Poly-Modeling with 3ds Max: Thinking Outside of the Box 1st Edition

I had one "aha" moment after another while going through the tutorials in this book. Sure, 3ds Max's help documentation explains every aspect of the program including it's large set of modeling tools, but it doesn't tell you when and where their usage is appropriate. The author demonstrates and reinforces how each tool works strategically within various modeling scenarios, whether industrial, organic, or some hybrid-type. Modeling has always been my weakest skill, something to be dreaded generally, and I was always impressed (frustrated actually) by the clean and economical lines of a well designed 3D model, but I never knew where to start or how to get there myself. Now that's changed!

This is a great learning tool for beginners or intermediates alike. The techniques described will save you a lot of wasted time and effort. The projects are interesting and every procedure is painstakingly illustrated and explained. You will get through this book pretty fast. This may not cover as much ground as some other books, but what it does cover it well worth learning and is perfectly explained. Leaves little room for error.

Poly-Modeling with 3ds Max has something for everyone be it a new person using Max or a more seasoned modeler. What I like most about this is the number of interesting and solid modeling exercises Todd presents. He starts off slow allowing you to build basic objects to get the feel for his technique. Please understand, this isn't a typical, out of the technical documentation tutorial. It is a lesson on how to maximize the modeling tools. It is Todd sharing his special insights into the process. I have been using Max for years, but never used some the tools he recommended. When I did, I was delighted and surprised how good the tools were. For tools I knew about, Todd shows you new and effective ways to get the best out of them.The key projects include making a motorcycle housing. This exercise provides a technical example of modeling. He then moves to a more natural, organic type by having you model an entire lizard. These were fun and effective tutorials. He provides a lot of pictures of each step in full color. The motorcycle was my least favorite because he doesn't complete the entire bike or provide reference materials so you can. The lizard is a different story. He provides reference materials and the tutorial provides enough info for you to complete the entire lizard.An added bonus, is the tutorials on ZBrush, Mudbox and Polyboost. I have used Mudbox and Polyboost before, but I learned something new when I tried the tutorials. I wanted more on Polyboost. I have never used ZBrush but found it a breeze to learn the basics after following Todd's tutorial. To me, the Zbrush tutorial was the best of these.This is a very good book about a specific, yet important, skill set. I do have some suggestions on what would make this book better. If Todd added videos on the modeling techniques, it would greatly enhance an already good book. The still pictures are really good, but sometimes seeing someone use the technique in an animated video just helps clarify how it would be done.I highly recommend this book however. I think anyone will learn something new and improve their modeling skills. Also, there is something here for everyone.

Modeling and animating are two of the most challenging tasks for users of 3D Studio MAX. I have used the program since its DOS inception, but one thing I never really learned well was modeling. Production companies like Industrial Light and Magic and Pixar employ specialists in areas of animation, modeling, lighting, and materials because these components of the 3D pipeline are each so vast and complex that few have managed to become experts in all areas. Most of the rest of us, however, need to be relatively proficient in all areas. Poly-Modeling is a relatively new modeling process in MAX and I had hoped to get a leg up on the learning process by reading this book. But I found that Daniele has a habit of skipping some key steps, apparently assuming that the reader either already knows how to manage the missing instruction, or else will consult with the MAX Help files--which I found myself doing on nearly every other page of his book. The language of the book is also not as clear and descriptive as it could be and I found myself re-reading paragraphs several times. Eventually, although there are some interesting tutorials and good information in the book, I decided I wasn't really saving any time and I was better off just going through the MAX Help file, which is a more step-by-step process.

This is the most useful, informative book on 3ds Max, I have read so far. Clear explanations. Useful tips on poly-modeling (how to eliminate tri gons, for example). But it is not for the beginner, you should be familiar with basis. I like that it is stated on the cover, too.And I like the language of the book, not the one of "windows for dummies", if you know what I mean.

Though it's starting to get dated this book is a great resource and project based book to show you the concepts of Poly modeling. I would recommend it even if your on a newer version of 3D Studio Max.

This OK book could have been much better had the publisher of the Kindle edition made a better effort to make the illustrations clear. The small details in the illustrations are unreadable even on a high resolution monitor. This makes following the tutorials a frustrating experience. Given the fact that this is a book on the digital graphic arts, this is inexcusable. Also, all of the links in the book are broken. I found the exercise files on the author's website but it seems that this would be an easy correction for the Kindle edition.

I was looking how to get on with poly-modelling quickly as i am not a 3d designer and this book help me quite a lot, teaching me the right path with a well balance progression.well done ,i like it.