Introduction to Autodesk 3ds Max Design

Section 1: Overview

• Overview
• Visualization Workflow

Section 2: The Autodesk 3ds Max Design Interface

• Menus and Toolbars
• Status Bar
• The Command Panel
• Setting the Project Folder and Configuring User Paths
• Viewport Configuration and Navigation
• Object Selection

Section 3: Basic Functions

• Modeling with Primitives
• Applying Transforms
• Sub-Object Mode
• Reference Coordinate Systems and Transform Centers
• Cloning and Grouping
• Box Modeling (Optional)
• Statistics in Viewport

Starting a Visualization Project

Section 1: Autodesk 3ds Max Design Configuration

• Video Modes
• Preferences
• Configure Paths
• Units Setup
• Customizing the User Interface

Section 2: Assembling Project Files

• Data Linking and Importing
• DWG Link and Import Options
• Layer and Object Properties

Drawing

Section 1: Introduction to Materials

• How Materials Work
• Understanding Maps and Materials
• Materials and Material Libraries
• Managing Materials

Section 2: Material Types and Parameters

• Standard Materials
• Architectural Materials (Optional)
• Multi/Sub-Object Materials
• Opacity, Bump, and Reflection Mapping
• mental ray Shaders and Materials
• Arch & Design Materials
• ProMaterials
• Other Material Types
• Creating a Decal Texture

Section 3: Mapping Coordinates and Scale

• Mapping Coordinates
• Mapping Scale
• Spline Mapping

Introduction to 3ds Max Design Lighting

Section 1: Autodesk 3ds Max Design Lighting Overview

• Local vs. Global Illumination
• Choosing a Lighting Strategy

Section 2: Standard Lighting

• Fundamentals of Standard Lighting
• Types of Standard Lights
• Shadow Types
• Photometric Light Objects
• Exposure Control
• Daylight Lighting

Lighting and Rendering using mental ray

Section 1: Scene Preparation for mental ray

• Fundamentals of mental ray

Section 2: Rendering with mental ray

• mental ray Interior Rendering
• Controlling mental ray Quality
• mental ray Proxies

Rendering and Animation

Section 1: Rendering

• Iterative Rendering
• Single vs. Double-Sided Rendering
• Camera Parameters
• Background Images
• The Print Size Wizard
• Selected Rendering Options
• Rendering Presets

Section 2: Animation

• Animation Controls
• Walkthrough Animation
• Animation Output