3ds max 4 Workshop

Rating:
Summary: Some words from the author of 3ds max 4 Workshop
Review: After reading some of the reviews of my latest book 3ds max 4 Workshop I decided that it was time to write and address some of the questions and responses that have been appearing. Let me first say that I enjoy and appreciate the critical reviews as well as the favorable ones. Cordial and constructive criticism is always welcome. The book was written for the beginner to intermediate level max user with the idea of presenting as many of the basics of max as possible in the shortest time. All of that in the context of a singe cohesive project. Ambitious and hard to do and very experimental, especially in terms of the scope of the project. The book doesn't show you how to do everything...you'll have to do a lot of the basic work yourself and study the max documentation. But hopefully the most important principles are there and with the content on the CD you'll benefit from the book. The errors in the book (there are a few) are mine and although they are unintentional I can understand the frustration for those of you who get stuck and can't figure out why. So, it's important to get feedback from you the reader so that I can make the necessary revisions to the next print run. To that end, and in response to the reader who said that my publishers at QUE didn't know who I was (I'll be talking to them about that) I have set up an email address that any reader is welcome to use to get in contact directly with me. I will be very happy to receive your questions and comments. Please write to me at [e-mail]. In many ways I am just like those of you who are buying max books in an effort to master 3ds max. I buy too many of them myself striving to learn more about this amazing tool and the more I learn the more I realize that I don't know very much at all especially when compared to the amazing artists who, along with myself, are lucky enough to work with max creating the stuff we create. I don't know if I feel lucky or cursed to have the opportunity to write the books I have...depends on the day and time. All I know is that when I read that what I've written has helped an artist to grow in their skills or learn something new...that feels great and makes my feeble efforts to explore max with you worthwhile. Here's to a great 2002 for all you insane max artists out there. Max rules...no doubt.
....

Rating:
Summary: JUST AWESOME!!
Review: Before i started this book all i could do is use the basic shapes in max and map them with plan boring tax maps. After i was done i learned how to use video post alot of was to model i learn the bacis of animating and the cd has other stuff on it that have nothing to do with the book telling you how to make and animate fire this book is just awesome. I really enjoyed working with this book it was easy to understand and i learned alot. A Must get for MaxNoobs

Rating:
Summary: A Must Own!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: For anyone who is working to learn and understand 3D in an artistic manner, you must buy this book. Duane has a keen way with words and vast knowledge of his craft that make his books superior. Yet again, Duane takes the reader through a project rather than random tutorials. It's truly refreshing to read a tutorial book written by a true artist. I have had the pleasure of working closely with Duane for several years now I'm glad he has been given the opportunity to share his knowledge with others.

Rating:
Summary: Alien approach
Review: Has an alien to the fascinating world of 3D, Duane Loose uses Area 51 as the theme in which you will learn 3DS max step-by-step to feel confortable and confident as a beginner.

Building a short-lenght movie you will acquire knowledge in planning a digital project, in basic modeling techniques, in textures and lighting, animation fundamentals, special effects and, finally, post-production. Yet, the book doesn't remain purely technical, valorising the artist's traditional approach. You have to remember, in MAX you are a storyteller, an illustrator, an animator, a director, post production editor, not to mention producer in many cases. Not forgiving since 3DS MAX has all the utilities to produce full lenght movies. But before you decide to take on the next Toy Story, start with this book and you'll clearly see why 3D is even more stratling when your behind the scenes.

The page layout can be a little frustrating sometimes when photo-illustrations referred in a paragraph are often not on the same page. This would resume the downside of 3ds max 4 Workshop by Duane Loose.

Note: my background is graphic designer for the web, specialized in Flash interactivity. This is the only book I've read on 3DS max.

Rating:
Summary: Some Error Here and There
Review: I must make it clear that I am a beginner on 3DSM. So, heres my review:-
This book is very complete and suits beginners of 3dsm on the whole. However, there are still minor errors here and there which beginners have to figure out themselves.
Now I am on chapt. 4 of the book and was following the instructions on the book. Nevertheless, I can't get the results from what it say should be.
One situation is when it said use procedural noise map but when I open the sample max file from the cd it uses procedural cellular map.
Furthermore, during rendering I encountered error msg although I followed the instructions on the book.
I have even tried to contact the author but the publisher QUE say he is uncontactable cos he is not one of their authors.

Rating:
Summary: 3ds max 4 Workshop Review
Review: I've been working with 3d Studio Max 4 for about a year now, and not to brag but I can create some pretty impressive stuff. But the only problem is that, I didn't really know how my renders were working. I didn't know why that light was reflecting the way it did. Also I didn't really know how to do many things because the only real things that I learned that wasn't self taught were tutorials from 3dcafe.com. I decided to buy a book to pick up some extra techniques. After reading the reviews for this book and seeing the price I thought "Hey minus well try." I am about half way through the book now and I have picked up many modeling techniques and lighting hints. You really can't go wrong with this book if you are a beginner or semi-skilled user of 3dsm r 4. The cd is packed with plugins, examples and the complete video that you make. This book is really a bang for the buck and shouldn't be passed up.

fx-design.cjb.net is my web site adress, if you check soon enought you can see some of my "before book" renders.

Rating:
Summary: 3ds max 4 Workshop Review
Review: I've been working with 3d Studio Max 4 for about a year now, and not to brag but I can create some pretty impressive stuff. But the only problem is that, I didn't really know how my renders were working. I didn't know why that light was reflecting the way it did. Also I didn't really know how to do many things because the only real things that I learned that wasn't self taught were tutorials from 3dcafe.com. I decided to buy a book to pick up some extra techniques. After reading the reviews for this book and seeing the price I thought "Hey minus well try." I am about half way through the book now and I have picked up many modeling techniques and lighting hints. You really can't go wrong with this book if you are a beginner or semi-skilled user of 3dsm r 4. The cd is packed with plugins, examples and the complete video that you make. This book is really a bang for the buck and shouldn't be passed up.

fx-design.cjb.net is my web site adress, if you check soon enought you can see some of my "before book" renders.

Rating:
Summary: Excellence...
Review: If you are an aspiring artist (with a copy of 3d max), interested in divulging further into the world of 3D, but don't know much about it...
THIS IS FOR YOU!

With very good wording and layout, this book sets out to teach and enlighten you in a number of different subjects, not just 3ds max. I found Duane Loose's collection of quotes and tips from other artistic professionals invaluable. And among other things, his advice on storytelling and pre-visualizing soon to be eye-candy for YOUR viewers is also invaluable. Not to mention, the hands on training is typically as easy and rewarding as pie.

I worship this book even though I am a max v5 user and this book was written during the v4 period. Although I am not through it all yet, so far there hasn't been much confusion due to missing/changed layouts or options.

The only reason I neglected this book of a single star is because I wished for further detail during some of the beginning chapters, like the ones which detail the process which a true artist takes in order to appeal to his audience. Colored pictorials would be nice too, by the way. But then again, what IS a 5 star book?

BUY THIS BOOK AND LET IT OWN YOU. Because remember: THE THINGS YOU OWN END UP OWNING YOU...
But sometimes, this is what you want, and this is one of those times.

Any questions?

Rating:
Summary: The Workshop covers the basics of 3ds max & then some
Review: The book is definitely for beginners. Which was just what I was looking for. I only did the 1st 6 tutorials before buying this book, so naturally I learned a lot. You work through a short avi sci-fi clip which should keep your interest from wondering. The book is simple and the instuctions for most of the scenes are explicit in detail, except for two where the author wants you to apply mostly what you've already learned... but there are a few aspects that are new & that are run through very quickly. The book at times does let you go at times which is good so it pushes you to learn the program, but at times it may get fustrating when the number of hours you've spent are limited. It may interest readers to know that half the book is devoted to one scene which is only aprox. 1/5th of the avi. The book also briefly discusses how to tell a good story, story bording, artistic techniques, & animation which may be a plus, but if you have taken creative writing cources, art cources , or film cources this may seem a little redundant to you. Also he has as few little cute qoutes that are unneccessary. In conlusion the book is still a great work shop, and an ok refrence book. Please note this is the 1st 3ds max book i picked up.

Rating:
Summary: 3D Studio Max 4 Workshop
Review: This book is a great introduction to beginners and intermediate max artists. I find it easier to learn something when it is connected to some sort of theme that gives it purpose. This makes it easier to remember things you have learned. It brings you through the process of creating something and making it whole. It offers great encouragement and a sense of seeing something through to the end. Those of you, who have worked in a studio before (and for many years) should not be surprised at your disappointment when you find the book covers things you have done. However, if you have never seen a full project through before and have not had much experience working with the max interface, (and like aliens) will enjoy the book! The one major down side, however, was that the book's illustrations are all grayscale. But it does come with a cd that has the nice finished projects.