Getting Started With 3ds Max 2012

WEe

Hey all! Well, I got my 3ds Max 2012 student version, so I thought Id actually start learning to use it. I have been using Wings 3D soon for 2 years. It's quite simple program and but not clearly as feature rich as max, but it's quite powerfull and very easy to use. But the problem is that everytime I try to use max, It always feels so complicated that I rage quite sooner or later. Mainly the problem is doing the simple things that I have used to do so simply with the previous modeling program. Basically, creating edge loops which I'm not sure how to do it in max right now, quickly moving over from one selection mode to another, example from vertice mode to edge mode etc. So mainly, I need to know the keyboard shortcuts of doing simple things that I can get myself going on with max. I really want to learn to use max as I have seen how powerfull it is.

Jessica Dinh

If you are just looking for the basics, I think that will be pretty easy to find Just go to youtube and search "basics of 3ds max". Even if it is not 2012 version, the basics will all still be the same. Good luck, the basic principles of max are not hard to understand, and yet you can do so much with it! xD

Canti

I wanted to become one with max and make some amazing stuff to but i too kept raging at the software because it didn't act like XSI i later realized i was stupid and eventually gave up and learned Maya instead, (marking menus )
Give vimeo a nice search they have some good basic stuff too.

Theres also this http://allhotkeys.com/3ds-max-hotkeys.html dont know when it was created or if things have changed but the maya hotkeys seem to be the same for the current software and the site post.

Digital Tutors gives some good free lessons too which i say are inbetween novice and basic http://www.digitaltutors.com/training/3ds_max/modeling-tutorials

Urkie

Max Help and Google are your biggest friends in this case, since you already have some understanding of 3D. Search for 'X equivalent in X software' for example in Google. You could also invest some money in some paid Tutorials from Digital Tutors for example.

This has been my approach when I replaced Max for Maya. It's been very smooth.

1,2,3,4,5 will select vertexes, edges, loops, faces and objects in 'Edit Poly'.
Have a look at 'Connect' and 'Chamfer' in edges mode.

ArchieVision

Hey, glad you could get Max. I love it, and once you get the jest of where everything is, and how it works you will too. I have watched a ton of tutorials to see which teaching styles I like, and I have found that Infinite Skills has a very comprehensive DVD for you to learn from. It covers all aspects of Max. I highly recommend it. It is $99 US, but it is well worth the money. Like an investment into your future.

http://www.infiniteskills.com/training/learning-3ds-max-2012.html Also there are some free video demos there for you to watch and see if it is the right set up for you. Check it out.

Lee