Rating: 
Summary: Literally, Step-By-Step
Review: First, let me give you a brief description of my background. I'm a experienced 2D artist with applications like Photoshop and Illustrator. I've been doing 2D art for a few years, I figured its about time I transitioned to 3D. I purchased 4 books on 3D Studio Max. "Inside 3D Studio Max 4" , "3D Studio Max 4 Bible", "Modeling a Character in 3DS Max" and last, and least "3D Studio Max 4 Indepth". I recommend all these books except the last mentioned, its some kind of mix of intermeidate information at a begginers level. Nevermind that though.3D Studio Max 4 Bible has been a excellent book, I've only read about half of it but so far its proved to be a excellent reference and tutorial based book. Some of the tutorials are a little to simple, but the author is trying to make sure you know exactly what hes talking about, and that you fully understand it. So simple isn't bad. At times its flow is a little disorianted meaning its hard to read a chapter and then say "Oh!, I want to try that" because its a little different then that. It goes into each aspect of 3Ds Max and lays out what each button and tool does. If your BRAND NEW to 3D Studio max and 3D Modeling in general this book is unmatched. I think my mom, having no computer knowledge what so ever, could sit down and follow the tutorials and create a spinning couch in a mater of a few hours, and understand exactly how she did it. Its a great book. At times you'll find your self yawning because it goes so into detail, but months from now, when your doing your first big scene your going to be happy you read that chapter on viewport configuring, because if you didn't your not going to realize "Hey!, theres a easier way to do this" and so on and so on. Plus if you skim the book because your so excited to make your 3D logo/character and you get lost while doing so, you can flip to the chapter that pertains to your question and it will start right from the beggining on that topic. Through out the whole book it rarely references back to something you previously read to make the writing easier, it always uses the menu standards so you don't get lost, ie File->Views->so on and so on. I'm in love, I haven't put the book down yet, but I will admit sometimes I find my self getting itchy fingers and paging ahead to the more advanced chapters on editing mesh's etc. Anyways, I suggest this book to Absolute Begginers or people looking for an Excellent Reference book for all the commands/buttons/options that 3Ds Max has. If you really want to master 3Ds Max your going to need to purchase other books like Inside 3Ds Max 4 by New Riders publishing, books like those skip the "how to use the interface" type chapters and tutorials and move into the more advanced methods of doing things. But remember, this will only teach you how to use the pencil, no book will ever teach you how to be a good artist, thats what imagination and patentice is for.
Rating: 
Summary: Almost perfect ...for beginners that is...
Review: I based this book on the reviews from the users here on AMAZON, and I must say that they were accurate. Here is what I've found after flipping through this book for about a week now:
It is an indispensible reference when it comes to things like "hey, what is this little button here?" or "how do I get to that particular rollout again?" You will not find insight into WHY you would use certain functions, you will only find WHAT they do. To reach the enlightened level of a 3D PROFESSIONAL, you are going to have to go to other books.
This book has a tutorial on nearly EVERY page, but these tutorials are JUST for the section you find them in, and do not go anywhere beyond the basics. THIS IS NOT A BAD THING! You just need to realize that this is a REFERENCE book, nothing more. If you are one of those people who don't know what all the menus and buttons are for and want to learn THE BASICS of MAX 4 while sipping Scotch on your couch and not staring at a computer screen reading the help file, by all means, get this book.
Rating:
Summary: Good Examples
Review: I have purchased several books relating to 3DS Max over the years, published by several people. I have found that this book provides several examples that are easy to follow and related to items I find are important to me. The chapters are layed out nicely and for the beginning as well as the advanced people, this book will provide "easy reference with quick access without reading hours". This is a easy reading without going into the boring details that has no bearing on what you are trying to achieve.
Rating:
Summary: GOOD book
Review: i just got this book today and i have read the first few chapters..This book is exceedingly good for n00b(me)...they explain all the tools in detail. if you just look at the size of this book, it has more than 1000 pages,this is a good deal for sure. However, the tuts are really simple and short, so if u already know the basic aspects of 3ds, then get a diff book..otherwise, AN AWESOME BOOK FOR NOOBS!!!
Rating:
Summary: Beginners' guide to 3DS MAX
Review: I purchased this book along with 3DS MAX 4 Fundamentals and 3DS MAX 4 In Depth in order to learn 3DS MAX. Really as a beginner you have no idea where to turn, and what material to buy. Looking back I guess I could have saved quite a few bucks. Not that the other ones are not good books and all, but as a beginner I couldn't have done better than with 3DS MAX 4 Bible, and on top of that, I didn't need the other ones. MAX 4 Bible does an excellent job of explaining sometimes quite complex technical matters in an easy going and interesting way. Add to that, that it takes you through all the important areas and gives you explanations of all functions. I am pursuing a career in the games field, and this book has proved instrumental in learning this important tool. I would have minded paying a few bucks half a year ago, to know what I know now.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book, a sigh of relief!
Review: I'd just like to say that i am extreamly pleased to have bought this book. I am a begginer to 3d Max, and i have bought books on max's previous release (3) and have not understood much of what i was being "tought"... with this book, it has set me on the way and has made me more than competant, while making me understand most of what i have read. Im no professional, but this book has made me feel at ease, and like i am starting to know the program now, and how it all works.... i reccomend this book to anybody who is new to the program and who could use a reference book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book, a sigh of relief!
Review: I'd just like to say that i am extreamly pleased to have bought this book. I am a begginer to 3d Max, and i have bought books on max's previous release (3) and have not understood much of what i was being "tought"... with this book, it has set me on the way and has made me more than competant, while making me understand most of what i have read. Im no professional, but this book has made me feel at ease, and like i am starting to know the program now, and how it all works.... i reccomend this book to anybody who is new to the program and who could use a reference book.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book.
Review: If you are a beginner in MAX, this is the book to buy. It has like 150 step-by-step tutorials very easy to follow, considering the right and basic things to learn. If you already know something, or consider yourself as an intermediate, then maybe you could get a little frustrate, because the exercises are too basic, specially in modelling and animation. Its a great book to start, and a very helpful quick reference guide. Plus...the cd comes with very nice plugins.
Rating:
Summary: Great! Must have it!
Review: This book is a hands on training. It covers every aspect of the software. Excelent source for those who want to learn 3D Studio Max.
Rating:
Summary: Great for Begginers
Review: This book is perfect for begginers. It shows you a skill and then has you try it yourself with the .max files that come with it. It has you learn by experiance rather than reading, but it helps you through it rather than making you go off on your own. In short, if your new to max then buy this book.
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