3D Studio Max is a software tool that allows digital artists to create animations. Using 3D Studio Max, you can handle any stage of animation creation, from the creation of a model of any object imaginable, to moving that model through a scene. In the process you can apply a variety of textures along with complex lighting to the model for a more realistic look.
1 ) Create a storyboard of your animation idea. Using a series of boxes on a piece of paper, draw out key moments in your animation. Include the models used in the animation, such as the people and objects, also include the activity that takes place during your animation.
2 ) Create the models for use in your animation using the modeling tools included in 3D Studio Max.
3 ) Use box modeling. Pick a view window in the program, such as the "Top" view by right-clicking on the window. Select the tab to the right of the windows that has a ball on it to open the "Standard Primitives" panel. Click on the box marked "Box," and then draw a box in your view window by clicking within the window and dragging the mouse to the desired shape. Right-click on the box to open the modify menu. Select "polygons" in the new menu to change the box into multiple movable points. Select a point using your mouse and move it in any direction to alter the shape of the box. Repeat the process using any shape to create complex models (Free 3D Max Models).
4 ) Apply a material to your 3d models to add color and texture. Materials are textures of objects such as bricks, gold, or chrome that you place on the surface of a model to create a skin on the model that makes the model appear to be made of that material. Click on the "Renderer" menu at the top of the program and then scroll down and select "Material Editor" to open the Material Editor window. Click the tab in the editor marked "Standard" to select one of the standard 3D Studio Max materials. Select a material from the "Templates" tab. Click on the sphere in the Material Editor which has changed color to your selected material color and then click on the model in the viewport. Select "Assign to 3d Objects" to apply the material to your model.
5 ) Apply a simple light to your scene by clicking on the tab to the right that looks like a lamp. Select "Target Direct" and
click on an area of your view port to place the light. Select the light direction by moving the mouse in the direction where
you want the light to shine and then click the mouse to place the light.
6 ) Animate your scene by clicking the right arrow in the frame counter showing 0/100 on the bottom of your view ports to
advance the animation one frame. Move your model slightly in any direction to provide animation. Repeat this process of
advancing and moving the model to create a continuous animation. Press the play button on the bottom of the program screen to play through the animation to look for adjustment needs.
7 ) Render the scene to create a file of the scene you built in the earlier stages. Select the "Rendering" menu from the top of the screen and then scroll down and select the "Render" option to open the Render Scene" toolbox. Select the "Render" button at the bottom to create a window containing your finished scene. Save your scene by selecting the "File" menu and then scroll down and select "Save".