Editorial Review

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Reviews (15)

Excellence...
If you are an aspiring artist (with a copy of 3d max), interested in divulging further into the world of 3D, but don't know much about it... JUST AWESOME!!
Before i started this book all i could do is use the basic shapes in max and map them with plan boring tax maps. After i was done i learned how to use video post alot of was to model i learn the bacis of animating and the cd has other stuff on it that have nothing to do with the book telling you how to make and animate fire this book is just awesome. I really enjoyed working with this book it was easy to understand and i learned alot. A Must get for MaxNoobs

Just Awesome..
Before i started this book all i could do is use the basic shapes in max and map them with plan boring tax maps. After i was done i learned how to use video post alot of was to model i learn the bacis of animating and the cd has other stuff on it that have nothing to do with the book telling you how to make and animate fire this book is just awesome. I really enjoyed working with this book it was easy to understand and i learned alot. A Must get for MaxNoobs ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 3ds max (Computer file)    2. Animation    3. Computer Bks - Desktop Publishing    4. Computer Books: General    5. Computer Graphics - 3D Studio    6. Computer Graphics - General    7. Computer animation    8. Computer graphics    9. Computers - Desktop Publishing    10. Film & Video - General    11. Interactive & Multimedia    12. Microcomputer Graphics    13. Performing Arts    14. Computers / Multimedia   

Editorial Review

This guide for intermediate and advanced users shows you how to produce eye-catching effects in the 3-D modeling and animation tool, 3D Studio MAX R2. You use files on the included CD-ROM (which also offers models, scene files, materials, texture maps, and additional insight on how the package works) to work along with the book's projects.Read more

Reviews (37)

Great book, easy and with full examples.
This is a 5 stars book, but is outdated now. Appropriate For Specific Aims
This book does teach the reader how to do certain things that come in handy, but you have to know how to get around in MAX to understand it. Ifound it useful, but only because I had spent the last month figuring outMAX by myself. Some ideas in the book are not particularly helpful, butthere are many others that will enhance your pictures, and the CD comeswith some useful plugins.

Excellent Book
When I bought this book a year ago, I was a newbie to 3D Studio Max, but not to animation and design.I agree that this book is not for the someonetrying to learn animation, there are other books for that.This book hasproven to be an invaluable resource in going to that next step in creationof realistic and exceptional animations.The lessons I learned aboutapplying textures to my models alone justify the purchase of this book. Highly recommended!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 3D studio    2. Computer Bks - Desktop Publishing    3. Computer Books And Software    4. Computer Graphics - General    5. Computer animation    6. Computer graphics    7. Computers    8. Desktop Publishing    9. Desktop Publishing - General    10. Microcomputer Graphics    11. Computer graphics software   

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - Design    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computers    5. Computers - Other Applications    6. Computer Software Packages    7. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design   

Reviews (1)

Good Book...Bad Timing
I purchased this book 2 weeks ago which happened to be the same time that AutoDesk released it's free 3ds max 7.5 update to current subscribers. This update includes hair and fur as well as a newer version of Mental Ray. This is where the problem with this books tutorial dvd comes in. Almost everyone of the files I opened from the cd gave me several .dll errors or mental ray version mismatch error rendering the dvd useless. So without any of the files that the lessons in the book refer to it's very difficult to learn any of the material that this book was intended for. If you are using 3ds max 7 and not 7.5 then this would probaly be a good book for you. But free hair and fur and a new cloth engine is your trade off. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Animation    2. Computer Books: Database    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computers    5. Computers - Other Applications    6. Database Management - General    7. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    8. Image processing: computer animation   

Editorial Review

3D Studio Max 3 is an enormous program that can easily intimidate a new user. The dense interface, sliding windows filled with options, and array of modeling and rendering options can form a jungle in which one is easily lost. Fortunately, in Read more

Reviews (11)

Got 3D Max Yesterday - Feelin' Like A Pro Today
Unlike my multimedia professors, this book teaches clearly, in a way that I, the student, can absorb and retain the information! If you want to learn 3D Studio Max, get ready to take off...
I admit that I am not the worlds best in 3DS Max.I have tried NUMEROUS books and found little use, some assumed you were an overall expert or a total [beginner]. I read every page!
As a new user to 3d Studio Max, I had previously purchased 3d Studio Max Workshop and made it half way through the book but lost interest since I found the workshop model that you follow through the entire book to be completely uninspiring for me despite the positive reviews of that book. After a few days of not wanting to open Max on my pc and feeling pretty defeated, I borrowed Harnessing 3d Studio Max 3 from a friend and now don't want to return it. The book must be read from the beginning to the end since the tutorials build from previous chapters. I savored every word and found there was a tutorial every 2-3 pages. I loved the book and now after 800 pages feel like I can move around Max with some confidence and am better able to look for more advanced books that will focus on specifically what I want to accomplish with Max. The book is written as though it's a course book for teaching Max to students. The book's forward says there is a companion workbook you can order through AutoDesk Press that expands on the chapter tutorials. I would definitely would like that. It is definitely a beginners book but if you have been frustrated with Max and are willing to spend some time with a 800 page book I would definitely recommend this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Desktop Publishing    2. Computer Books And Software    3. Computer Graphics - 3D Studio    4. Computer animation    5. Computer graphics    6. Computers    7. Computers - Desktop Publishing    8. Interactive & Multimedia    9. Multi-Media Hardware & Software    10. Computer graphics software    11. Multimedia    12. Technology / Engineering / General   

Reviews (4)

Character studio
This book is rather short, and quite expensive considering the length.Still, it contains alot of information.It spends the most time covering character studio, which was what i was looking for.Also, it goes over a few plugins, so if you want to use that part of the book, make sure you have the plugins.
other ways
I agree with what the other reviewers say, and will add that the content is truely "short and sweet."You'll get some thoughts on modeling and texturing, but the majority of it is on character studio.This book is extremely short weighting in at under 200 pages, but in this author's case it does not much matter.In my opinion, he offers the best 3ds max information available in book form on a routine basis. Good information on skin modifier for character rigging, as well as character studio animation features and methods you might not know all that well.If you have 3ds max 7.5, you can do the cloth fx tutorial, or if you have the cloth fx plugin.In the end, if you have previously read other character studio books, then you should get this one, but if you need to learn character studio, get something else first.There is also some hair generator tutorials that you can work if you have the plug-in.If it was longer, it would get 5 stars.

good to read on the metro
There are certain books that you read and you will spend many days going through the examples step by step. And other books that you just read and pick up some ideas.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Animation    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    4. Computer graphics    5. Computers    6. Computers - General Information   

Editorial Review

If mastering 3D Studio Max is your goal, Read more

Reviews (14)

Where to find the missing files
Here is ftp site for the missing files from the CD. A Wonderflul Book! Very Well Written! Excellent Information
Mastering 3ds Max R3 is an excellent source of information about the 3ds Max program. Although this book seems a bit intimidatingbecause of it's size, 700+ pages, it's very easy to read and understand. The authors have done a wonderful job in explaining the various methods of rendering for this application. I really enjoyed reading about modeling and animation with applying materials and lighting techniques. This book is so well organized that I found myself reading 30 pages at a time without feeling tired or bored. The novice and professional alike will find the section on shortcut keys and MaxScript very useful. I myself was particulaly found of the sections about NURBS curves and the raytrace techniques. The most tedious part of the book are chapters 13-18 which goes into detail about MaxScript, the backbone of the 3ds max program. I found this section to be very informative and necessary to learn. I also appreciated the authors no nonsense approach to learning the application, in which they mentioned that the learning process takes time so enjoy yourself. In conclusion, I think that anyone interested in purchasing this book will soon realize that it was money well spent and that they will enjoy reading it.

A Wonderflul Book! Very Well Written! Excellent Information
Mastering 3ds Max R3 is an excellent source of information about the 3ds Max program. Although this book seems a bit intimidatingbecause of it's size, 700+ pages, it's very easy to read and understand. The authors have done a wonderful job in explaining the various methods of rendering for this application. I really enjoyed reading about modeling and animation with applying materials and lighting techniques. This book is so well organized that I found myself reading 30 pages at a time without feeling tired or bored. The novice and professional alike will find the section on shortcut keys and MaxScript very useful. I myself was particulaly found of the sections about NURBS curves and the raytrace techniques. The most tedious part of the book are chapters 13-18 which goes into detail about MaxScript, the backbone of the 3ds max program. I found this section to be very informative and necessary to learn. I also appreciated the authors no nonsense approach to learning the application, in which they mentioned that the learning process takes time so enjoy yourself. In conclusion, I think that anyone interested in purchasing this book will soon realize that it was money well spent and that they will enjoy reading it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 3D studio    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Games    4. Computer Graphics - 3D Studio    5. Computer Graphics - General    6. Computer animation    7. Computers    8. Computers - Desktop Publishing    9. Desktop Publishing - General    10. Microcomputer Graphics    11. Video & Electronic - General    12. Computer graphics software    13. Image processing: computer animation   

Editorial Review

3ds max 4 has much to offer, and learning to use all of its features can be a daunting task. Read more

Reviews (20)

A guide for use 3DSMax in film and game productions
As a beginner of both film and game developer, I found this book very useful. In fact, in all this book, I found a good comparison between film/broadcast and gate/interactive production design. Not only the technical aspects are considered, but also the workflows and management aspects. Based on author real experiences, this book is very useful as a 3DSMax advanced course covering important aspects of real productions, but a base knowledge 3DSMax is needed. I think the title of book is not the better: people think it is an entry level manual. Why not "A guide for use 3DSMax in film and game productions"?! The new "Inside 3DS Max 7", in fact, is not the same.

best max book till date
hi, More bad than good
I picked up this book to get up to speed in modeling in Max 4.I've done production work with Max 4 in animation, lighting and rendering, so I can't speak to those chapters, but the modeling is frustrating at best.reference images they use for back plane images are not on the CD and entire steps are skipped over with either the assumption you already have the knowlege (in the FIRST chapter on box modeling?) or just blatent neglict.I have to mirror "reader from New Jersey"'s feelings...did New Riders edit this, or just shove it out to be the first on the shelf? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 3ds max (Computer file)    2. Computer Bks - Desktop Publishing    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer Graphics    5. Computer Graphics - 3D Studio    6. Computer Graphics - General    7. Computer animation    8. Computers    9. Computers - Desktop Publishing    10. Computers / Computer Graphics / General   

Reviews (1)

Lots of Tutorials
This book is full of tutorials and is not really what I would call a "Quick Reference".I had to buy it for my max class, but I learned at least as much by doing the tutorials on the free version of 3ds max called "gmax". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 3ds max (Computer file)    2. Computer Bks - Desktop Publishing    3. Computer Graphics - 3D Studio    4. Computer animation    5. Computer graphics    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Engineering - General    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Technology    10. Computer graphics software    11. Technology / Engineering / General   

Editorial Review

For some artists, learning to use a 3-D application is like a vertical climb up the face of an ice cliff: painful, difficult, and slow. 3ds max 4 is like that ice cliff, but Peachpit Press's Read more

Reviews (12)

Mediocre
Nothing here you couldn't learn from the tutorial book that is included with the software package.I give it a low rating, not because what it has isn't good, its what it doesn't have.THERE'S NOT A WORD ABOUT THE FOLLOWING:
It's a Reference, not a tutorial
The book is a handy and easy to use reference when starting off with 3ds max 4.It is not intended to teach you the concepts underlying 3D modelling, but rather it a step-by-step guide for performing the various functions in 3ds max. (Which has a cryptic interface to say the least!) A good starting point for learning Max
I think it's not fair to give this book lesser than 4 stars.Read more

Subjects:  1. 3D studio    2. 3ds max (Computer file)    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer Graphics - 3D Studio    5. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    6. Computer animation    7. Computer graphics    8. Computers    9. Computers - Desktop Publishing    10. Microcomputer Graphics    11. Microcomputer Operating Environments    12. Operating Systems - Windows    13. Computer graphics software    14. Image processing: computer animation    15. Image processing: graphics (static images)   

Editorial Review

Diving into Read more

Reviews (10)

Mid Level Tutorials
Some good tutorials, some really bad. Just like the first book its not written by designers but more by those techie guys who do beta testing :) But I got something out of it anyway.

An excellent guide to advance your skills.
If you are an intermediate level Max user, 3ds max 4 Magic, is a great resource. With concise and to the point directions, full color illustrations and tutorials that cover a wide range of Max's capabilities, this book can guide you to the next level. This book is not for a beginner. The authors assume that the reader is familiar with all of the tool sets available, at least to the extent of knowing where to look. Although the time that I have invested in this book's tutorials has been technically demanding the wow factor has made it well worthwhile.

a great how-to book for certain features
This book concentrates on about 10 different features of 3ds Max and does a step-by-step explanation of them.The value in this approach was that it guides you through an unknown area of max very methodically.On the down side, the extra verbiage might be unappealing for someone that's more fluent with the program.As a student using the program for the first time, it allowed me to very quickly expand my capabilities.This should be a companion to another more comprehensive book.Includes final movies of the projects covered so you can compair your work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 3ds max (Computer file)    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - 3D Studio    4. Computer animation    5. Computer graphics    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Computers / Computer Graphics / General   

Subjects:  1. Computer Animation    2. Computer Graphics - Design    3. Computers - Other Applications    4. Computer graphics software    5. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    6. Computers / Other Applications    7. Computers/Computer Animation   

Reviews (1)

Begginers Material
This training cd is for people that have never work within 3ds Max, it covers some of the basics and an introduction of the max interface.
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Editorial Review

In the right hands, any tool can produce great work, but first one must understand how to use the tool itself. Read more

Reviews (11)

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Ok, the editor of this book should have really gone through some of the tutorials. It seems a lot of the files that the author copied over still refer to her own drive. Errors here, errors there, error EVERYWHERE!
After reading positive reviews of this book from Amazon.com, I bought it with high hopes... This book could be worth reading if there would not be so many errors everywhere! I can't believe how many typos & missing steps & steps told in wrong order there is in this book! Buy some other more professional book.

Not so professional
This book is detailed. It will talk you through a lot of the different techniques you can use to animate, but it's examples are terrible. I am not a professional animator, but even I could do better example material than this. The animation of a slug/worm type thing is terrible, both in terms of it's main movement and its secondary motion. The walk cycles are abysmal with no obvious signs of reference material being used. The Lion animation is laughable. The environment animations look extremely amateur. This book is NOT for professional animators. At best it is a fair resource for finding different techniques to animate. Why they'd release this book for any reason other than to make money is beyond me. It certainly doesn't show MAX up as being a good animation tool. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 3D studio    2. Animation    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer Graphics - 3D Studio    5. Computer Graphics - General    6. Computer animation    7. Computer graphics    8. Computers    9. Computers - Desktop Publishing    10. Film & Video - General    11. Microcomputer Graphics    12. Computer graphics software    13. Computers / Computer Graphics / General   

Editorial Review

This introductory course to 3D Studio Max 2 contains 14 chapters, each of which consists of a day's work and builds upon preceding chapters. (A few of the more advanced tasks are covered over two days.) You start off with a tour of the interface and go on to learn the basics of modeling, transforms and modifiers, spline-based modeling and lofting, and Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) modeling and Patches. You also learn how to create materials and maps, work with lighting and atmosphere, manipulate cameras, create animation, add special effects, render your projects, use the Video Post module, and composite your work. Each chapter ends with a summary and questions and answers so you can review what you've learned. Besides good illustrations, helpful usage hints, and explanations of features, you get plenty of step-by-step instruction. You work along with the projects in the book by using the files on the included CD-ROM, which also offers sample models, animations, and still and animated textures. Read more

Reviews (12)

good, but could be better
This book is good as a tutorial.However, the step-by-step procedures are something that could be found elsewhere.This book is a poor reference book.One minor oversight is a lack of button pictures.If you are new to 3dsm, like me, it doesn't help a whole lot when the step-by-step directionsrefer to a button by name while the GUI only displays this name in a tool tip when you mouse over the button.It makes for a tedious and frustrating learning process.In short, you get what you paid for:moderate price and moderate lessons.

Teach Yourself 3D Studio Max 2 in 14 Days
Do not purchase this book if you are attempting to learn how to apply 3D Max in some kind of useful way. It has, for the most part, kept me in a constant state of confusion by way of cryptic instructions and a CD thatmay or may not match up with the text. Disappointing, to say the least.

Towering Pile of 3D Extravaganzas
The action never ended with this book. I read it again and again until the front of my head caved in like an old pumpkin. It was quite a sight, the cat wouldn't cuddle for days. If this hadn't happened I would have been astore of 3-D knowledge like the world has never known. But it did . . .Sohere I am. Buy the book but don't read it as many times as I did. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Desktop Publish    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    4. Computer Graphics - General    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Microcomputer Graphics    8. Computer graphics software    9. Computers / Computer Graphics / General   

Editorial Review

Some books brag that they are "complete," while others claim to be the "bible" of an application. The title of Read more

Reviews (12)

Very good as a reference book
I bought this book back in 2000 and only recently began really learning MAX (which is currently in version 7 !).
Way below par
I stepped into this book knowing VERY little about 3dsmax and 3D modelling in general.The book is very unfocused.It starts to explain something like modifying a spline, but doesn't go into detail when they tell you to lock the vertices to modify them all at once.It's like the author has a severe case of ADD.Then again, it was written by--how many?--eight authors?And at around 1300 pages, it's just TOO big.This book is the perfect example of "too many cooks in the kitchen." Extremely Helpful Book
This book, which I have read off of a friend and have yet to buy a copy of my own, is the perfect way for the intelligent reader to learn the ways of such an awesome program It gets 5 Stars from myself and several other people that I know of. It is becase of this book that I have started my own business. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 3D studio    2. Art    3. Computer Animation    4. Computer Graphics - 3D Studio    5. Computer Graphics - General    6. Computer graphics    7. Computers    8. Computers - Desktop Publishing    9. Microcomputer Graphics    10. Computer graphics software    11. Computers / Computer Graphics / General   

Subjects:  1. Computer Graphics - General    2. Computers - Other Applications   

Reviews (3)

It's cheep! and full of informations, I love it, :- )
It was worth the money when it's $99.99, now that I have known Amazon.com is selling at $79.99, it's even more for your money, it's a combination of Volume I, II, III and two more electronic chapters from Digital CharacterAnimation! Individually that cost more than $100. I tell you I regret Ididn't shopp at amazom.com at the first place, :-(

Great Resource - too bad the PDF's don't print.
I bought this resource kit, thinking I'd have a valuable library of information.I was right - almost everything I needed to know is right here, plus more.My only problem is that Vol.'s II & III are in PDFform.I knew this when I ordered but thought it would be nice to print outa chapter at a time and work on it.This would be great because I couldhave a single chapter to put in the copy holder beside the screen insteadof a big clunky book in my lap.Not the case - the PDF's are "printprotected".This makes it more cumbersome now that I have to switchbetween my Max screen and the Acrobat screen making it very hard to keep myplace within the tutorial. If I could print, the kit would get 5+ stars.

the best reference kit for 3dsmax
This resource kit is a great 3D bible.It contains everything you want to know about the program, and it covers everything.It has all three volumes for a good price, but the fact that 2 of them are in Adobe Acrobat formjust doesn't appeal to me.I would buy this kit only if you need referencematerial, or if you want in-depth knowledge of 3D theories and information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Desktop Publishing    2. Computer Books And Software    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computers    5. Microcomputer Graphics