3ds Max 4 Fundamentals [With CDROM]

by Ted Boardman

Provides the basics of 3ds max 4 along with detailed information on new features. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 073571066X
• ISBN13: 9780735710665
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: New Riders Publishing
• Length: 515 Pages
• Weight: 1.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 7.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Great Book for CG Architects

I'm currently an architect intern with a strong passion for architectural illustrations. Recently I became heavily interested in pursuing my career as a CG Architect. I was familiar with some other 3D modeling programs (Maya Unlimited and Form Z) but had problems finding good 3ds Max books for architects, mainly because most 3ds max books focus on character creation and animation. I finally found this book and quickly became addicted to it. Great illustrations and detailed explainations guide you through the process of creating a diner. I definitely recommend it to any CG architects who are not familiar with 3ds max. If you've never used a 3D modeling program, however, this book might be a little difficult.

Great Book

I am teaching myself Max currently with version 4 and it is not and easy proggram to just use trial and error tactics to understand. As the title implies, this book is for fundamentals and a solid foundation in Max. This should be the first Max book anyone should purchase. It is undoubtedly one of the easiest 3d books to read and it is so easy to follow the step by step tutorials and the author (Ted Boardman) explains 3d concepts with real life analogies to bring things down to earth. It was a breeze going through the book and I had no problems at all. I have definitely learned a lot from it and I'm ready to move to more intermediate level stuff in a short period.I would recomend it to anyone aspiring to understand the program more. Ted Boardman is a great teacher and any of his series of Max Fundamentals books (whatever version) should be the best way to start off.

Excellent for beginners

This book is exactly what it states on the cover, it is a tutorial of the fundamental elements of the very powerful 3ds Max 4 software.Just moving from the programmer's side of the computer to the artist's side, I needed something that would show me how to create 3-dimensional objects using the basic 2d polygons, an essential to becoming a skilled user of any 3d software.The author does a great job of walking the user through object creation from the basic rectangle or triangle to the finished product, complete with lights, cameras, animation, and texturing.This book was exactly what I needed to get a start on 3-dimensional computer art. If you are also somewhat of a beginner to 3d design, I would strongly recommend this book. If you are intermediate to advanced, I may caution you that it probably would be restating a lot of what you already know, so try looking elsewhere.

An Excellent Max book for all users!

I purchased 3ds max 4 Fundamentals almost a week ago, and I'm almost half-way through the book. The book is thoroughly enjoyable and very comprehensive. Mr. Boardman takes a practical approach by basing the book on the creation of a 1950s diner, but each step of the way is suffused with important and fundamental concepts essential to a professional understanding of 3ds Max. I find myself amazed through each of the excellent exercises over how much power is hidden away in this fantastic program. I thoroughly commend Mr. Boardman and New Riders Press for providing new users like me with such a great resource. I believe any user, no matter what level of expertise, could benefit from this book.

Great book, 10 stars...

Let me start out saying I'm 16, and I just got a copy of 3ds max a few days ago. I picked up this book because it looked more "newbie" friendly... I didn't know anything about making 3d graphics before but now I'm already making animations and modeling stuff, usually making dragonball z characters and stuff.This book shows you all about customizing the interface, lighting and rendering, modeling, and the best thing is the cd... The cd is great and has the photos in the book in color... And it has all the models you need to follow with the book.If your new to 3ds max like me, you have found your new companion....