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Brummitt
24-07-2003, 07:21 AM
Hi everyone, im new here... Im also new in MAX and am trying to self teach myself a few bits before i go off to University to study computer animation, and i figured that if i learn the software a little, before i go, it will give me a head start.

My question is this: What is the best way to self teach myself some bits? Ive bought an expensive book on MAX which is more of a reference book really, but it seems to explain every last option MAX has to offer, and i have completed some tutorials on the internet, but i find that doing internet tutorials dont really help a lot, because although its nice to model and texture a car's wheel, or model a robot using primitive shapes, i find that i am left without confidence to go away and create something by myself. I need a detailed tutorial to learn how to create a WHOLE SCENE that will start from the modelling phase, and carry all the way through to rendering. A lot of tutorials just assume you can reproduce what the author has already done, and due to my lack of confidence, i really cant.

So can anybody point me in the right direction to where you found usefull when you started out using MAX.

Thanks alot!
Mat...

P.S - i know my way around MAX, and how to create primitive shapes, change their sizes, convert to editable mesh/poly, extrude and bevel, create lights/cameras.... and maybe some more, but not much.

Jenn
25-07-2003, 02:41 PM
Everyone learns at a different pace. I don't know of any tutorials that are truely step by step on how to create a complete scene. My suggestion would be for you to either sit down with a sketch pad and draw some ideas for a scene or find a photograph to try and duplicate in 3d.

This isn't a race. You don't need to create a flawless scene the first time you try. The important thing is that you retain what you learn and therefore are able to apply that new knowledge to the next project you work on.

Just focus on each area as you come to it. Here is how I see the steps:

1. design a scene, character, object ...basically find a concept for your new project.

2. model all the items necessary

3. texture objects

4. light scene

Just take your time! Tutorials are great but you will learn more by doing your own thing.