Max book/video/- Reviews

[viga3d]

Well first off I have purchase many books and videos on 3D, not that there is one in particular that is good. It all depends on what your feel for modeling at the moment.
I have would totally not recomend for a beginer picking up a book and trying to learn a 3D program is kinda of fustrating. Especially
when you just see pictures and you try to figure out what is the next move. The X,Z,Y, Axis angle snap extrude the list can go on and on. If you want to learn 3D Max start here first you won't go
wrong.

Video: Character Modeling (Beyond the Basics Series)
This video gives a great depth into creating your own character
and shows you how to use the tools and explains why's and don't's. Once you see the video every thing will start to make
sense.

Video on Animating your Character ( Character Studio Advance Techniques) Now after youv'e now been practing making a character you want to animate it . This is another great source
on learning to make your chracter move. Get in great depth explaining how to attach your charter to a biped and make it walk
and shows you how to add other biped movements. *NOTE IF YOUR USING A PIRATE COPY OF THE CHARACTER STUDIO 2 THE BIPED WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TURN COMPLETELY AROUND.*
I say this to say that if buy this product when you try to turn your model around with the biped attach it won't move and I won't get
blame for recomending the video. It works with the registered
copy ( I had to learn the hardway LOL)

Now you wanna make your character talk Video :(Lyp Sync )
Like i keep saying this this video also has great depth in making your character talk from loading the sound file. morphing the expression. I Highly Recomend!!!!

You can get these videos @ www.stayanimated.com
they also have videos on
NURBS
Scripting
Special Effects

As Far as books Its all on what you want to do these videos will
give you a more confidence on buying books you want learn.

Now I just giving a review based off my experience.

Good Luck.

[Joel Hooks]

Those videos are for Max2.5 (the scripting one anyway) - I'd have to think they are a little bit too old for learning Max5.1...

[Signal2Noise]

I think one of the best books out there for max is "Mastering the Art of Production in 3ds max 4". This book covers pretty much everything in a single project that you work through from beginning to end. What really makes the book stand out is the chapter on using Combustion.

I'm still waiting for Combustion Ground Rules to get
released :bounce:

There's been other great books (I pretty much own them all) but there isn't much yet for ver. 5. However, I think any version of book will help in some way as the interface and CG mechanics may differ but the concepts are still the same. Use a good old book for reference with a newer version of the app. I have max 5.1 and I still use Inside Max 2 books for ideas or problem solving.

[phoenix2k]

jep, i've got the mastering t a o p too :)...
but my favourite is 3ds max 4 media animation...
i just loved that book...

[jadedchron]

thank you for your reviews so far. definitely appreciated :thumbsup:

[MayaV]

hi jadedchron

visit www.3dbuzz.com go to download section you will find free max video training magzines there currently they have 4 c.d. apart from max they have also for maya, xsi, combustion etc.

regards

Vivek

[Signal2Noise]

The two Media Animation books that Phoenix mentions are very good. They both have excellent projects in them for TV broadcast animations primarily for logo work. They are also great for lighting and camera effects.

I went down and checked my bookshelf and a couple of others stood out that should be in other max'ers libraries: The Workshop series by Duane Loose. Very informative, a fun project, and you end up with a nice piece of work in the end. The second book is a bit tougher as the author gives the outline of the project and leaves the majority of work up to the user to complete, sans tutorials. He does not hold your hand in this one.

[Jon_Pran]

I'll second the John Chismar Media Animation series. I am still working my way through the newer one, but it's the best 3D book I've bought. It's not for the beginner, but the explanations and detailing is second to none. Plus, you go through cool projects. Great stuff.

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