Mastering the art of production with 3ds max 4

Model and animate an alien, a remote control, and a rover vehicle! Through hands-on, step-by-step tutorials and directly relevant discussions, Mastering the Art of Production with 3ds max 4 entices readers to participate in the process of taking a full 30-second animated commercial for a realistic model company - Ion Z Batteries - from concept through to completion. Developing project requirements by reviewing storyboards and planning a live video shoot for 3D element integration is just the beginning! As they progress through this thoroughly engaging and fast-paced book, readers will also experiment with various styles of modeling and skinning techniques; gain expertise using IK controllers; develop user interfaces to simplify complicated animation techniques and implement MaxScript for further animation control; create and apply global illumination; use procedure maps and PhotoShop to generate textures for objects in the scene; apply proper rendering techniques; and complete post-production editing with Discreet's Combustion. Ideal for anyone with an interest in digital art, 3D modeling, or animation, this all-inclusive introduction to contemporary industry techniques is centered on producing a professional product for a client, takes optimal advantage of leading-edge 3ds max 4 tools and options to develop a seamless character setup, and is perfect for users of all abilities.

Author Notes

Jason Busby is the Director of Animation at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, TN
Michele Bousquet is the owner of Many Worlds Productions

Chapter 1 The Job
The Job	p. 2
The Story	p. 2
Job Specifications	p. 2
Paperwork	p. 2
Client Agreements	p. 2
The Schedule	p. 5
Bidding the Job	p. 7
Good Workflow and the Importance Thereof	p. 8
Preproduction	p. 9
Design Approval	p. 9
Sketches	p. 9
Scenery	p. 12
Storyboard	p. 13
Animatics	p. 17
Starting the Project	p. 17
Chapter 2 Modeling the Remote Control
Reference Images	p. 20
The Virtual Studio	p. 20
Practice Makes Perfect	p. 21
Tutorial 2.1 Virtual Studio for the Remote Control	p. 22
Box Modeling	p. 33
Sub-Objects	p. 33
The Anatomy of the Remote Control	p. 35
Tutorial 2.2 Remote Control Body	p. 36
The Joystick and its Base	p. 81
Tutorial 2.3 Joystick Assembly	p. 81
Finishing Touches	p. 89
Tutorial 2.4 Antenna and Hand Grip	p. 90
Chapter 3 Modeling the Alien
Editable Poly Features	p. 100
NURMS Subdivision	p. 100
Mesh Control at Sub-Object Levels	p. 101
Tutorial 3.1 Alien Torso	p. 102
Tutorial 3.2 Arms and Hands	p. 127
Tutorial 3.3 Legs and Feet	p. 144
Tutorial 3.4 Finishing the Model	p. 158
Chapter 4 Modeling the Rover
Splines	p. 162
Creating Splines	p. 162
Vertex Types	p. 162
The Surface Modifier	p. 165
The Anatomy of the Rover	p. 165
Tutorial 4.1 Creating the Spline Network	p. 166
Tutorial 4.2 Surfacing the Rover	p. 185
Tutorial 4.3 Creating the Wheels	p. 198
Tutorial 4.4 Creating the Reactor	p. 207
Tutorial 4.5 Creating the Track Assembly	p. 217
Tutorial 4.6 Finishing the Rover	p. 226
Chapter 5 Introduction to Maxscript
Understanding MAXScript	p. 240
Scripting Steps	p. 240
Accessing the MAXScript Options	p. 241
Writing a Script	p. 242
Tutorial 5.1 Basic Scripting Commands	p. 243
The MAXScript Listener Window	p. 244
MAXScript Syntax	p. 244
Variables	p. 245
Tutorial 5.2 Variables	p. 245
Arrays	p. 247
The Script Editor	p. 249
Tutorial 5.3 A First Script	p. 250
Functions	p. 253
Tutorial 5.4 Functions	p. 254
Arguments	p. 255
Tutorial 5.5 Arguments	p. 256
Program Flow	p. 257
The "If" Statement	p. 258
Loops	p. 258
User Interface Design	p. 260
Tutorial 5.6 Custom User Interface	p. 261
Tidy Programming Practices	p. 270
Chapter 6 Technical Setup for the Rover
Scripting	p. 272
The Rover Tracks	p. 272
Tutorial 6.1 Track Setup	p. 273
Motion Capture	p. 287
Controllers	p. 287
MoCap/Controller Setup for the Rover	p. 287
Designing the Control System for the Rover	p. 288
Tutorial 6.2 Motion Capture for the Rover	p. 289
MAXScripts to Control the Rover	p. 299
Improving Performance	p. 299
What Are We Scripting?	p. 300
Tutorial 6.3 Rover Control Scripts	p. 300
Creating a User Interface	p. 315
Position Reset	p. 315
Motion Capture Playback	p. 315
Scripts to the Rescue	p. 316
Tutorial 6.4 Rover Control User Interface	p. 317
Chapter 7 Skeletal Setup for the Alien
A Few Things You Should Know By Now	p. 330
Character Animation	p. 330
Character Rigs	p. 331
Tutorial 5.1 Alien Skeleton	p. 332
Alien Control System	p. 349
IK Solvers	p. 350
Point Helpers	p. 350
Tutorial 5.2 IK Solvers and Point Helpers	p. 350
Tutorial 5.3 Hand Control System	p. 364
Tutorial 5.4 Foot Control System	p. 373
Tutorial 5.5 Mirroring and Completing the Skeleton	p. 377
Chapter 8 Alien Skinning and Deformation Setup
Skinning	p. 390
The Basics Of Skinning	p. 390
Skinning the Alien	p. 392
Tutorial 8.1 A Skinning Primer	p. 393
Tutorial 8.2 Skinning the Alien	p. 399
Facial Expressions	p. 420
Morphing Basics	p. 420
Morphing with 3ds max	p. 421
Determining Facial Expressions	p. 421
Tutorial 8.3 Morph Target Setup	p. 423
Eye Controls	p. 429
Tutorial 8.4 Eye Control System	p. 429
Chapter 9 Alien Ui Control System
The User Interface	p. 434
Main Console	p. 434
Morph Targets	p. 434
Hand Controls	p. 435
Foot Controls	p. 435
Tutorial 9.1 Icons for User Interface	p. 436
Tutorial 9.2 Writing the User Interface	p. 443
Chapter 10 Camera Tracking
Camera Matching	p. 466
Choosing a Location	p. 466
Shooting the Location	p. 466
Matching the 3D Camera to the Live Footage	p. 467
Tracking the Camera	p. 467
Camera Matching Utilities	p. 467
Reference Points	p. 468
Placing Fixed Points	p. 468
Measuring Distances	p. 468
The Right Tools for the Job	p. 469
3D Scene Points	p. 470
Tutorial 10.1 CamPoint Setup	p. 470
Tutorial 10.2 Camera Tracking	p. 474
What to Do if the Camera Won't Track	p. 482
Chapter 11 Texturing and Lighting
Texturing	p. 484
Materials	p. 484
Maps	p. 485
The Material Editor	p. 485
Tutorial 11.1 Texturing the Alien	p. 486
Tutorial 11.2 Texturing the Rover	p. 494
The Battery Material	p. 514
Battery Textures	p. 514
Tutorial 11.3 Texturing the Battery	p. 515
Lighting	p. 523
Types of Lights	p. 523
Shadows	p. 525
3D Light Limitations	p. 526
The Set	p. 526
Global Illumination	p. 526
Tutorial 11.4 Lighting the Set	p. 526
Catching Shadows with Materials	p. 535
Tutorial 11.5 Shadows for the Ground	p. 535
Chapter 12 Animation and Rendering
Bringing Files Together	p. 542
Merging	p. 542
Cross Referencing	p. 542
Bringing our Scenes Together	p. 543
Tutorial 12.1 Putting Together the Final Scene File	p. 543
Time to Animate	p. 557
Storyboard Check	p. 557
Rover Animation	p. 557
Alien Animation	p. 557
Safe Frames	p. 558
Tutorial 12.2 Animating the Rover and Alien	p. 559
Rendering	p. 573
Rendering for Post production	p. 573
Video Post	p. 573
Tutorial 12.3 Rendering the Shots	p. 574
Chapter 13 Post Production with Combustion
Introduction to Combustion	p. 584
Combustion Files	p. 584
Operators	p. 585
Combustion User Interface	p. 586
Rendered 3ds max Files for Combustion	p. 589
Our RPF Files	p. 589
Dealing with Shadows	p. 590
Tutorial 13.1 Footage Import	p. 590
Contrast and Color Adjustment	p. 593
Contrast Adjustment	p. 593
Adjusting Colors	p. 593
Tutorial 13.2 Color Correction	p. 594
Combustion Tracking Techniques	p. 602
The Tracker	p. 602
Tutorial 13.3 Tracking the Selections	p. 604
Paint	p. 607
Tutorial 13.4 Painting the Footage	p. 609
Finishing the Job	p. 625
Picking Your Battles	p. 625
Delivering the Job	p. 625
Backing up the Job	p. 625
Our Version of the Animation	p. 626
Index	p. 627

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Author Notes

Table of Contents