3ds Max 2012 Bible - Kelly L. Murdock [11]
Another goal of this book is to make it a complete reference for Max. To achieve this goal, I've gone into painstaking detail to cover almost every feature in Max, including coverage of every primitive, material and map type, modifier, and controller.
As this book has come together, I've tried to write the type of book that I'd like to read. I've tried to include a variety of scenes that are infused with creativity. It is my hope that these examples will not only teach you how to use the software but also provide a creative springboard for you in your own projects. After all, that's what turns 3D graphics from work into “fun and games.”
Who Is Max?
Before you go any further, I should explain my naming convention. The official name of the product in this release is 3ds Max 2012, but I simply refer to it as Max. This reference is a nickname given to a piece of software that has become more familiar to me than the family pets (whose names are Fuzzy, Snickers, and Pooky). Note: I have not been successful in training Max to come when I call or to sit on command, but it will on occasion play dead.
One way we humans develop our personalities is to incorporate desirable personality traits from those around us. Max's personality is developing as well: Every new release has incorporated a plethora of desirable new features. Many of these features come from the many additional plug-ins being developed to enhance Max. With each new release, Max has adopted many features that were available as plug-ins for previous releases. Several new features have been magically assimilated into the core product, such as the Character Studio and the Hair and Fur system. These additions make Max's personality much more likable, like a human developing a sense of humor.
Other personality traits are gained by stretching in new directions. Max and its developers have accomplished this feat as well. Many of the new features are completely new, not only to Max, but also to the industry. As Max grows up, it will continue to mature by adopting new features and inventing others. I just hope Max doesn't experience a midlife crisis in the next version.
Along with adopted features and new developments, the development teams at Autodesk have sought feedback from Max users. This feedback has resulted in many small tweaks to the package that enable scenes to be created more quickly and easily.
Some additional factors have appeared in Max's house that certainly affect Max's development. First is the appearance of Max's adopted brother, Maya. There are other siblings in the Autodesk household (including MotionBuilder and AutoCAD), but Maya is closest in age to Max, and its personality likely will rub off in different ways.
The second big factor is that Max has developed an alter ego that imagines it is a superhero. The 3ds Max installation discs ship with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. The 64-bit version overcomes the 2GB hardware restriction and lets users work with huge datasets. This represents a huge leap forward in the scale of models that you can work with. In time, I see Max assuming this superhero persona permanently.
Max also has a split personality with two different versions. The standard 3ds Max 2012 is intended for the entertainment markets, and the new 3ds Max 2012 Design package is intended for visualization and architecture users. The differences between these two versions are subtle, but I'm glad to report that both versions are covered.
About This Book
Let me paint a picture of the writing process. It starts with years of experience, which are followed by months of painstaking research. There were system crashes and personal catastrophes