Foundation 3ds Max 8 Architectural Visualization [Hardcover]

Welcome to the world of 3D architectural visualizations using the most powerful and versatile 3D software package on the planet: 3ds Max. In just the last few years, the visualization industry has arguably become the fastest-growing 3D industry, and may soon overtake all others in total number of users. Just as the use of?computer-aided design?became the norm for nearly all architectural, engineering, and construction firms in the 1990s, 3D visualizations have become standard practice today.

This book takes you through the challenge of learning one of the most complex computer programs ever created, by way of easy-to-follow tutorials and instruction. It specifically focuses on those parts of the program you need to know to produce stunning architectural visualizations.

The intent is not to show you every possible way to accomplish a task, but rather some of the fastest and most efficient ways. At the end of the book, there is a guide to marketing your services, as well as 20 top tips that took the author almost 10 years to learn in a production environmentsometimes the hard way.

3ds Max is a large and complex application, but by learning just the features that apply to visualizations, you'll be learning everything you need to know to get ahead in the industry in the shortest possible amount of time.

Getting Around Inside 3ds Max.- Getting Started.- Navigating the 3ds Max Interface.- Working with Objects.- Modeling.- Getting Started with Modeling.- Modeling Basics.- The Critical Compound Objects Types (Loft, Boolean, Terrain, and Scatter).- The Critical Modeling Modifiers.- Materials.- Getting Started with Materials.- Material Basics.- The Critical Map Channels.- The Critical Map Types.- UVW Mapping.- Lighting.- Getting Started with Lights.- Basic Lighting.- Photometric Lighting.- Global Illumination.- Cameras and Animation.- Getting Started with Cameras and Animation.- Camera Basics.- Animationl3h