3ds Max Bundle: 3ds Max 8 Essentials: Autodesk Media and Entertainment Courseware

by Autodesk

Book Overview

Welcome to the Autodesk Media and Entertainment Official Training Courseware for 3ds Max 8 software Consider this book an all-access pass to the production and training experience of Autodesk... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0240807901
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 772 Pages
• Weight: 3.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.5" x 1.0" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Great courseware

As a teacher of animation, I chose this book as basic courseware for my students. Although it doesn't cover every feature of the powerful software program (no single book could), it certainly covers the basics. This is great for teachers as well as self directed learning.

A great book to get learning fast.

I found this book able to explain the concepts involved with 3D and this particular program very well. It's in plain english, and has exercises to help you come up to speed fast. It's best if you have prior experience in other graphical programs. Overall, a great book.

Hands on for beginners

I am new to the world of 3d and have no clue with regards to a 3d environment. My company bought 3ds Max 8 and have also sent me on a course to "get-up-to-speed" quickly. Before the course started I thought I would purchase this book so that I do not look like a total novice on the course. What I love about the book is that it explains concepts and then moves into a practicle aspects of what it explained. At all times I knew exatly what I had to do (as they have many screen dumps) and I never found myself looking for a button or a tab (which I often find myself doing with training matterial). I have completed the book and have attended 2 days of the 3ds Max course. To my amazement I would say that I am compentent at this stage of the course. To conclude: I think that attending a course is always the best way of learning (if you have a great facilitator) BUT this costs a lot of money. If money is an issue I can highly recommend this book to learn the basics of 3ds Max 8. I hope that they bring out another book that is more indepth.

Great Starter Guide and Workbook.

Though most of the book is a repeat of previous material from the Courseware Fundamentals text, I found the book well organized and clearly written for NEW or BEGINNING students who wish to learn how to use 3ds max in a logical and well structured approach. The lessons are written to help the user understand the approach to animation, not just how the software tool functions and will help users to better grasp how the software fits into a broad scheme of creating animation. All basic functional areas are touched except reactor and particles, but these are dealt with adequately in the online reference and tutorial manuals that accompany the software package if you are an experienced user. However, for most people who are just starting out in 3D animation, the online tutorials may be somewhat advanced and expect the user to already be familiar with the interface. In that case, 3ds max 8 Essentials is a great place to start if you have never before worked with an animation software application.

Good beginner Book

This book is probably the best beginner book available for 3ds max v8. I found it rather similar to another book i own called 3ds max 7 Fundamentals and Beyond Courseware (Discreet 3ds Max). its even by the same publisher. Even so, theres was more information and fun labs to do. This book is to take a beginner to an intermediate user. I'm already an advanced user, so this book didn't help to much, but it did help me remember some fine details and modifiers. I wish it would cover more extensively the more advanced topics like clothing effects, particle systems, plugins, character studio, and hair. Other than that, it was a very good book.