3DS MAX Modeling for Games: The Core Concepts

What is 3ds Max?

3ds Max is one of the state of the art tools for game design, animation, architectural visualization, and industrial design. This course is the beginner’s starting point to learn about the art of 3D computer game design, with a specific focus on low-polygon modeling. In this course you will learn how to model and UV map low-poly assets for computer games. The course takes you through the process—using 3ds Max—of modeling a low-poly asset for use in a game engine. The trainer starts by providing an overview of tools and options to get you ready to set up a scene. Then he dives into the building and creation process, which includes shaping and using guide objects. Once the forms are established, he demonstrates how to detail, refine, and unwrap the finished model. He concludes the course by showing how to export the model and bake normal maps to get it.

This beginner-level course helps you with understanding the whole workflow of modeling objects and characters for 3D computer game design. This course will help you start creating 3D models, and work as a 3D artist in the increasingly expanding game industry. You will also learn how to use the Internet as a platform to sell your 3D models. This training course is designed for users with no or little experience in 3ds Max and teaches students the 3ds Max tools essential for creating 3D Low-poly models of objects and characters. In this training course, the trainer covers every major component of the 3D modeling process, from modeling to production, with special emphasis on tools that provide users the greatest efficiency in producing great results. This class avoids advanced topics such as Mental Ray renderer, reactor, space warps, etc. to allow more time to be devoted to those areas of the program which serve as the foundation of most modeling projects. Students will learn countless tips and tricks that maximize productivity and efficiency that normally takes many years in a production environment to learn.

Module One: Understanding the 3DS MAX User Interface

• Getting Started
• Navigating the 3ds Max Interface
• Add Objects to the Scene (standard & extended primitives)
• Transforms
• Quad Menus
• Understanding the Modifier Stack
• Manipulate Viewports with viewport controls
• Viewport Right-Click Menu

Module Two: Modeling a Game Asset/Object (Poly-Modeling Basics)

• An Introduction to Different Modeling Types/Techniques
• Box Modeling: The Basics
• Modeling a Low-poly vehicle
• Poly-modeling
• Object Cloning
• Object and Scene Organization
• Managing Project Folders

Module Three: Modeling a 3D Character

• Character Design
• Poly-Modeling: The Basics
• Adding Image References
• Modeling the Character

Module Four: Adding Textures to the Vehicle

• Working with the Material Editor
• Standard Material
• Shaders Parameters
• Basic Parameters
• Understanding Maps
• Adding Materials to Objects
• Understanding Bitmap Texture Maps
• Understanding Mapping Coordinates
• UVW Map

Module Five: Unwrapping the Character

• Understanding Unwrap UVW Modifier
• Unwrapping the Character
• Designing the Texture
• Assigning the Texture to the Model

Module Six: Rigging

• Introduction to Rigging
• Biped
• The Body Rig
• The Head Rig

Module Seven (Optional): The Next Steps

• MotionBuider
• TurboSquid and online marketing
• How to learn more

Sven J Norris received his BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff in 2000 and completed his Masters in Computer Arts at
Thames Valley University (now University of West London) in 2002. He has worked as a freelancer, contractor and full-time employee in industry within the fields of new media, designing and development where he created screen-based experiences and content for companies and agencies including Arc Worldwide, Leo
Burnett Group, Reuters, McKinsey & Co, and Tidal Wave in England. Sven spent 7 years as Assistant Professor of Interactive Media Nanyang Technological University’s School of Art, Design & Media (ADM) in Singapore and was the area coordinator for Interactive Media for some of this period.

Most recently, he has founded an independent design studio Vithereal Pte. Ltd. focusing on 3D Visualization, Product Design and Web Development while
continuing to teach as an Adjunct Lecturer at the above-mentioned ADM in Singapore as well as a degree program in NTU’s Electronic Engineering faculty.
He teaches and practices in the areas of:

• Web Development
• Game Design
• User Interface Design
• 3D Visualization
• Product Design