3ds max 4 Workshop is very appealing in a number of ways. For one, the entire book is primarily focused on creating a single film, starting with sketching out ideas on paper to create the final end credits. Also, the inside front and back covers of the book include a handy list of keyboard shortcuts and a two-page tear-out examines the interface and defines every icon and palette.

While the book opens with the usual examination and explanation of the interface, the remainder breaks from the pack and introduces the toolset on an as-needed basis. The goal of the book is to create a sci-fi short film while teaching the hows and whys of the max 4 toolset. This philosophy works very well, introducing tools based on need rather than just for the sake of the tool and an ample number of screen shots clarify all instructions.

Over the course of the book’s nine chapters, just about every major tool is used, from the various ways of modelling to adding surface detail to setting up bones and using kinematics for animation, through final rendering and compositing using Video Post.

3ds max 4 Workshop is not a handbook or reference but more of a series of tutorials. This style of book makes a fine companion to the program’s manuals and other 3ds max reference books as it describes tools and techniques in a more in-context light. Designed for new max users, the book goes out of its way to use features new to 3ds max 4, which are noted with an icon throughout the book. The sketch-to-final render examples are priceless and the easy-going style of the text makes working through the chapters a breeze. Mike Caputo

The book teaches skills and techniques in a way that not only provides an understanding of MAX X and its functionality but also how to apply those tools to a normal work environment by using a single, comprehensive project. Each chapter contains a section that provides an explanation of the tools, features and techniques being used, some sample exercises for reinforcement, and some of the artistic insight behind the process. The chapter concludes with the "workshop" section, which walks the reader through a series of step-by-step tutorials that culminate into a final, working project by the end of the book.

The tear card, color section, tips, notes and sidebars are filled with expert advice and supplemental information and together with the chapter material provide the reader with an invaluable resource that they can return to time and again.

Excellence...

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?

Excellence...

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?

JUST AWESOME!!

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

Just Awesome..

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

Good background to 3ds max but lots of errors

This book provides a lot of useful info for learning 3DS MAX 4 but while reading it I felt that the book was only explaining to me how to use 3DS MAX 4 for the purpose of modeling the 6 scene short film in the book. There are also many typos in the book and I find that for people learning to use 3DS it is hard to follow the authors instructions.

Good background to 3ds max but lots of errors

This book provides a lot of useful info for learning 3DS MAX 4 but while reading it I felt that the book was only explaining to me how to use 3DS MAX 4 for the purpose of modeling the 6 scene short film in the book. There are also many typos in the book and I find that for people learning to use 3DS it is hard to follow the authors instructions.

3DS max for the beginner

What this book lacks for the advance max user, it more than compensates for the begining user. The layout of the book is based on the completion of a single production, outlining pre-production, storyboarding, modeling, texturing, rendering and post-production along the way. Duane Loose does an excellent job of not only explaining the animation process involved with using 3DS Max but also takes the time to explain the why, the story. After all if a picture is worth a thousand words at 30fps that adds up to a lot of words really fast.

3DS max for the beginner

What this book lacks for the advance max user, it more than compensates for the begining user. The layout of the book is based on the completion of a single production, outlining pre-production, storyboarding, modeling, texturing, rendering and post-production along the way. Duane Loose does an excellent job of not only explaining the animation process involved with using 3DS Max but also takes the time to explain the why, the story. After all if a picture is worth a thousand words at 30fps that adds up to a lot of words really fast.