3DS Max for Architects and Interior Designers

This is Level 1. 3DS Max on Steroids.

Training and Certifications (Add to Waiting List, Find it under Architecture Design.)

Duration: 36 to 40 hours

Teaching Methodology: Hands-on

OVERVIEW

In this course, students learn how to use 3D Studio Max to model, apply the material, add lights and cameras, render still images, and animate architectural or interior scenes. Scenes could be imported from AutoCAD as 3D or as 2D and fully modeled in Max.

Although this course is titled for architects and interior designers, it provides the fundamental knowledge for anyone who wishes to use 3DS Max. The end of the course focuses on the architect and interior aspects of the software.

OBJECTIVES

In this course, participants learn how to:

Use the Interface
Use Selection and Transformation Tools
Create and Modify Mesh Objects
Create and Modify Poly Objects
Create Complex Architectural Objects
Import AutoCAD 2D Files and Model in Max
Organize AutoCAD Files Using Layers and Plines
Import Plines from AutoCAD Files to Create 3D Objects in Max
Use Standard Lights
Create a Night View Using Photometric Lights
Create Daylight Systems
Add and Modify Cameras
Create a Basic Animation
Create, Get, Modify, and Save Materials
Import a 3D Hut from AutoCAD to Assign Materials, Add Backgrounds, and Render
Walkthroughs and Camera Movements

AUDIENCE

Architects, interior designers, decorators, graphic designers, artists, animators, TV graphic designers, art directors, and anyone interested in creating 3D presentations. This course provides the base knowledge for higher-level courses such as V-Ray, Max Modeling, Max Animation, Lighting, Lumion, etc.

PREREQUISITES

AutoCAD 2D and Photoshop are essentials if you want to gain proficiency in architectural modeling and rendering. During this course, you will use readymade AutoCAD files to model in Max. You may learn AutoCAD 2D and Photoshop in parallel with this course or later on.

COURSES IN BEIRUT LEBANON

Training Course	Description
3DS Max 1	For Architects and Interior Designers
3DS Max 2	Vray Rendering, Lighting, and Material
3DS Max 3	Vray Advanced
3DS Max 4	Advanced Modeling for Architects
3DS Max 5	Project Production
3DS Max 6	Animation
3DS Max 7	Materials/Texture
3DS Max 8	Digital Lighting

COURSE CONTENTS

01 - The Interface

Customize: Custom Defaults Switcher - Max.Legacy
The Default Workspace, Manage Workspaces, Reset To Default State
Customize: Units Setup
The Command Panel
Zooming and Panning with the Mouse Wheel, ALT + Wheel to Orbit
The Select Object tool (Q), Deleting Objects, CTRL A
The Modify Panel
Rendering: Render Setup, Render

Units Setup - CM, File: Import
Import CAD (Rescale), Layer, Maximum Surface Deviation 0.1
Wireframe, Tools: Grids and Snaps, 100
CTRL A, Utilities, More, UVW Remove, Materials
Change Objects' Colors

The View Cube - Home, Orthographic, Perspective, Configure, + Menu: View Cube Menu
The Zoom Panel - ALT W, Orbit, Pan, Render, 2D Pan, Render, Pan
The Walk Through Navigation Mode, Perspective View, Arrow Keys
Autodesk Help - Walkthrough Navigation
Field-of-View, Default Shading: View Preferences, Z Zoom Extent
The Zoom Tool, Zoom All, Zoom Extents

Omni Lights, the Move Tool, Skylight 0.4
The Viewport Menu, +, Perspective, Viewport Layouts, Shading Modes, Filter
Selecting Objects, Right_Click to Activate a View
Viewport Shade Modes
Perspective, Orthographic, Top, and Other Views
Safe Frames
Rendering Setup to Control Safe Frame Size
Grids, + xView, Statistics, 7
The Steering Wheel, Viewport Configuration
Resizing Viewports, Resetting Layout
Customize: Preferences - Viewports, Display Drivers

Undo/Redo
Customize: Configure Project Paths - External Files
Adding Maps and Using the 3dsmax.mat Library
Applying Materials, Introduction to UVW Map, Length Width and Height
Download WinRAR in case you don't have it.
Download Lesson 01

02 - Selection and Transformation Tools

Tools: Scene Explorer
Drawing Objects and Adding Omni Lights
Using the Explorer to Select, Hide/Display, and Freeze/Thaw Objects
Selecting/Deselecting Multiple Objects, SHIFT or CTRL, ALT
Customize: Preferences - Window/Crossing
The Bounding Box
Views: Active Viewport Settings - Preferences
Selection Types
Naming Objects
Selecting by Name, H
The Selection Filter

The Move Tool, W
The Transform Gizmo, Views: Show Transform Gizmo
Absolute/Offset Transform Modes
Object's Own Pivot, the Hierarchy Panel
Drawing a Door and Changing Its Own Pivot
Rotate, Scale, Move, Local and View Axis, Center to Object
Using the Pivot of the First Selected Object With Transformation Tools
Resetting the Pivot, Right-clicking of Spinners to Zero the Values
View and Local Coordinate Systems

Using the Working Pivot Instead of Objects' Own Pivots
Turn On Edit Working Pivot To Place Arbitray Pivot
Turn On Use Working Pivot to Tranform Object Around Working Pivot
Reset to Move the Working Pivot to the Pivot Location of the Selected Object
With multiple Selected Objects, Resetting the Pivot Position to the Last-Selected Object
Rotate (E) and Scale (R)
Select and Place
Moving Objects Along World, Local, View, or Working Axes

Open the Puzzle Cube
Object Snaps, S
Angle Snap, A
Percent Snap
Spinner Snap
Precision 3 Decimals
Selection Sets
Manage Selection Sets
Download Lesson 02

03 - Mirroring, Aligning, Grouping, and Cloning Objects

Mirroring Objects
Aligning Positions
Aligning Orientations
Drawing Objects Using AutoGrid
Normal Align

Group: Group, Ungroup, Open, Attach, Detach, Close, Explode
Using SHIFT with Transformation Tools to Clone Objects
CTRL+V to Clone Objects
The Modify Panel, Make Unique
Tools: Array
The Quad Menu, Isolate, Hide, Transform, Clone
Experimenting With CAD File from Lesson01
Download Lesson 03

Mirroring, Aligning, Grouping, and Cloning Objects

04 - Creating Precise Basic Architectural Objects

Creating Simple Walls and Doors
Aligning Doors with Walls
Lock Selection, SPACEBAR
Moving Doors Using Local Axis
Create: Objects, Compound Objects, Boolean
Creating Openings Using Boolean
Using the Modify Panel to Edit Boolean Objects
Modeling a Fire Hydrant (Basic)
Download Lesson 04

05 - Creating a Restaurant Scene

Units, Grids, and Snaps
Modeling a Chair
Monitoring Statistics
Keeping Polygon Count Under Control, 7
Assigning Materials to the Chair Components
Grouping the Chair
Creating Three Additional Chairs Using Rotate and Mirror

Modeling a Table
The Material Editor, M
Modes: Compact Material Editor
Assigning Materials to the Table
Using the UVW to Correct Material Display
Grouping the Table
Placing the Table in the Center
Grouping the Table Set

Using Plane to Create the Floor
Assigning Checker Material to the Floor
Creating the Walls Using C-Ext
Assigning Bricks_Yellow Material to the Walls
Using UVW Box Map to Correct the Wall Material
Creating Roof and Assigning Material
Importing Objects from the www.bimobject.com Such as the Parco Table
Download Lesson 05

06 - Introduction to Lighting, Cameras, and Animation

Creating an Omni Light
Activating Shadows
Adding a Skylight
Adding a Camera
Using Multiple Viewports to Position the Camera
Rendering Still Images, Area to Render, Output Size, Show Safe Frames
Render Output, TIF Vs. JPEG

Animating the Camera Movement
Introduction to Keyframes
Editing Keyframes
Rendering the Animation
Creating AVI or Quick Time Movie Files
Creating TGA Sequence of Images
Viewing Sequences Using Rendering: Compare Media in RAM Player
Download Lesson 06

Introduction to Lighting, Cameras, and Animation

07 - Introduction to Mesh Objects

Primitive Objects
Converting Primitives to Mesh Objects
Modifying Mesh Objects: Vertex, Edge, Face, and Polygon
Creating Stairs, Walls, Roofs, and Slabs Using Mesh Objects
The Editmesh Modifier
Meshsmooth
Building Stacks
Collapsing Stacks
Soft Selection

Modeling a Boat Anchor
Modeling a Candy Cane
Using the FFD 4x4x4, the FFD 3x3x3, and the FFD 2x2x2 to Modify Objects
Light Bulb

Modeling an Umbrella
Cylinder 0,0, 2cm, 100cm, Front View, Arc, Enable in Renderer and Viewport
Rectangular 2x2, Move Pivot to 0,0, SHIFT Rotate 45 deg, 1 Copy
Convert All to Poly, Attach
Select Facing Polygons, CTRL Double-click to Select Series, Bridge
SHIFT Rotate, 7 Copies, Select, Group
Cylinder R 3, H 1, H S 1, Cap S 1, Sides 32, to Poly
Select Every Fourth Side Polygon, Extrude 20, Move Up, Position
Use Line to Create Handle U Shape, Thickness 4, Fillet the Corners, Quad Cap
Create the Tip Using Cylinder with Taper
Download Lesson 07

08 - Modeling Using Mesh Objects

Creating and Animating a Logo Using Text Shape, Extrude, and the FFD 4x4x4 Modifier
Textplus

Creating a Pool
Box, to Mesh, Shell
Water, Plane, Ripple, Wave

Slicing a Teapot
Designing Iron Plates, C Ext, Clone, to Mesh, Attach, Vertices, FFD 2x2x2
Download Lesson 08

09 - Poly Objects

1. Difference Between Mesh Objects and Poly Objects
Box to Poly, the Modeling Ribbon, Sphere, to Poly
Selection, Vertex, Edge, Border, Polygon, Element
By Vertex, Backfacing, By Angle for Selecting Polygons, Grow, Shrink
Loop ALT L or Double-click an Edge, Ring ALT R, CTRL/ALT Click Spinners
Preview, SubObj, CTRL to Highlight Polys + Left Click to Select

2. Soft Selection, Plane, to Poly, CTRL M, Vertes, Falloff, Pinch, Bubble, Lock
Paint, Paint Options, Blur to Blur Selection Edges
Use a Sphere to Create a Bullet

3. Edit Vertices
Remove Vs. Delete, Break, Weld, Weld Threshold, Target Weld
Extrude by Dragging or by Settings, Chamfer, 2 Vertices + Connect
Isolated Vertices, Weight to Pull Adjacent Vertices with TurboSmooth
Vertex Color, Display Panel + Check Vertex Colors, Object Properties
Intro to Vertex Paint Modifier
Autodesk Help - Edit Vertex

4. Edit Edges
Insert Vertex, Remove (Hidden Edge), Loop + Split to Create New Element
Extrude by Dragging Up Down Left Right, 2 Edges Weld, Chamfer (Fillet)
Bridge to Create Bridges of Polys Between Edges, Target Weld
Connect Multiple Edges, Create Shape, Weight with TurboSmooth
Crease 1 = Edge Is Not Affected by TurboSmooth
Edit Tri. to Change Faces by Clicking on Vertices, Turn + Click Dotted Edges
Border Cap Option
Autodesk Help - Edit Edge

5. Edit Polygons
Insert Vertex, Extrude Settings, Group, Local Normal, by Polygon
Outline, Bevel, Inset, Bridge, Flip, Hinge + Pick Edge Button, Edge Maybe Away
Draw a Spline, Select Polygon, Extrude Along Spline
Edit Triangulation, Extrude a Polygon, Select Top Poly, Retriangulate
Autodesk Help - Edit Polygon/Border

6. Edit Geometry
Repeat Last (Command), Select a Vertex, Try Constraint with Move Tool and Snap off
Preserve UVs to Move Vertices without Affecting Material, Check Before You Move
Create Vertex Edge or Polygon, Select 4 Vertices Around a Polygon, Collapse, Repeat for Edge
Attach, Attach List, Detach, Select Polygons, Slice Plane, Move and Rotate, Slice Into Polygons
Check Split, Click Slice to Split Into Two Elements
QuickSlice, Cut to Cut Polygons or Edges
Msmooth = MeshSmooth, Tesselate to Divide a Polygon Into Polygons
Select Polygons, Make Planar (Avg), X, Y, Z, Grid ALign, Select Half a Box, Polygons, Relax

7. Polygon Material IDs
Assign Different IDs to Polygons With Different Materials
If You Use Multi-SubOject Material With Names, Select from List

8. Smoothing Groups
Sphere, to Poly, Select All Polygons, Clear All, Render
Select Half Polygons, 1, Render
Assign Top Polygons 1, Middle 2, Lower 3, Render, Edge Between Groups
Select All, Auto Smooth, Render

9. Subdivision Surface
The Editpoly Modifier, No NURMS Option, Add TurboSmooth

10. Subdivisions Displacement, Plane, Apply First a Displacement Map
Render to See Results or Apply Displace Mesh Modifier
Reduce Map Strength to 20, Try Regular, Steps 2, 5, 10
Place Same Map in Opacity, Output Invert, Cleanup Image in Photoshop
Place a Rusty Map in Diffuse

11. Paint Deformation
Plane, F4, to Poly, CTRL M Twice
Use Push/Pull to Paint Your Name in Arabic, CTRL to Restore, ALT to Push
Relax to Smooth Edges, Value, Size, Strength
Revert and Paint to Restore, Commit
Select All Polys, Align to Grid
---------------------- PRACTICE -----------------------------
1. Creating a Light Pole
Cylinder, to Poly, Bevel Top Polygon, Rect + Round Corners
Extrude, Box, Box, Bend, to Poly, Vertex, Y Align
ChamferCyl, Sphere, Hemsph 0.5, Mirror, Align

2. Creating a Pillow, Box, 45x50x1, Segments 40,50,1
Cloth Modifier, Object Properties, Cloth, Pressure 30 (Gas P. Inside), OK
Grvity Off, Simulate Locals, Turn It Off
Convert to Edit Poly, Select Side Edge, Ring, Connect
Extrude, Soft Selection, Edge, Loop, Scale

3a. Cushion, Box 80x45x10 Seg 20x10x5, Cloth, Cotton Preset, Pressure 5 or 10
Gravity Off, Simulate Locals, TurboSmooth
Edit Poly, Edge, Loop, Create Shape, Render in Viewport
3b. Cushion With Buttons, Box 80x80x20, 5,5,5, F4, to Poly
Edge, Select Corner Edges, Chamfer, Backface, Select Botton Vertices, Extrude -5,5
Edge, Loop to Select All Vertical Edges, Chamfer, Select Top Polygons, Push
TurboSmooth, Iterations 2,
To Create Buttons, Sphere, Squash, Copy Instance

4. Creating a Sofa
Box 240x100x30, to Poly, Edge Connect, Extrude, Bevel
Quad Mesh Modifier to Produce Rounded Edges, TurboSmooth, Merge the Pillow

5. Table Cloth, Open File, Ungroup Table, Name Top, Delete Chairs, Add Ground
Select Plane, Cloth, Object Properties, Add Top
Select Plane, Cloth + Polyester Preset, Select Top and Ground, Collision, OK
Gravity On -100, Simulate Locals, Scale, TurboSmooth

6. Stairs, Plane 300x100 Len Seg 10 Width Seg 1, F4
to Poly, Select All Polygons, Extrude 15
ALT Deslect 1st Poly, Extrude 15, etc...
Side View, Select Vertices Under Steps, Connect
Repeat Connect On Other Side, Delete Polygons Below
SHIFT Drag Edge, Target Weld
Border Cap

NURBS Modeling, Using Rhino to Create Complex Curvy Objects
Rhino Architectural Samples

Download Lesson 09

10 - Shapes

Shape Objects: Lines, Circles, etc.
Creating and Animating a 3D Helix
Editing Shape Objects: Vertex, Segment, Spline
Interpolation
Vertex Types: Bezier, Bezier Corner, Corner, Smooth
Creating Internal Lines
Attaching External Lines
Editing Vertices: Break, Fuse, Weld, Refine, Insert, Make First, Connect, Cycle, Fillet, and Chamfer
Editing Segments: Divide
Editing Splines: Reverse, Outline, Boolean, Mirror, Copy, Trim, and Extend
Attaching and combining shape objects

Creating a Wrench
Creating a Flower
Creating a Gear
Linking Objects
Creating a Cup
Creating a Bottle
Creating a Metal Rod

Fascia, Open HouseFasciaCornice, Isolate Roof, Draw in AutoCAD or Import Fascia
Fascia Center Pivot, Move Pivot to Corner, Weld Vertices, Make First
Line to Trace The Roof, Sweep, Custom, Pick, Mirror On XY Plane, Pivot Alignment
Edit Poly, Edit Working Pivot, Use, Select Edge Vertices, Rotate, Move

Cornice, Hide Roof and Fascia, Use View Coordinate System
Plane 20x20, Material, Diffuse Bitmap Cornice, Assign to Plane, Show
Rectangle 15x11, Move Over Image, Move Plane Pivot Over Cornice Corner, Scale Image
Hierarchy, Link Info, Locks Move X, Y, and Z
Use Line to Trace the Cornice, Delete the Plane and the Rectangle
Edit the Vertices, Weld, Make First, View: Show Transform Gizmo, Move Pivot to Corner
Attach the Walls, Isolate
Use Line to Trace the Wall Inner Edges, End Isolation
Attach the Walls, Sweep, Custom, Delete the Top Vertices On Line
Apply Material

Modeling a Curtain, Open Max File, Front, Plane Autogrid, F4, to Poly, CTRL M
Box on Top, Center the Box, Select Plane, Cloth Modifier
Object Properties, Select Plane, Check Cloth, Preset Cotton or Satin, OK
Cloth: Group, Select Top Vertices, Make Group, Name Top
Node, Click Box, Click Cloth, CM/unit 3, Self Collision 2, Gravity -980
Simulate Local, Scale Box on X or Y, Stop Simulate Local
Shell, TurboSmooth, Hide Box, to Poly, Soft Selection
You Could Add Another Box in Middle and Make it a Node to Middle Vertices
Move, Rotate Boxes, To Create a 2nd Curtain, SHIFT Drag, Reference

Import the Road cross section.dwg, Reverse the Spline
Draw the Path, Sweep, Custom Section
Download Lesson 10

11 - Using Shapes to Create 3D Objects

1. Creating a Column, Import, Lathe, Flip Normals
Rotate 90, Align and Center Pivot, Align Pivot to Object Min Z, Position @0,0
Add Cylinders on Side, ProBoolean Subtract

2. Creating an Arch, Units CM, Front, Rectang 300x180, to Spline
Del Bottom Seg, Fillet Top Vertices,Fuse, Weld, Spline Outline 26
Extrude 26, to Poly, Select Top Edges, Connect 2
Extrude Top Middle Polygons, Align Y

3. Wall With Starburst Window, Snap to Grid, Tube Cap Segs 2, Draw Down
Radius 1 20, Radius 2 80, to Poly, Delete Bottom Polygons
Modeling Ribbon, Polygon Modeling: Generate Topology, Edgedirection
Select Rect Poly, Modify Selection: Similar, Del, Del Inside Polys
Scale Inside Vertices to Circle, Select Outside Border, SHIFT Scale
Edge, Loops: Loop Tools, Circle, Scale Down
Select All Polys, Inset: By Poly, Delete
Select Inside Border, SHIFT Scale Down, Select Outside Border, SHIFT Scale Up Twice
Grid Extent 15, Top, Drag Middle Vertices to Edge Grid
Select Top Edges, Loop Tools: Straight, Repeat
Bridge, Shell, to Poly, Extrude, Chamfer

4. Wall With Arched Window
Open the File WallWithArchWindow01.max, Combine, Weld, Make First
Open the File WallWithArchWindow02.max, Select Window Path, Make First
Rotate the Shape 90 Around X, Select Window Path
Compound Objects, Loft, Pick Shape, Under Loft, Shape, Select Shape, Align
Shape Is Placed at Beginning of Path, Scale, Move, Rotate
Create Base Using Lathe, Sweep, or Bevel Profile Classic (Draw a Rectangle)

5. Path Deform Binding to Create Decorative Plaster
Open DecorativePlaster01.max, Select Line, Tools Measure Length
Box to Poly, Attach Spiral, Move Pivot to End, Add Path Deform Modifier, Pick Line
Unhide All, Adjust Parameters, Rotation -90, Offset

6. Key Stone Arch
Box 200x1200x85, Width Seg 13, Convert to Poly
CTRL Double-click to Select Side Edges, Extrude -9, 4
Bend 180, to Poly, Extrude End Polygons 40
Base Profile, Steps 0, Lathe Min Seg 4, to Poly, Pivot, Position
Delete Top and Bottom Polygons, Attach to Arch
Delete Bottom Polygon on Arch, Select 2 Facing Edges, Bridge
Select Bottom Border, Cap
Select 4 Edges of Top Stone, Connect 1, Select Half Polygons, Del
Mirror, Align, Attach, Extrude Bottom Polygons, Edit Normals, Unify, Break

7. Stone Garden Arch
Scale Profile, Utilities: Measure + Reset XForm, Extrude 800, Position, Bend, to Poly
Divide Segment. Move Vertices, Extrude Polygons, Finish, Align to Z
Copy Column, Group, Array, Group, Bend 360
Create Dome

8. Complex Arches
Extrude 350, to Poly, Rotate, Copy, ProBoolean, Check Move, Union, Pick, Shell
SHIFT Drag Edges to Extrude, Create Shape from Edges, Star, Sweep

9. Stone Window, Experiment with Sweep, to Poly, SHIFT Drag Border
Align Vertices With Z, Border Cap
Experiment with Bevel Profile and Lathe

10. Complex Columns Using Loft
Select 300cm Path, Compound Objects: Loft, Distance 0, Get Shape
Distance 20, Get Shape, etc.
Scale Shapes, Fillet Shapes, Previous/Next Shape, Get Shape
Select Shape Under Loft, Select Shape, Scale, Rotate, Move, etc.
Download Lesson 11

12 - Creating a Wrought Iron Dining Table, Fire Hydrant, Mousharabieh

01. Wrought Iron Dining Table
Opening the Finished File
Ungrouping
Inspecting the Objects
Creating a Similar Design

02a. Fire Hydrant
Cylinder @0,0, R60, H250, HS 2, Sides 20
To Poly, Del Top and Bottom Polygons
Front, Circle 48, Steps 1, Center ON Cylinder, Move Out
Select Circle, CTRL V, R 53, Steps 3
Select Cylinder, Compound Objects: ShapeMerge, Pick Circles, Turn Off Pick
Del Circles, to Poly, Front View, f
Target Weld Vertices to Edge Vertices, Remove Edges, Cut Edges

2b. Open the File FireHyrant01
Select Top V Edges, Connect With 3 Edges, Repeat for Bottom
Del Center Polygs, Circle Radius 47, Steps 6, Align, Bring Forward
Match Vertices with Circle, Del Circle
Select Border, Left View, SHIFT Drag, Align Y, Select One H Edge, Ring, Connect
TurboSmooth, Del TurboSmooth, OPen FIre Hydrant Image in Photoshop
Cap Bottom Border, to Mesh, Bottom Polygon, Extrude, Bevel, Move Bottom Edges Up
Extrude, Extrude, Bevel, Del Bottom Polygon, to Poly, Select Edge, Loop, Chamfer

02c. Open the File Plate01
Front, Rectangle 45x15, Corner Radius 3.2, Steps 0
To Poly, Inset, ALT W, Zoom All Selected, Bevel, Loop, Connect, SHIFT Drag Edges
Align Y, Split, Del, Mirror, Attach, Weld, Lock, Copy 7, Attach, Bend -360
Normal Flip, TurboSmooth, Isolines Dislplay, Position 0,0
Scale, Copy to Top, FFD 4x4x4, to Poly, Cap, Extrude, Chamfer, etc...

03. Mousharabieh, Open File in Photoshop, Magic Wand to Select Non-White Areas
Paths: Make Work Path, File: Export - Paths to Adobe Illustrator
Import, Scale, Rectangle to Draw Boundary, Scale It, Attach It, Extrude
Download Lesson 12

13 - Importing 2D Plans from AutoCAD and Modeling in 3DS Max

Importing a 2D Plan from AutoCAD
Pressing X to search for the Tape Measure command
Using the Tape Tool to Measure Distances
Using Shapes to Create the Side Wall and the Window
Creating the Front Wall
Importing and Attaching AutoCAD Polylines
Creating the Roof
Using AutoCAD Polylines and Other Techniques to Model a House in 3ds Max.
Download Lesson 13

14 - Importing AutoCAD Polylines to Model a House in 3DS Max

Opening the File in AutoCAD
Organizing Shapes Into Layers
Using the Polyline Command to Create Shapes to Be Used in 3DS Max
Importing the AutoCAD File Layer by Layer
Using Imported Polylines to Create Architectural Objects
Download Lesson 14

15 - Introduction to Animation

Creating the Table and the Ball
Configuring Time
Animating the Bouncing Ball
Using Keyframes to Control Speed
The Motion Panel
Animating the Table Rotation
Download Lesson 15

16 - Standard Lights

Using Target Spotlights
Spotlight Properties
SHIFT $
Free Spotlights
Target Direct Lights
Free Direct Lights
Omni Lights
Skylights
Download Lesson 16

17 - The Three-point/Four-point Lighting Setups

Setting Up the Camera
Key Light - Target Spot, 45 deg With Camera, 1, Inverse Square, Sharp Shadows
Fill Light - Target Spot, 45 Deg on Other Side of Camera, 0.6
Soft Diffuse Low Density Shadows
Back Light - Wide Target Light, Same Side as Keylight, Directly Behind Building
Slightly Above Frame, Shadows Off, Make Subject Outline Shine On Camera Side
Environment Light - Skylight (0.2)
Background Light - Omni That Includes Only Background
Tools: Light Lister
Open the File RoomWithSculpture and Practice Four-Point Lighting
Three-point Lighting Setup (pdf)
Lighting Techniques (pdf)
Download Lesson 17

18 - The Daylight System

Creating a Daylight System
Setting True North
Location Data
Date and Time Data
Setting Exposure Control
Logarithmic Exposure Control Parameters
Download Lesson 18

19 - Night View

Adding Photometric Lights
Using Light Templates
Exposure Control
Download Lesson 19

20 - 3DS Max Materials

The Max.legacy UI, Close then Reopen Max Before Changing UI to Avoid Crash
The Compact Material Editor
Standard Legacy Material, Good with the Scanline Renderer
Material Slots
Shader Basic Parameters
Blinn Basic Parameters
Using Diffuse Maps
Bitmap Properties
Bump Maps
Using Adobe Photoshop to Create Diffuse and Bump Bitmaps
Creating Seamless Material
Difference Between Get and Create New Material
Material Library Stocks

Using the Max UI, Using the ART Renderer
The Slate Material Editor, the Autodesk Material Library Installed with Software
Browser Shows Materials that Work with Renderer
Physical Material, Best If Rendered with the ART Renderer, Vray or Corona
Drawing a Plane, a Chamfer Cylinder, and a Teapot, Applying/Assigning Materials
Deleting and Picking Materials, Previewing, Quick Intro

The ART Renderer Tab, Target: ActiveShade Mode, Render, Move Object, Cancel
right-click the Shading viewport label (Standard): ActiveShade
Help on the ActiveShade Mode
Help on the ART Renderer
Help on the ART Renderer Rollout

The Slate Editor, The Browser, Views, New Views, The Navigator, Parameters
Physical Material, Minimize, Preview, Preview Menu, Properties, Assign to Objects, Pick
Shift Copy, The Toolbar, Bitmaps, Color Correction Node, Bump Map, Multiple Uses of Bitmaps
Opening Material Libraries, Downloading, the Autodesk Material Library, Default, Shared with Revit and AutoCAD

Physical Material, to Slate, Double-click Header for Properties
Presets, Assigning to Objects, Standard and Advanced Mode
Delete from Selate, Pickfrom Object, Delete Nodes, New Physical Material
Base Color = Diffuce Color, Reflection Color

Clear Glass Has No Base Color, Only Reflection and Refraction
Base Color Value 0, Reflection and Transparency to 1
IOR Between 1.2 and 1.7, IOR 1 Means No Distortion, Try 1.65
Thin Walled Option for SIngled Window Pane, Do not use it
Tinted Glass, Transparency Color, Depth Value=Glass Density 1cm,
If Transparency 1, the Sub-Surface Scattering Is Disabled

Metalic, IOR 4 to 50 for Chrome, 0 Base Value, Black, Use HDRI Background to Environment, Bitmap
HRDI Images
Change Camera EV Value to 8 to compensate for Too Much Light, 8
To Turn Chrome Into Aluminum, Increase Reflections Roughness Value, 0.35, Reduce Reflection Color
For Metalic Look, IOR 6 and Metalness 1

Wood, Add Wood Texture to Base Color Map, IOR 1.5 to 2.2, Roughen Reflections
Varnish, Coating Parameters, Dark Beige, Weight 0.5, IOR 2.5, Affect Under 0.5, Roghess 0.5

Stone/Ceramics
Physical Material, Base COlor Map, Tiles, Tiling 2x2, Grout ALso Reflective
Shift Drag Tile Map, Connect It to Reflectivity Map, In Advanced Mode Darken Grout Color
Connect Same Map to Bump Map, Physical Material IOR 1.6 to 2.8, Use a True Ceramic Image as Tile Texture

Emission/Self-illumination to Contribute to Scene Lighting
Help on the 3DS Max Physical Material
Physical Material Parameters
Scene Converter to Convert Legacy Material, Rendering: Scene Converter
Open the Material Library PhysicalMaterialTemplates
Download Physical Material Libraries
Download Materials from textures.com
Download Physical Material Library from ETC
Add to External Files: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\Materials\Textures\3\mat
Download Lesson 20

21 - UVW Maps/Unwrap UVW

1. UVW Mapping to Apply Mapping Coordinates to an Object
Planar, Cylindrical, Spherical, Box
Using the Select and Manipulate Tool to Edit the UVW Map
Shrink Wrap to Apply Spherical Mapping With Map Corners Joined to Single Pole
Face to Apply a Copy of the Map to Every face

2. Units Setup: CM, Box (50,50,50), Brick Material
UVW Map, Box, Real-World Map Size
Material Map: Use Real-World Scale, Assign Map Scale in CM

3. Unwrap UVW to Assign Textures to Objects and Sub-Objects
Breaking Up the Object's Texture Coordinates Into Clusters
Map Seam = Cluster Outline Which Visualizes Mapping Locations
Autodesk Help - Unwrap UVW

4a. File: Reset All, Drawing a Box (50,50,50) and Applying Unwrap UVW
Open UV Editor, Selecting Vertices, Edges, and Polygons
Drawing a Window Around View to Select All Polygons
Mapping: Flatten Mapping to Control Space Between Polygons (0.01)
Experimenting with the Texture UV_Checker.png
Moving, Rotating, and Scaling Polygons
Freeform Mode and Mirroring, CTRL to Rotate Precisely
Selecting Polygons One by One to Identify Corresponding Ones on Cube
Selecting an Edge on the Cube to Identify Adjacent Edges to Stitch
Sticth, Experimenting with the U,V, and W Values
Custom Stiching the Identified Edges to Create The Unfolded Polygons
Breaking the Stitch

4b. Tools: Render UVW Template to Export Texture Coordinates to Photoshop
Opening in Photoshop the Template as a Guide to Paint Texture On a Separate Layer
Experiment Assigning Each Polygon a Different Color
Deleting the Edges and Saving the File as a Texture Map for 3DS Max
Apply the New Material to the Box

5. Using Google to Search for Images of Unfolded Cubes
Reset and Redraw the Same Cube, Select Edge to Use as Seam, Peel: Seams: Convert to Seam
Open UV Editor, UV_Chacker.png, Select All Polygons, Mapping: Unfold Mapping
Move Together or Break Polygons

6. Preparing a Material with Diffuse Map maps\uvwunwrap\uv_checker.png
Applying Unwrap UVW Clear to a Cylinder, Converted Cylinder Into a Poly, Unwrap UVW
Selecting the Top and Bottom Edges and Converting Them to Seams
Using the Point to Point Seams Tool to Select a Vertical Edge
Opening the UV Editor, Unfolding, Selecting, Breaking, and Moving Top and Bottom Polygons

7. Draw a Sphere, to Poly, Unwrap UVW, Notice Default Seam
Select Editable Poly Bottom of Stack, Add UVW Mapping Clear, Select Top of Stack
Loop Select Vertical Edge, Assign Seam, Repeat for Another Edge
Open UV Editor, Select All Polys, Quick Peel, Arrange Elements, Reset Peel
Select All, Scale Down to Place Over View, Arrange Elements: Pack Custom
Experimenting With UV_Checker.png
Try These Steps on a Box With 6 Segments

7. Texturing an Arch, Open the Arch File
Select Arch Edges, Create Shape, Name It Door Spline, Outline 13
Del Segs, Local Align With Arch Z Axis
Standard Material, Diffuse Map Soldier Stone, Assign
Unwrap UVW, Polygon, Ignore Backfacing Off, Select All
Spline Mapping, Pick, Circular, Y Scale End Maps, Commit
UV Editor, Show Map, Options: Pref Tile Brightness 1
Select Vertices on Left Edge, U 0, Vertices on Right Edge, U 1
Select 2nd Vertices, U 0.25, 3rd U 0.5, 4th U 0.75, Prefs Tiles 2
Tile Bitmap, Freeform Tool, CTRL Rotate 90, Scale
Select Center Vertices, Scale H or V to Match Texture Joints
Scale Edge Vertices, Add a Bump Map

8. Open the File UnwrapUVW101, UVW Mapping Clear, Polygon, Backface Off
Select the Polygons for the Top Sphere, Set Their Ids to 1
Select the Polygons for the Right Sphere, Set Their Ids to 2
Assign Ids for the Remaining Parts
Deselect, Unwrap UVW, Polygon, Select ID: 1
Projection: Spherical Map, Fit
Deselect Polygon, Polygon, Select ID: 2
Projection: Spherical Map, Fit
Repeat for Remaining Parts, for Cylindrical Polygons Best Align or Align X
Moving and Scaling UVW Gizmos On Object
UV Editor, Display Polygons by ID, Move, Rotate, Scale

9a. Open the File 09a-WallNeedsSideWalls.max
Select Side Poly, Slice Plane, Slice, Repeat, Target Weld, Move Vertex
Select All Polys, Slice Plane, Rotate 90, Snap Vertex to Grid, Move
You May Select the Slice Plane and Use XYZ Coordinate to Position It Precisely
Slice Model in Half + Split, Del, Mirror, Weld, Remove Edges Front Back and Top
Utilities, Reset XForm, to Poly

9b. Open the File 09b-WallNeedsDetachement.max, Select All Wall Polygons
Detach to Separate Object Wall, Assign Material to Wall, Apply to Wall UVW Map Box
Apply Unwrap UVW to Arch, Spline, UVW XForm, Collapse, Attach

9c. Open the File 09c-WallNeedsIDsAndSpline.max
Select the Wall Front and Back Faces, ID 1, Side Faces ID 2, Arch Faces ID 3
Front View, Edge Select the Arch Edges, Create Shape Pline, Outline 13, Move 13

9d. Open the File 09d-WallWithIDsAndPlineNeedsMaterial.max
Apply Material, Add Unwrap UVW, Open UV Editor, ID 1
Select All Polygons, Mapping: Normal, Scale and Move
ID 2, Mapping: Unfold, Rotate, Move, Scale
ID 3, Don't Close UV Editor, Wrap: Spline, Pick Pline, Circular, Commit
Scale and Move

10. Open the File 10-WallWithMaterialsAndSpline.max
Apply Unwrap UVW, Select Wall Front and Back Faces, Open UV Editor
Display Only Selected, Try Dif. Mapping, Unfold Is Best, Adjust
Display All, Select Wall Side Faces, Open UV Editor, Mapping Unfold
Rotate, Scale, etc..., Display All
Select Arch Polygons All Sides, Apply Spline Wrapping, Circular Commit
Open UV Editor, Display Selected, Adjust, Display All
Download Lesson 21

22 - Rendering a Hut Imported from AutoCAD

Importing the Hut from AutoCAD
Assigning Wall Faces IDs
Applying Multisub-object Material to the Walls
Applying UVW Material to the Walls
Bitmap Map Channel

Applying Material to Roof
Unwrap UVW
Applying Material to the Door
Changing the Door's Pivot
Applying Material to the Windows
Force Two-Sided (If Using Scanline), Flip Normals, and 2-Sided Material
Adding Ground, Scaling the Plane, Trees, Sky Using a Plane, and a camera

Introduction to HDRI, Adding Photometric Sun Positioner, Daylight System Does Not Work
Logarithmic Exposure Control
Calculating Rendering Resolution Using the Print Size Assistant
Show Safe Frame
The ART Renderer Tab to Control the Quality
Rendering and Exporting to Adobe Photoshop

Linking Revit Files
Download Lesson 22

23 - Rendering a Large House Imported from AutoCAD

Units Setup
Importing the House from AutoCAD, Maximum Surface Deviation
Isolating the Walls, Assigning the Wall Faces IDs
Creating Multisub-object Material
Assigning Multisub-object Material to the Walls
Brick to the Exterior Wall, Same Map for Bump with Color Correction
Brick_Non_Uniform as Bump Map to the Interior Polygons
Applying UVW Material to Walls
UVW Bitmap Map Channel

Using a Sample Slot to Create a Physical Material and Vice Versa
Assigning Red Roof Material to the Roof Downloaded from textures.com
Unwrap UVW to Apply Material to the Roof

Detaching the Archs, Isolating One of Them
Converting It to Poly, Centering the Pivot
CTRL Select Edges, Create Shape From Selection
Unwrap UVW, Polygon Select All, Wrap: Spline Mapping
Pick Spline, Select the Shape, Planar, Commit
UVW xform

Detaching Stairs
Assigning Phyiscal Material to Stair, Balmoral Stone for Base, Roughness 0.5, Reflections 1, Glossiness 1, Metalness 0.5, IOR 1, 2, 1.5
Assigning Material to the Pavement, Physical Material, Stone Tavern, Reflections 1 Roughness 0.5, Glossiness 1, Metalness 1 Gradient Map W 180
Assign the Gradient Ramp Map Channel 2, Add to the Pavement UVW Channel 2
For the Windows, Physical Material, Base Color 0, Reflection 1, Glossiness 1, Metalness 1, IOR 50
Assigning Material to the Road, Unwrap UVW, UVW xform
Grass, Phyisical Material With Base Map Grass from Ground, Reflection 0

Adding Trees and Cars
Configure Project Paths
Using Populate to Simulate Walking People

Adding Photometric Sun Position, Install Sun and Sky Environment, Sun Manual Mode
Drag Environment Map to Editor to Adjust, Logarithmic Exposure Control
Using a Physical Camera, Enable Exposure Control from Camera Parameters to Replace Logarithmic
Rendering: Exposure Control, Physical Camera, Check Active and Process Back, Check Use Camera Controls
Aperture f/, Shutter Speed 1/seconds, Exposure Gain Manual ISO 200
Rendering to TIFF File 16 bits + Store Alpha
Opening the File in Photoshop and Using the Alpha Channel to Paste the Sky Into It

Removing the Background and the sun
Adding Two Photometric Lights Key and Fill with Very High Intensity
Adjusting the Camera Settings

ART Tab: Rendering High Quality, Advanced Path Tracing, Enable Noise Filtering 75% to High (Post Process)
Set Time Limit, Proper Image Resolution
Saving as PNG 48 Bits and Using Photoshop to Replace the Background
Download Lesson 23

Rendering a Large House Imported from AutoCAD

24 - Linking Revit Files and Creating Animations

Use the Same File from the Previous Lesson
Drawing the Camera Path
The Walkthrough Assistant
Editing the Path, Increasing Steps, Spline Relax, Normalize Spline
Time Configuration, Re-scale Time
Animating the Camera, Easy Ease the Keyframes
The Dope Sheet, Z Rotation, Click Keys Buttons to See Curve, Control the Speed
Rendering the Animation

Linking the Revit File Or Importing the CAD File
Camera Movements, Add New Cameras or Review Completed Max File
1. Zoom, Animating the FOV, Right-click Ruler: Filter, Zoom FOV
2. Pan
3. Tilt
4. Dolly
5. Truck
6. Pedestial
7. Jib/Crane
8. Orbit
9. Tilt

To Adobe Premiere or Adobe After Effects
Download Lesson 24