D Studio Max Articles

The teapot dispersion method is a standard technique for teaching particle dispersion in 3D Studio MAX. This three-part video seeks to use the infamous example to explain particle dispersion as effectively as possible. It explains basic particle systems and material animation ...more

Particles are tiny images in 3D graphics that are essential to creating clouds, fire, and various other effects. This three-part video will teach you how to use particle flow in 3D Studio MAX to create particle images in your 3D graphics. Expand your repertoire of effects by w ...more

3D particles allow you to create all sorts of cool effects in 3D Studio MAX, like 3D fire, clouds, and other visible gases. This video is an introduction to the use of particles in 3DS MAX, covering the basics of particle presets, defectors, and gravity space warps. These tips ...more

Making a head is hard enough with pen and pencil or with clay. Doing it in a 3D graphics program can seem impossible. This video is here to prove that such is not the case. Its eleven parts feature incredibly detailed instructions for modeling a human head using 3D Studio Max, ...more

So you finally shelled out for 3D Studio MAX. Congratulations. Now you need to make something with it! This video for beginners will walk you through the basics of modeling a character in 3D Studio MAX. It covers setting up a reference image (the one from the video is here), c ...more

Creating a good 3D model of the human face is massively challenging. This five-part video will teach you how to do just that using the popular 3D modeling software 3D Studio Max. It goes into great detail, and should be very helpful for anyone looking to improve their 3D model ...more

Have you ever wanted to modify the 3D images from your favorite video games yourself? This video is here to help! It will teach you how to import and rig a 3D character (in this case a Bloodelf from World of Warcraft) in 3D Studio MAX. Now you can edit the character however yo ...more

If you are modeling a 3D game in 3D Studio MAX, you are going to need to know how to correctly model the destruction of many of your beautiful 3D models. This video is focuses largely on that. It will show you how to use the procutter tool and booleans in 3DS MAX to break up a ...more

Clothing a 3D model properly is almost as hard as making the model in the first place. Fortunately, 3D Studio MAX and this video are here to help. Watching this you will learn how to create splines, simulate cloth animation, and use good smoothing techniques, among other thing ...more

The mushroom cloud is one of the iconic images of the 20th century, calling to mind destruction, progress, and arguably the single most important event of the century. This video will show you how to create a 3D model of one using 3D Studio MAX 4 or higher. This can then be us ...more

Pelt mapping is the technique in 3D Studio MAX by which you can remove the "skin" from an image and stretch it out flat to work with it, like the pelt of a fox except that you can put it back on! This video will teach you how to use pelt mapping yourself in three parts. Part 1 ...more

In the old days, artists used to have their apprentices render all of the parts of some human figures except for the face and hands. Those are the hardest parts, and had to be done by the master. If you aspire to be a 3D modeling master, you have to be able to make good-lookin ...more

This video describes the process of Linking Architectural Models from Revit into 3DS max in order to create a live link between the programs. Part 1 of 2 - How to Create a live link between Revit and 3D Studio Max. Part 2 of 2 - How to Create a live link between Revit and 3D ...more

Edge loop character modeling in 3D Studio MAX allows you to create smooth, natural-looking characters. This video will introduce you to using edge loop modeling to model a character from a blueprint (get it here). This is one of the most fundamental techniques in 3D modeling, ...more

Creating wires, cords, and other rope-like objects in 3D Studio MAX can be tough, as they are oddly proportioned and often oddly positioned. This two-part video will show you how to model such objects in 3DS MAX. Now you can model yourself sitting at the computer modeling with ...more

Creating a good 3D model in 3D Studio MAX is hard enough. Now I've got to model clothes onto them too? Why can't all 3D game characters be naked? Once you've resolved that debate in your head, watch this video. It will show you how to use the Reactor cloth system within 3DS M ...more

Box modeling is the most fundamental type of modeling in 3D Studio MAX, allowing you to model elaborate 3D images out of many tiny boxes. This video for 3DSMAX beginners will walk you through the basics of box modeling a human body from a blueprint. You may move past this tech ...more

If you want to make fantasy 3D games, and if you're watching this video there's a really good chance that that is the case, you are probably going to have to model an arrow hitting an object at some point. Do it right! This two-part video will show you how to 3D model an arrow ...more

The nose is the most prominent feature of the face, and cannot be obscured by sunglasses or hats like the eyes and hair. This two-part video will show you how to add detail to the nose of a 3D model of a human head using 3D Studio Max. You have to have a face already for this ...more

Ragdoll physics are all the rage in 3D shooter games, causing characters to die in glorious realism before glitching as soon as they get anywhere near a wall. This two-part video will teach you how to create a basic ragdoll for a biped model using the Reactor engine within 3D ...more

See how to create realistic glass surfaces within 3D Studio Max 2010 or 2011. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. ...more

Do you find the black and white icons in 3D Studio Max 10 boring and bland? Do you need some color to brighten up the hours and hours you spend modeling in front of the computer? This video will show you how to change the color of the icons and text in the dark UI of 3D Studio ...more

See how to use standard Cebas FinalRender shaders to create some simple glass shaders and learn a little about reflection and glossy features within 3D Studio Max 2010. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better ac ...more

Reactor is a physics engine contained in 3D Studio MAX that allows you to simulate the effects of physics on your 3D models without having to animate them manually. This video will teach you the basics of using Reactor, including a discussion of when you should use Reactor in ...more

See how to create arrays of objects in 3D Studio Max. While there are a variety of methods for generating object arrays, this clip looks at two of the faster methods for creating 1D, 2D & 3D arrays. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D ar ...more

Link constraints are a simple and useful part of the toolset available to you in 3D Studio Max. They allow you to attach one object to another so that when one moves, it will only move in relation to some parameters governing its position relative to the other object. This vid ...more

This clip will walk you through how to create a procedural tile material in 3D Studio Max. It also covers composite materials, masks and noises. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the ...more

See how to use 3ds Max 2010's built-in grouping features to work on multiple meshes the same way you might work on a single object. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, ...more

In this 3ds Max tutorial, Michael Hurwicz provides an introduction to the View Cube and the Steering Wheel, new features in 3ds Max 2009 which make it easier to perform viewport navigation operations like orbit, pan and zoom. Creative Cow is a support community for digital vi ...more

Learn how to take use the Slate material editor in 3ds Max 2011. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the 3ds Max 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial fro ...more

If you are making games or hybrid machinima in 3D Studio MAX, the occasion may arise where you want to give one of your characters a massive two-handed weapons like a sword or machine gun. This video's sole intent is to teach you how to do that. It focuses on how to link parts ...more

See how to model a natural landscape within 3ds Max 2010 using the Displace modifier, a few simple primitives and some procedural maps nested in a precise way using the Composite map. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looki ...more

This video tutorial is in the Software category which will show you how to map multi-sub objects in 3D Studio Max. What this means is you can apply two textures to a single 3D object. First you select the 3D object, say a box and go to editor > standard > multi sub-object > OK ...more

In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Michael Park shows you how to recreate the opening gun barrel sequence from the two newest James Bond movies in 3d Studio Max using the default scanline renderer, minimal modeling, and only standard materials. Creative Cow is a supp ...more

See how to use a composite map to create a wet effect or a water presence effect over a surface in a very simple and fast way within 3ds Max 2010. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with t ...more

Meet the 3ds Max 2010 Layer Manager tool (and then wonder what you ever did without it)! Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this vide ...more

See how to take advantage of 3ds Max 2010's in-built tear modeling feature, which provides 3D artists to quickly cut a cloth as if due to a strong stretching force or a reaction to a hard collision with other rigid body meshes. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling ...more

Get started creating simple 3D models within 3ds Max 2011. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more informati ...more

This clip illustrates a few techniques for breaking meshes up into pieces and animating them using 3ds Max's Reactor system. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're ...more

This clip offers a primer on how to create and manipulate materials within the 3Ds Max 2011 user interface. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be well ...more

In this tutorial, you'll see how to create a grass scene using the stock modeling tools within 3ds Max 2010 and 2011. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure t ...more

This clip discusses a very useful way to work and organize your 3D scenes—to wit, the 3ds Max Layer system. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be well ...more

This clip provides a quick reference on how to create realistic trim quickly using splines and editable polys. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be we ...more

Interested in making the next Finding Nemo? Learn how to model and render a complete underwater scene using 3ds Max 2010 with this video guide. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the ...more

Creating a realistic human face in any artistic medium is the greatest of all art's challenges. This video will teach you how to make a model of a face using the popular 3D Studio Max 6 3D modeling software. The video's five parts cover all phases of the process, and should ha ...more

An image of a human head can consist of a single penstroke or a thousand polygons. The head model that you will be learning to create in this three-video series leans very much towards the latter. The videos will teach you how to create a 3D model of the human head using 3D St ...more

3D modeling is one of the most challenging and lucrative things that can be done on a computer. If you can do it well, someone will most likely pay you good money to do so. This video will help you start by teaching you how to model using 3D Studio Max, using an axe as an exam ...more

3D Studio Max is a powerful, but daunting tool for creating beautiful 3D art assets on the computer. This video will teach you how to use one powerful tool in the 3DSMax toolbox, the unwrap tool. Specifically, you will learn how to use it in pelt mapping using an axe as an exa ...more

This 3ds Max tutorial shows you how to make a sky background or backdrop for your animations or videos. The second video shows you an alternative way to make a 3D sky using a sphere instead of a plane. Part 1 of 2 - How to Create a sky in 3D Studio Max 9. Part 2 of 2 - How to ...more

3D Studio Max is probably the premiere piece of 3D modeling software available for the PC today. This video will teach you, the budding 3D artist, how to create cage splines and use them to save time in your modeling. It also uses a surface modifier to complete the image. Get ...more

In this tutorial, learn how you make volume light in 3d Studio Max 2010. Learn what you can do with attenuation once the volume light is created. Don't have the 2010 version of 3ds Max? No fear. These actions will work in older versions of #D Studio Max as well.

Almost every 3D image depicted on a digital screen is made from thousands of tiny polygons. Modeling with them is the most fundamental part of 3D modeling. This video will introduce you to the basics of 3D polygon modeling, helping you to create a 3D shape that is smooth and c ...more

Making a car takes a lot of time, money, and mechanical knowledge. If you don't have those things, plus the motivation to do so, why not make a 3D model of one? This two-part video will teach you how to make a 3D model of the rim of a car, the most important part depending on ...more

Watch this 3ds Max video for an introduction to a complete series of tutorials for modeling and texturing a human head sponsored by Ego Farms. This is the very start of learning how to use this digital animating software. You'll also get insight on Adobe Photoshop, since you'l ...more

See how to simulate underwater lighting and caustic illumination within 3ds Max 2010. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this video t ...more

Morph modifiers are just one of the powerful tools that 3D Studio Max offers digital artists to change the shape of their models. This video will teach you how to use morph modifiers in 3dsmax to change the shape of objects. If you can't do this, your 3D models are going to ha ...more

Learn how to change the position of the camera when working in 3ds Max. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For m ...more

If you're looking for a tutorial to sculpt 3D prims for your Second Life avatar mesh, you've found it. This tutorial walks you through the process for creating your own images and avater files using the software program 3D Studio Max.

Gnomes are annoying little creatures. Any full-sized person should be delighted by the sight of one exploding! This video will show you how to start creating your very own exploding gnome using 3D Studio MAX and Reactor. Several of this creator's videos work with the exploding ...more

The Rubik's Cube is one of the 20th century's iconic toys. Have you ever wanted to make one? Not a real one, but a 3D image of one? Well then this video was made for you. It features detailed instructions for animating and modeling a Rubik's Cube using 3D Studio MAX.