Tutorials / 3ds Max

In this tutorial, I show two methods for manually modeling in Rhino an Ngon-derived aggregate surface. One uses the Project-to-Surface function and the other uses the Implicit History function. Both use Lofting.

In this tutorial, I cover how to derive a minimal surface model in a symmetrical quarter using the Loft function in Rhino - that can then be duplicated, reversed, and rotated to produce a whole surface.

In this tutorial, I cover the basics of spline creation and editing.

This tutorial covers the basics of creating and editing lofts in Max.

Setting up units, using grids, snaps, moving the piviot point, and transform type in are covered.

Covered is creating a spline cage and using it to make a patch surface, and editing the surface and using the shell modifier to add thickness.

This tutorial covers the basics of how to create a perforated parametric surface form from simple polymesh geometry. Covered is the creation of polymeshes, editing polymesh modifiers, using the inset function to form a lattice, delete a mesh modifier, and shell and mesh smooth modifiers.

Exploring the same procedures in the previous tutorial, applied to a patch surface derived from a spline-cage and a loft.

This tutorial covers creating a simple plane, using bend and twist modifiers to transform it, a path constraint to animate its movement, and the Snapshot tool to produce copies at a particular duration.

Using a different methodology than the last tutorial to produce a surface form from an aggregation of boxes.

This is a down and dirty method of generating a series of continuous vaulted forms that are cut by an external rectangular geometry. This method shows how one can use standard primitives, power boolean, and poly mesh editing together to create more complex forms.

Using wire parameters and an attractor point to vary the opening in a panel system through the control of rotation.

Tutorial covers the use of wire parameters to create an attractor point that effects the thickness and aperture of a paneled surface. Covered also is the ability to manipulate the surface using the patch deform modifier.

Tutorial covers the creation of a panel system that is parametrically connected to a sun system. Utilizes the look at constraint, skin modifier, and bones.

An introduction to wire parameters. How to develop contingent relationships between parameters of separate objects, i.e. 'wire' them together.

Using the 'Look At Constraint.' A simple method of linking and controlling arrays of objects with a single object.

Tutorial covers two different methods for adding 'structural' depth to a surface structure utilizing some of the methods already presented in addition to the symmetry and lattice modifiers.

In this tutorial I cover some of the new polymesh modeling tools available in the latest version of Max. Covered are: using loops (inserting, moving, removing), selection methods, generating topology, working with (polygons, edges, and borders), quick slice and split command. In addition the modifiers: shell, symmetry, and mesh smooth are used.

Parametric tower tutorial expands on the parametric methodologies of the bridge tutorial. New modifiers covered: skin, skin IK control, and surface. Explores the ability to use a series of control lines to manipulate referenced geometry.

Tutorial covers the use of reference copies of splines to control geometry. Extrude, shell, and sweep modifiers used.

Tutorial covers the shell modifier in combination with extrude and delete mesh modifiers.

This tutorial covers creating a daylight system and rendering with Mental Ray. Basic application of Mental Ray materials and photometric lights are also covered.

This tutorial covers camera creation and editing in addition to basic image output.

This tutorial covers a brief introduction to the plug-in Illustrate! which facilitates the output of vector line files from 3D Max - which can be edited in programs such as illustrator - but also does a a very good job at straight output.