3DS MAX – Software Configuration
Start 3DS MAX .
Main Top Menu> Customize> Configure User Path
– File I/O
– External Files (where are textures etc…)
– XRef
Main Top Menu> Customize> Configure System Path
– System
– 3rd Party Plug-Ins
3DS MAX – Micro Reference Manual – Best Viewport Setup For Poly Modeling
Create a Poly Model in the Viewport.
Viewport> Top Left Menu ‘Realistic’> check Edge Faces
Viewport> Top Left Menu ‘Realistic’> Configure…> Viewport Configuration> Visual Style & Appeareance
– Visual Style> Edge Faces
– Visual Style> Textures
– Visual Style> Transparency
Great for Low Poly Modeling:
Viewport> Top Left Menu ‘Realistic’> Configure…> Viewport Configuration> Statics
– Setup> Poly Count, Triangle Count, Edge Count, Vertex Count
– Application> Show Statics in Active View
Viewport> Top Left Menu ‘Realistic’> Configure…> Viewport Configuration> Visul Style
– Edge Faces
– Textures
– Transparency
Great to view normals:
Viewport> Top Left Menu ‘Realistic’> check Shaded
Select the object, RIGHT COLUMN> Modify> Modifier List> OBJECT-SPACE MODIFIERS> Edit Normals (interactive vertex normal management!!!)
Right Column> Display> Display Properties>
– Edges Only: check to hide triangles
– Vertex Ticks: check to highlight vertex points
Main Top Menu> Customize> Preferences> Viewports> Viewport Paramenters
– Show Vetices ad Dots
– Size:2
3DS MAX – Micro Reference Manual – Scene Setup – File Properties
Show detailed information for every frame
Top Left Button> Properties> Summary Info> Description
Set user-defined data
Top Left Button> Properties> File Properties> Title – Author – Comments – Custom Fields
How can I add custom fields?
Top Left Button> Properties> File Properties> Custom
1. Name: tape a name
2. Type: select a Type
3. Select a Value
4. click ‘Add’ button
How can I modify custom fields?
Top Left Button> Properties> File Properties> Custom
1. Properties: LMB double click the name
2. Change values
3. click ‘Update’ button
3DS MAX – Micro Reference Manual – Camera Setup – Basics
1. Right Column> Create> Cameras> Target – Free
2. Click on Viewport + DRAG to create the camera
1. Right Column> Modify>
– Lens: 35mm – 50 mm – 200 mm …
– check Show Cone
– check Show Horizon
– setup Clipping Planes
Main Top Menu>Rendering>Environment>Common Parameters>Output Size
Main Tolbar>Render Setup>Environment>Common Parameters>Output Size
Top Left Viewport Corner> Perspective> check Show Safe Frames (SHIFT+F)
3DS MAX – Micro Reference Manual – Rendering – Add BG Image
