About this course

3ds Max is a 3D computer graphics application for 3D modelling, animations, and rendering. With its efficient system design, powerful polygon modeling functionality, and the support of many plug-ins, 3ds Max is recognized by many scholars as an easy-to-learn, easy-to-use, and powerful 3D software for game production, virtual reality, interior design, animation and film, with a  wide user base in these industries.

In this tutorial, we collected the most common best practices and techniques in 3ds Max. We hope that it will improve your 3dsMax learning experience, by showing you how to approach common problems, and will better prepare you for subsequent studies.

• Chapter 1 shows you the basic operations in 3ds Max, focusing on how to control objects.

• Chapter 2 introduces three modeling techniques to help you ace simple modeling.

• Chapter 3 helps you to understand the characteristics of light, choose proper lighting parameters, and render out your works.

• Chapter 4 talks about the materials, and how to achieve desired textures for your models.

• Chapter 5 shows you how to control keyframes and produce some simple animation effects.

• Chapter 6 talks about other applications that allow you to easily make virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) works.

• Chapter 7 is an introduction to BPR by experts.

Faculty Author

Li Hongjiang , Associate Professor in Department of Art Design of City College, Kunming University of Science and Technology

Li Hongjiang is the principal of Fast Understand of 3ds Max  MOOC, the Deputy Director of the Art Design Department of the City College of Kunming University of Science and Technology. He is a member of the China Academy of Film and Fine Arts, a member of the Yunnan Artists Association, and an Autodesk certified lecturer. He is engaged in teaching and research of 3D animation and virtual reality and his main lectures include "Basics of 3D Design", "Post-production and Special Effects of Film and Television" and other undergraduate professional courses. He has Published the monograph Fast Understand of 3ds Max. His works have been included in Ballisticpublishing publishing agency "EXOTIQUE5", Spectacle New Media Art Exhibition, and The 5th Yunnan Young Artist Nomination Exhibition.

Yang Xueguo, Associate Professor,master tutor in Department of Animation and Digital Media of Art Design College of Yunnan Art Institute

Yang Xueguo is the Director of the Animation and Digital Media Department Art Design College of Yunnan Art Institute; an internationally renowned CG artist and curator; Deputy Director of the CG Art Committee of the China Academy of Film and Fine Arts & Senior Researcher of CCAC China CG Art Research Institute; the Director of Professional Committee in Animation and Digital Media Art of the Film and Television Society of Chinese Higher Education Institutions ; the judge of China CGDC (ChinaJoy) Gamer Production Contest; the Deputy Director of Yunnan Artists Association Art Design Sub-Committee; Secretary-General of Yunnan Animation and Digital Media Teaching Steering Committee;and the developer of the most popular Blur's good brush painting tool. He engaged in educational research and commercial cooperation in the fields of CG painting, 3D animation, game art, VR / AR, commercial design, ethnic art, etc. He has published monographs The Skill of Spreading the Wonderful Rhythm of Life-Yunnan National Craftsmanship, The Art of 3dsMax Advanced Program Stickers 1-3, The Ultimate CG Illustration Technique of Photoshop-Blur's Good Brush Extreme Speed Manual, Unlocking CG Thinking. Dozens of his CG works have been published in major CG art magazines and websites at home and abroad. Many of his works were selected into international authoritative CG atlases and contests, such as Expose, Exotioue, Spectrum, Digital Painter, CG Overdrive, Biomech Art, 2d Artist, Illustration Circle, Symbiosis, Musical Arts, etc. He has won the Expose7 Master Award, CG Overdrive Competition Excellence Award, etc. in succession.

Wang Deyan , Associate Professor in Department of Art Design of City College, Kunming University of Science and Technology

Wang Deyanis the Deputy Director of Art Design Department of City College of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Autodesk Certified Lecturer. She engaged in the teaching and research of 3D design, virtual reality and augmented reality. Her main lectures include 3D design foundation, interaction design foundation, project production and practice. She published the paper “Automatic Control Mechanism for Grinding Process Based on KingView and PLC System", which was included by EI. She also participated in the project of “Digital Research on the Cultural Characteristics of Typical Folk Dwellings of Ethnic Minorities-Taking Yunnan Qiang Ethnic Group Wells  as an example".

Wang Yu , lecturer in Department of Art Design, School of Art, Dianchi College of Yunnan University

Wang Yu is the teacher of the School of Art, Dianchi College of Yunnan University. He is also the person in charge of animation majors. He engaged in teaching and research of animation.His main lectures include 3D animation, film and television post-production courses. As the editor-in-chief, he edited textbook of 3ds Max Animation Production, After Effects Movie and TV Special Effects Actual Combat Tutorial. As the deputy editor-in-chief, he edited textbook of Animation Audiovisual Language.

Cheng Yuan, Associate Professor in Department of Art Design of City College, Kunming University of Science and Technology

Cheng Yuan is the teacher of Faculty of Art Design of city college of Kunming university of science and technology.He engaged in the teaching and research of environmental design. His main lectures include computer effect drawing techniques,computer aided environmental design and other courses.He is the interior designer of Kunming purple apple decoration company in 2004-2005; the technical director of Kunming Shengcetonghui design company in 2005-2010; and he participated in the creation of promotional videos for Kunming New Asia sportscity, Shangdong city,harmony century and other real estate projects; In 2013,he took charge of the production of kungang real estate enterprise image publicity video. In 2017,he presided over the project of “Jingxi Splendid Ancient Town in Guangxi" real estate image 3d animation promotional video.

Yang kai,lecturer in Department of Art and Design, City College of Kunming university of science and technology

Yang kai is the teacher in Department of Art and Design of City College of Kunming university of science and technology, Autodesk certified lecturer,national animationand game talent training project certified teacher.He engaged in film and television production,3d animation teaching and research.His main lectures include digital graphic design,perspective principles and other courses.1998-2001, as film and television production supervisor,he worked in Kunming Tianwei advertising company. In 2002-2003,he worked in Beijing hualong film digital company as an animation design.From 2004 to 2005,he was responsible for the travel animation of new projects in the high-tech development zone,the travel animation of Kunming international printing and packaging city,the architectural animation of longwangjing real estate project,the animation of mannongfeng real estate project,the animation of huidu international architectural and other projects.

Zhu Minjia, Associate Professor in Department of Art Design, School of Art, Dianchi College of Yunnan University

Zhu Minjia is the teacher of the School of Art, Dianchi College of Yunnan University. She is also the person who in charge of painting major.She engaged in basic teaching and research in design. Her main courses include color, sketch, composition and art history course. She published the book Basic Sketch Course,which exceeded 30,000 in total sales .

Which web browser should I use?

• The Open edX platform is best suited for the current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari.

Where can I download the 3ds Max software?

• https://www.autodesk.com.cn

• https://www.autodesk.com.cn/products/3ds-max/free-trial