3D Studio Max R2.5 f/x

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books on Max, ever.
Review: Jon Bell has done it again, and anyone who owns Max will want a copy of this book in their collection. This isn't just a book about special effects -- it covers creating fantastic, real world materials, discloses modeling tips I've never seen in any book (including NURBS) and explains ray tracing with practical examples. All this and it comes with free plugins not available anywhere else! (Greeble is worth the price of admission alone).

And special effects are not left out as well -- you'll discover how to do some cool things that are well beyond the average tutorial, to make your latest epic really standout. Overall this is my favorite Max book so far, and I have them all. Trust me -- just buy it.

Rating:
Summary: For MAX Smarties, Not MAX Dummies
Review: Let's get something straight: "3D Studio MAX R2.5 f/x" is written for intermediate to advanced MAX users, and not MAX newbies who can't take the time to read the manuals first. It's especially NOT for people like the two reviewers from Virgina and Texas who gave the book less than five stars because it didn't tell them what every single MAX button does. (The VA guy said, "It Was Not A Book Designed For People That Don't Know How To Use 3d Studio MAX." Well, duh! That's what the manuals are for! Read them first and learn how to use the program!) Once you've done that, you'll find that "MAX R2.5 f/x" presents a bunch of cool tutorials, fun effects, great models and texture maps, and loads of free plugins, including one called "Greeble" that's a sci-fi fan's dream. Still the best MAX effects-specific book out there.

Rating:
Summary: Why doesn't this books ship with 3D Studio Max 2.5?
Review: Quite a masterpiece. With the price of computer books ($50+) it's important that you know what you are getting is worth the money. The plug-ins alone are worth the money, much less the content. The book is structured in short, simple tutorials that create stunning results. Many of the tutorials are pre-built scenes allowing you to focus more on the F/X, only changing scene elements that are important to the effect. This is not a book to learn 3D Max but rather how to make it sing.

The author is very good at explaining what we are doing and why. Especially good chapters on lighting and making realistic materials. I've gotten lost a few times but every time discovered it's only because I got distracted and missed a step. I even e-mailed Jon Bell a question at 2am and had a response back at 10am when I got up that morning. You can be sure I'll be looking for his name on other books. (i ordered his first book Creating Hollywood-style Special Effects)

Add this to your shopping list

(ps- Jon, we don't mind that you lied (read the foreward))

Rating:
Summary: Excellent coverage of the best aspects of 3d Studio MAX
Review: This book covers things that are barely touched on in the manuals and tutorials shipped with the program. The author adds his professional experience and talent to show techniques that are useful not only for 3d studio MAX 2.5, but any 3d program. The tutorials are well written, easy to follow and carefully explained at each step. You always know where you are going when you start a new one. The CD of textures, models, scenes, and plugins is worth the price of the book itself.

Rating:
Summary: An excellently written book.
Review: This book is a fantastic tool for those people who are tired of making flat, plastic 3D images. If you have already learned the basics of 3D Studio Max, this book will guide you into new levels of competence by focusing in using the rich features of the software to add a doze of reality to your scenes. This is not a book on how to use 3D Studio Max, but rather on how to use it well. The lessons contained assume a certain level of comfort with the interface and might scare (or dissapoint) those seeking hand-holding tutorials. For the rest of us, who want to raise the quality of their renderings to professional quality, this book is a must read.

The companion CD is invaluable. I'd gladly would have paid the price of the book for just one of the plugins contained in the CD: Greeble.

If you want to get your money's worth with 3DSMax, BUY THIS BOOK!!

Rating:
Summary: Great book, easy and with full examples.
Review: This is a 5 stars book, but is outdated now.

Still have some very interesting hints about lighting in general way.

Rating:
Summary: Appropriate For Specific Aims
Review: When I bought this book a year ago, I was a newbie to 3D Studio Max, but not to animation and design. I agree that this book is not for the someone trying to learn animation, there are other books for that. This book has proven to be an invaluable resource in going to that next step in creation of realistic and exceptional animations. The lessons I learned about applying textures to my models alone justify the purchase of this book. Highly recommended!!!