DIGITAL-TUTORS DEBUTS NEW 'MAX' TRAINING TOOLS
The new releases provide a tool-based approach to understanding popular production topics and a foundation for artists integrating Max into existing workflows.
Introduction to Modeling ($55.99) details NURBS workflow; polygon workflow; splines and patches workflow; scene organization with layers; smoothing methods; working with sub-objects; sub-object selection methods and adding viewport background images, among other topics.
Introduction to Animation ($55.99) provides an overview of animation tools; manipulating animation with Curve Editor; methods for fine-tuning animation; ghosting animation; animating with expressions; wiring parameters; realtime previewing; cloning key-frames; exploring dope sheet; path animation; layering animation; and seamlessly cycling animation.
Introduction to Mental Ray in 3DS Max ($55.99) provides an overview of the renderer, as well as a look at global illumination workflow; final gather workflow; caustics workflow; emitting GI photons from light sources; photon energy and decay parameters; controlling final gather accuracy; adding secondary final gather bounces; mixing final gather and global illumination; and saving and reusing lighting data.