Foundation 3ds Max 8 Architectural Visualization

3Ds Max 8, released in October 2005, is the latest version of one of the world's most powerful 3D design software packages. With this book, you will learn all that you need to know to produce stunning, photo-realistic work, from architectural renderings to animation. 3Ds Max is an essential tool for 3D designers working in architecture, civil engineering, construction, real estate, and land development, 3D video games, and movie effects.

Author Brian Smith covers in detail modeling, materials, lighting, cameras and animation, particles and effects, rendering, and creating architecture. Brian also includes several quick start tutorials to help you get up and running asap. This book is part of the Discreet Certified Learning Material program.

The only book on the market covering 3Ds max for Architectural visualizations, one of the most common uses of 3Ds Max Includes quickstart tutorial sections to get the reader up and running as quickly as possible Will be one of the first books to come out about the new version of the product

Autorentext
Since 1997, Brian L. Smith has worked as a computer-aided design manager and animation specialist in architectural, engineering, and landscaping firms in southwest Florida. He started his own company in 2001, specializing in the production of architectural animations and renderings in 3ds Max. He is the cofounder of 3D Architectural Solutions in Sarasota, Florida, and is currently an instructor at the Autodesk Authorized Training Center, Planet Digital Education, in Orlando (www.planetdigital.com), where he teaches 3ds Max for the visualization industry. A portfolio of his work can be seen at www.3das.com. Brian graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a major in aerospace engineering. He served on active duty, and later in the Florida Army National Guard, including two years as a battery commander, responsible for a short-range air defense battery of over 100 soldiers. Following 9/11, he served in Washington, D.C. as an air defense artillery fire control officer, working closely with the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Air Force, and the Federal Aviation Administration to provide air defense coverage of Washington, D.C. In 2005, he deployed numerous times with his unit to provide humanitarian relief to hurricane victims along the Gulf Coast.

Inhalt
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.- Animation Basics.- Animation Controllers.- Rendering.- Getting Started with Rendering.- Rendering Basics.- Scene Assembly.- Effect Basics.