books, they are a waste of money, especially since your using max, its got a bunch of really quite awesome tutorials, everything you need to know about the software!

tutorials online are all a waste of time, with one or two exceptions, they are all outdated, they will tell you to model using SPLINES! or some other nonsense.

'digital lighting and rendering' helped me alot, the dude who wrote it pops up here sometimes! the only book on 3d ive ever bought!

Luke_de_Sade · Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2002 10:50 pm

Man, I'm gonna give you, probably, the best advice you're gonna get (yeah, because I know how boring going to the tutorials can be). Go to www.3dbuzz.com. They have tutorial CDs for Max (also for Maya, XSI, etc), and the best of all, they're FREE! Oh, yes they are. Believe me. I live in Panama and I ordered the CDs and Buzz (the guy that makes the CDs and runs the site) sent them.

Yeah, this reads like spam but it's not. Honestly.

Right now, they're on CD number 1 of Max. It teaches you the basics of Max R4. The second CD I believe will teach about modeling. Or rendering. I don't know.

convoyrider · member Member # Joined: 25 Feb 2002 Posts: 55

Free CD!! Will he send to Australia?

Luke_de_Sade · Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2002 8:50 am

Australia? He will ship the CDs to EVERYWHERE in the world, it doesn't matter that you live in Panama, Australia, Sweden, Simbabue, etc.

Check it out at www.3dbuzz.com