3ds Max Course

Lesson 1 • Workspace Layout and Panels

Covers the main menu, toolbars, command panel, and viewport arrangement. Establishes spatial awareness of where every tool lives within the interface.

Lesson 2 • Scene Explorer and Object Selection

Introduces the Scene Explorer hierarchy panel and selection methods for objects. Connects object management skills to efficient scene organisation.

Lesson 3 • Units, Grids, and Snapping

Configures measurement units, grid spacing, and snap settings for precise modelling. Accurate setup here prevents scaling errors in all subsequent work.

Lesson 4 • File Management and Project Setup

Covers saving, merging, importing, and organising project asset folders. Proper file hygiene ensures portability and team collaboration from the start.

Lesson 1 • Move, Rotate, and Scale Tools

Teaches axis-constrained transforms using the gizmo and numeric input fields. Precision transforms are the foundation of all modelling and scene assembly.

Lesson 2 • Standard and Extended Primitives

Explores all built-in primitive types and their creation parameters. Provides the geometric vocabulary needed for rapid scene blocking.

Lesson 3 • Object Alignment and Distribution

Uses the Align tool and spacing tools to position objects relative to each other. Builds skills for constructing structured, symmetrical scene layouts.

Lesson 1 • Sweep and Renderable Splines

Uses the Sweep modifier and renderable spline settings for quick profile-based geometry. Complements lofting for architectural trim and cable modelling.

Lesson 2 • Extrude and Bevel Modifiers

Converts closed splines into 3D geometry using Extrude and Bevel modifiers. These modifiers are the fastest path from 2D drawings to solid objects.

Lesson 3 • Lathe Modifier for Revolved Shapes

Revolves a profile spline around an axis to create symmetrical 3D forms. Ideal for vases, columns, and any rotationally symmetric object.

Lesson 4 • Loft Compound Object Workflow

Sweeps one or more cross-section shapes along a path spline to build complex geometry. Lofting enables pipes, roads, mouldings, and freeform tubular structures.

Lesson 1 • Converting to Editable Poly

Explains conversion methods and the five sub-object levels of Editable Poly. This is the gateway to all direct mesh editing in 3ds Max.

Lesson 2 • Vertex and Edge Editing Tools

Covers Weld, Target Weld, Connect, Chamfer, and Loop selection at vertex and edge levels. Clean edge flow starts with mastery of these fundamental operations.

Lesson 3 • Polygon Editing Operations

Applies Extrude, Inset, Bevel, and Bridge at the polygon level to build surface detail. These operations are the core sculpting verbs of hard-surface modelling.

Lesson 4 • Symmetry and ProBoolean Modelling

Uses the Symmetry modifier and ProBoolean compound object to accelerate modelling. Symmetry halves modelling time; Boolean operations cut, join, and intersect geometry.

Lesson 1 • Physical Material and PBR Workflow

Configures the Physical Material shader with base colour, roughness, metalness, and IOR. PBR workflow ensures materials look correct across all lighting conditions.

Lesson 2 • Slate Material Editor Overview

Navigates the node-based Slate editor to create, connect, and assign materials. Node-based thinking here prepares students for advanced shader networks.

Lesson 3 • UV Unwrapping with Unwrap UVW

Applies the Unwrap UVW modifier to flatten mesh surfaces for accurate texture projection. Proper UV layout eliminates stretching and seam artifacts on rendered surfaces.

Lesson 4 • Bitmap Textures and Map Channels

Loads bitmap images into diffuse, bump, normal, and specular map slots. Correct map channel assignment is critical for realistic surface detail.

Lesson 1 • HDRI Environment Lighting

Uses high-dynamic-range images as environment maps for image-based lighting. HDRI provides realistic ambient light and reflections with minimal setup.

Lesson 2 • Shadow Types and Light Linking

Compares ray-traced, area, and shadow-map shadows and configures light-to-object linking. Shadow quality and selective illumination define scene mood and realism.

Lesson 3 • 3ds Max Light Types Overview

Surveys standard, photometric, and Arnold light types and their real-world equivalents. Choosing the right light type is the first decision in any lighting setup.

Lesson 4 • Physical Sun and Sky System

Configures the Physical Sun and Sky environment for accurate daylight simulation. Sun angle, turbidity, and sky model settings drive exterior lighting realism.

Lesson 1 • Render Setup and Output Settings

Configures output resolution, frame range, file format, and render engine selection. Correct output settings prevent costly re-renders and format incompatibilities.

Lesson 2 • Render Elements and AOV Passes

Outputs separate beauty, diffuse, specular, shadow, and Z-depth passes for compositing. Multi-pass rendering gives compositors full control over the final image.

Lesson 3 • V-Ray Core Settings and GI

Configures V-Ray image sampler, global illumination engines, and light cache. GI settings determine indirect light accuracy and render speed trade-offs.

Lesson 4 • Arnold Renderer Core Settings

Tunes Arnold sampling, ray depth, and denoising for noise-free production renders. Understanding sampling is the key to balancing quality and render time.

Lesson 1 • Curve Editor and Motion Control

Edits animation curves in the Curve Editor to control easing, overshoot, and timing. Curve editing transforms mechanical motion into natural, believable movement.

Lesson 2 • Inverse Kinematics Setup

Configures HI and HD IK solvers on limb chains for goal-driven animation. IK allows animators to pose extremities naturally without rotating every joint manually.

Lesson 3 • Morph Targets and Facial Animation

Uses the Morpher modifier to blend between mesh shapes for facial expressions and deformations. Morph targets are the standard technique for lip sync and expression animation.

Lesson 4 • Bones and Skin Modifier

Creates a bone hierarchy and binds mesh geometry using the Skin modifier with envelope weighting. Skin binding is the foundation of all character deformation rigs.

Lesson 5 • Constraints and Controllers

Applies Path, LookAt, and Attachment constraints to automate object motion. Constraints reduce manual keyframing and enforce spatial relationships between objects.