3ds Max 2025 Essential Training

Introduction

• Introducing 3ds Max 2025
• Using the exercise files
• Setting preferences
• Using project folders

1. 3ds Max Interface

• Getting familiar with the interface
• Creating primitives
• Position, Rotate, and Scale objects
• Navigating in viewports
• Orbit and viewport Undo
• Accelerate workflow with Hotkey shortcuts
• Choosing viewport shading modes
• Configuring viewport layouts

2. Scene Setup

• Specifying units of measurement
• Defining the Home Grid
• Saving a maxstart.max template scene
• Merging scenes

3. Managing Objects

• Outlining object names with Scene Explorer
• Managing objects with Scene Explorer
• Duplicating forms with Array modifier
• Duplicating objects with Clone
• Collecting objects in a Group
• Managing display layers in the Layer Explorer
• Using Isolate Selection and Lock Selection

4. Transforming Objects

• Selecting in Window and Crossing modes
• Moving objects in reference coordinate systems
• Rotating objects in reference coordinate systems
• Choosing a transform center
• Transform center reference coordinates
• Introducing snap
• Precision transforms with Grid Snap

5. Spline Modeling

• Creating shapes
• Editing Bezier splines
• Setting Shape detail with Interpolation
• Modeling with the Extrude modifier
• Extruding along a path with the Sweep modifier
• Importing Illustrator paths to 3ds Max
• Adding a Bevel Modifier
• Modeling typography with TextPlus

6. Parametric Modeling

• Deforming an object with a modifier
• Layering deformers in the modifier stack
• Defining polygon level of detail
• Passing a selection up the stack
• Understanding topology dependence
• Versioning parametric assets

7. Polygon Modeling

• Combining meshes with Boolean modifier
• Adding edges with QuickSlice
• Adding edges with Cut
• Hard and soft edges with the Smooth modifier
• Using the Modeling Ribbon
• Branching with Editable Poly Extrude
• Detailing a mesh
• Grow and convert subobject selections
• Rounding corners with Chamfer
• Optimization with Retopology modifier

8. Subdivision Surface Modeling

• Understanding subdivision surfaces
• Modeling with Symmetry modifier
• Modeling curvature with Soft Selection
• Refining geometry with SwiftLoop
• Subobject transform constraints
• Correcting a seam with Align to Grid
• Preserving polygon count with Edge Crease

9. Camera Techniques

• Understanding camera types
• Creating a physical camera
• First-person camera navigation
• Enabling Safe Frames
• Setting render resolution and aspect ratio
• Rotating in Gimbal coordinate space
• Emulating a tripod with rotation axis order

10. Practical and Studio Lighting

• Rendering in the viewport
• Creating photometric lights
• Adjusting intensity and color
• Enabling exposure control
• Adjusting light shape and distribution
• Controlling spotlight parameters
• Using the Light Explorer

11. Environment Lighting

• Illumination with an environment color
• Illumination with an HDRI environment
• Separating environment from background
• Creating a sun and sky
• Art directing sun and sky parameters

12. Materials

• Render setup for materials
• Using the Slate Material Editor
• Assigning materials to objects
• Changing node display and graph layout
• Managing scene materials
• Managing sample slots
• Saving a material library
• Physical material basic parameters
• Physical material reflection parameters

13. Mapping

• Material shading in the viewport
• Creating a 3D procedural map
• Mapping bitmap image files
• Restoring links with Asset Tracking
• Projecting UVs with UVW Map modifier
• Using real-world map size

14. Hierarchies

• Understanding hierarchies
• Transforming pivot points
• Prioritizing rotation axes
• Linking objects
• Locking transforms

15. Animation Essentials

• Setting frame rate in time configuration
• Viewport playback options
• Creating keyframes in Auto Key mode
• Creating keyframes in Set Key mode
• Best practices for Set Key mode
• Editing timing in the Track Bar timeline

16. Animation Editing

• Navigating in the Dope Sheet
• Editing keyframes in the Dope Sheet
• Navigating in the Curve Editor
• Editing keyframes in the Curve Editor
• Changing interpolation type
• Manipulating keyframe tangents
• Editing a trajectory with Motion Path

17. Rendering

• Choosing a renderer
• Preparing to render with Quicksilver
• Quicksilver options
• Rendering an image sequence

Conclusion

• Next steps