The target audience for 3ds max 4 Fundamentals is users new to computer graphics and animation for whom 3ds max 4 is the tool of choice. Artists experienced with Max and wanting the scoop on the new features might be disappointed, but someone who doesn’t know a storyboard from an x-axis will probably get quite a bit from this book.

Computer graphics is an involved topic, and animation is a specialty by itself. Trying to learn the fundamentals of either of these fields while learning to use a program like 3ds Max 4 is difficult at best, since each is worthy of its own devoted study. This book, however, opens with two chapters (making up part I) covering a crash course in graphics from an animation perspective, including storyboarding, composing a shot, the importance of color and lighting, and movement. Chapter 2 nails down the basics of how 3ds max 4 works from a conceptual standpoint, a sort of bird’s eye view of the application. This covers Max terminology and the basic feature categories without getting into the specifics of exactly how to do things--that starts in the next part.

Part II, the bulk of the book, dives into the actual use of Max. Workflow, getting around the interface, modeling, texturing, lighting, the basics of animation, and rendering are discussed over the course of 300-plus pages. Many of the examples follow the making of a single scene throughout the book: The interior of a diner. This is a fairly involved scene, and learning how to create it from scratch all the way through final rendering provides a nice sense of continuity.

Part III, "New and Updated Max Features," focuses on what’s new in version 4. Since this book is oriented toward new users, this section is more of an overview than a how-to on the new features.

Overall, the writing is clear and concise, and each chapter is well illustrated. One drawback is the complete lack of color illustrations, although the CD-ROM includes color versions of all the images used in the book, along with all the project files and some free and demo version third-party plug-ins.

The 3ds max 4 application is a major upgrade from version 3.1, and although much of the interface hasn’t changed, there are enough new features and enhancements to give pause to experienced users and probably stop new users in their tracks. The new features or improved functionality make Max an even deeper and richer program than it was, but the learning curve has grown longer and steeper. This book offers a slightly different take on the tools and features than is provided in the manuals; it is a concise and approachable handbook for mastering this powerful animation system. --Mike Caputo

3ds max 4 Fundamentals is a tutorial- reference in which the basic concepts of 3D representation and 3ds max are explored, with special attention given to new and upgraded features of the new release. The book focuses on key features so that the reader can use this basic knowledge to progress to a higher level of understanding and efficiency both in skill and in book choice.

Great Book for CG Architects

I’m currently an architect intern with a strong passion for architectural illustrations. Recently I became heavily interested in pursuing my career as a CG Architect. I was familiar with some other 3D modeling programs (Maya Unlimited and Form Z) but had problems finding good 3ds Max books for architects, mainly because most 3ds max books focus on character creation and animation. I finally found this book and quickly became addicted to it. Great illustrations and detailed explainations guide you through the process of creating a diner. I definitely recommend it to any CG architects who are not familiar with 3ds max. If you’ve never used a 3D modeling program, however, this book might be a little difficult.

Great Book

I am teaching myself Max currently with version 4 and it is not and easy proggram to just use trial and error tactics to understand. As the title implies, this book is for fundamentals and a solid foundation in Max. This should be the first Max book anyone should purchase. It is undoubtedly one of the easiest 3d books to read and it is so easy to follow the step by step tutorials and the author (Ted Boardman) explains 3d concepts with real life analogies to bring things down to earth. It was a breeze going through the book and I had no problems at all. I have definitely learned a lot from it and I’m ready to move to more intermediate level stuff in a short period.
I would recomend it to anyone aspiring to understand the program more. Ted Boardman is a great teacher and any of his series of Max Fundamentals books (whatever version) should be the best way to start off.

Good book, but not for ABSOLUTE Beginners

As a relative newbie to 3ds max myself, I would recommend this as a great 2nd or 3rd book. It does a good job of introducing the basics of several fundamental techniques (e.g., lighting, basic modelling, etc) but it will not teach you how use the software itself. I would recommend starting on a lower level book, perhaps "3ds max 4 for Windows: Visual QuickStart Guide" before moving to this one.

Excellent for beginners

This book is exactly what it states on the cover, it is a tutorial of the fundamental elements of the very powerful 3ds Max 4 software.

Just moving from the programmer’s side of the computer to the artist’s side, I needed something that would show me how to create 3-dimensional objects using the basic 2d polygons, an essential to becoming a skilled user of any 3d software.

The author does a great job of walking the user through object creation from the basic rectangle or triangle to the finished product, complete with lights, cameras, animation, and texturing.

This book was exactly what I needed to get a start on 3-dimensional computer art. If you are also somewhat of a beginner to 3d design, I would strongly recommend this book. If you are intermediate to advanced, I may caution you that it probably would be restating a lot of what you already know, so try looking elsewhere.

ROX!

At first I was like this book will be like every other book..it will tell u click this click that press this and volia u made this...but instead it teachs u the basic and u can think up what ever u want...i got the book 6 hours ago...and im already makin simple 3d models...trust me...ifu ever though of getting into 3d modeling...this is for u!