3ds Max - Material Instances

Solution to an issue with Instancing Materials in MAX 2010.

Meet Up at Autodesk University

Autodesk University is coming up (December 1 - 3 in Las Vegas) and I will be all over the place!

I will be teaching two classes, one that will show anyone interested in parametric design the powerful new Conceptual Design Tools in Revit Architecture 2010 (Class ID: DV9210-2) and another on Parametric Design Modeling with Autodesk 3ds Max (Class ID: AB114-4). I will also be presenting at the Pecha Kucha event - a fast-paced visual conversation where a diverse group of creative thinkers show 20 compelling images for 20 seconds each - and will be a judge at the Cut&Paste Design Slam.

If you’d like too meet up and grab a drink or some dinner please shoot me an email at d.fano@case-inc.com. Hope to see you at AU!

Wired Sliders - 3ds MAX

This video focuses on the use of sliders with wire parameters. The tool is demonstrated by using a former demo of the relax modifier but rebuilding to function without sub-object manipulation.

CASE’s Autodesk Curriculum has been published online!

CASE recently wrote a Conceptual Design Curriculum for Autodesk, discussing concepts, techniques and strategies most beneficial to users for creating conceptual designs using such platforms as 3DS Max, Maya, and Revit. This curriculum is now available to download from Autodesk’s website.

SketchUp 7 - Tools, Plugins, and Scripts similar to Rhino, Max, Maya, and Revit

Highlights of SketchUp - This post contains links to several useful videos on SketchUp7’s new tools as well as some interesting plug-ins. Several of these plug-ins and scripts offer tools similar to those in Revit, 3ds MAX, and Maya.

Sending Curves from 3ds Max to Rhino

In this 3ds Max/Rhino video we will explore the workflow of exporting/importing geometry in and out of 3ds Max and Rhino. This goal of this exercise is to study the functionality of one software platform versus another, understanding what tools are useful in each program.

3ds Max - Wire Parameters

This is a simple tutorial covering the basics of how to set up and use wire parameters as well as use expression controllers in 3ds Max.

3ds Max - Parametric Walkway

Tutorial explaining how to make copies, references and then using modifiers to store modeling procedures.

3ds Max - Working with Subdivision Surfaces Part 1 (MeshSmooth)

This is the first part in a series of 3 videos that will explain how sub division surfaces can be used to model some of the complex architectural geometries that have been used in recent iconic works.

3ds Max Tutorial - Modeling a Hexagon Screen

This 3ds Max video tutorial covers how to model a parametric screen constructed from hexagons. This technique is pretty straight forward. We start with a 6 sided nGon then uses a series of modifiers to create the lattice work.

Autodesk University Design Slam and Video of How I Built the Bridge

So….. I was invited to participate in the first ever AU Design Slam competition. And…… I won I went up against 2 incredibly talented designers Mark Foster Gage and James O’Toole of Burt Hill Architects.

3ds Max - Intro to Animation

This is an introduction to 3d animation in 3ds max.

3ds Max - Hidden Line Rendering with Illustrate Plugin

In this 3ds Max video tutorial we cover how to render and save out vector data with the David Gould’s amazing Illustrate Plug In.

3ds Max - Snapping and Moving with Dimensions

This is a response to a question on the forum. The basics of the question were 1. How do i snap in 3ds Max and 2. how can one move things dimensionally. This 3ds Max video tutorials explains both. I also cover angle snaps and axis constraints.

3ds Max - Sketch Modeling the Beijing Olympic Stadium by Herzog & de Meuron

I’m going to start this post by saying this is not something I will do regularly but i was compelled in this case to give it a shot . A user on the forum (This was the first post on the new forum) asked how they might model the new Beijing Stadium by Herzog de Meuron in 3ds Max. The technique shown is meant to be a design modeling technique.

3ds Max - Delete Mesh Modifier

The Delete Mesh modifier works well for removing geometry without having to delete. I often use the delete mesh modifier in conjunction with the Edit Poly Modifier or Mesh Select Modifier.

3ds Max - Bend Modifier

So…. I do not have to much to say about the bend modifier. It pretty much bends geometry. I tend to use it when i need to model organic object and need to deform and area of a model in a very particular way. Once you get into the sub-objects it’s a pretty handy modifier.

3ds Max - Sub Objects Part 03 (Editable Mesh - Vertex Level)

This is the third part of a series in which I will try and go through all the operations that can be done at the sub-object level of the various geometry types in 3ds Max. This 3ds Max Video Tutorial goes over the majority of the procedures that can be done at the vertex level of an editable Mesh. All of the example are simplified to show the fundamentals of each command.

3ds Max - Surface Modifier

Since I model with splines I tend to use the surface modifier often. This modifier is also useful when importing splines from other CAD applications such as Rhino or Autocad. Working with clean curves then applying a surface give you more control as well as cleaner geometry.

3ds Max - Cross Section Modifier

The CrossSection modifier creates a “skin” across multiple splines. It works by connecting the vertices of 3D splines to form a skin. The resulting object is another spline object that can be used with the Surface modifier to create a patch surface. These two modifiers, when used together, are sometimes referred to collectively as “Surface Tools.”

3ds Max - Sub Objects Part 02 (Editable Splines - Segments and Splines)

This is second part of a series in which i will try and go through all the operations that can be done at the sub-object levels of the various geometry types in 3ds Max. This 3ds Max Video Tutorial goes over the majority of the procedures that can be done at the segment and splinie level of an editable spline. All of the examples are simplified to show the fundamentals of each command.

3ds Max Shell Modifier

In this 3ds Max video tutorial we cover the Shell modifier, one of my favorite 3ds Max Modifiers, especially for architectural modeling. I do the majority of my 3d modeling with splines, and the shell modifier is a perfect compliment. I begin with splines then apply an extrude to build working surfaces that I can then apply modeling operations on such as cutting out windows or doorway. Then, once the Shell is applied all the edges clean up really well. Another aspect of the Shell Modifier that i use often is the ability to select full areas of the new geometry such as “edged” or “outer faces” this is very useful in conjunction with a modifier like Delete Mesh.

3ds Max - Sub Objects Part 01 (Splines - Vertex)

This Autodesk 3ds Max Video Tutorial goes over the majority of the procedures that can be done at the vertex level of an editable spline. All of the examples are simplified to show the fundamentals of each command.

3ds Max Lattice Modifier

The Lattice modifier converts the segments or edges of a shape or object into cylindrical struts with optional joint polyhedra at the vertices.

3ds Max Mirror Modifier

The Mirror modifier provides a parametric method of mirroring an object or a sub-object selection. You can apply the Mirror modifier to any type of geometry, and you can animate the mirror effect by animating the modifier’s gizmo.

3ds Max Modifier - Face Extrude

The Face Extrude modifier extrudes faces along their normals, creating new faces along the sides of the extrusion that connect the extruded faces to their object. As with most modifiers, this affects the current face selection passed up the stack. There are various differences between the Face Extrude modifier and the Face Extrude function in an editable mesh, especially the fact that all parameters in the Face Extrude modifier are animatable.

3ds Max Modifiers - Patch Deform

Patch Deform is a great tool for mapping geometry on a surface or the distribution of component on a surface. The only catch is that the distribution geometry has to come from a surface originally made as a Patch. In the video explain some of the work arounds for using the modifier on multiple objects as well as moving your deformed geometry to the distribution object.

3ds Max - Neil Blevins’ SoulBurn Scripts Install

In this 3ds Max video Tutorial I explain the best way to install Neil Blevins’ SoulBurn Script Library in 3ds Max. By Using maxScript you can greatly increase you capabilities within 3ds Max. This particular library has plenty of great scripts that will change how you use 3ds Max.

3ds Max Modifiers - Displace

Displace is often used to make terrains or to add finer texture to 3d models with out having to model in extra texture. What I have found is that it can also be used in a very controlled way to manipulate geometries. With the use of procedural texture maps or bitmaps one can can make large scale manipulation to geometry with minimal effort. I tend to use this techniques if I need to quickly iterate design options on a facade.

3ds Max Tutorial - Wire Parameters

Using wire parameters and expression controllers we will make a panel that opens and closes based on the distance of a point.

3ds Max Modifiers - Cap Holes

Cap Holes is a great modifier for modeling as well as making images. One way I use it often is in conjunction with a slice modifier, it’s a good way to do section perspective renderings or drawings.

3ds Max Modifier - Affect Region

The Affect Region modifier is a surface modeling tool, primarily used with vertex sub-object selections while surface modeling. With Affect Region, transforming a selection of vertices can also transform vertices in the region that surrounds the selection. This can help you form a bubble or indentation in the surface of an object.

3ds Max Modifiers - Bevel

The Bevel modifier extrudes shapes into 3D objects and applies a flat or round bevel to the edges. A common use for this modifier is to create 3D text and logos, but you can apply it to any shape.

Shox Matrix for Tronic

This is the fist personal project I post on this site. I’ve been really weary of doing this since this site really is not about personal promotion. But i figure if I’m showing all these techniques folks shoudl be able to see how they are applied. So i think my strategy for [...]

3ds Max - Hexagons with Classic Mesh Smooth

This Tutorial covers how to turn your mesh into Hexagon poly’s. This is a technique I learned from Toru Hasegawa while we were in school together at the GSAPP. You essentially triangulate a quad poly surface then collapse the triangles to have hexagons.

Poly Boost

For anyone that has not used this plugin before you HAVE to check this out. I tend to abuse 3ds Max pretty well but this plugin really advances the modeling capabilities of 3ds Max. Also if you find your self saying “I wish max could do this,” PolyBoost probably has it.

3ds Max - Look at Constraint - Animated Panels

In this tutorial we cover how to use a look at constraint. This could be done more rigorously with expression but to quickly test an effect I think it is a great technique.

3ds Max Modifiers - Volume Selection

This Tutorial covers how to use proxy objects to keep an active selection set.

Autodesk Launches 3ds Max 2009 Entertainment Software and Introduces 3ds Max Design 2009 for Design Professionals

Autodesk announced the new version(s) of 3ds Max today. Check out the press release with the link below.
3ds Max Press Release

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3ds Max - Spline Tower

Using modifiers such as Cross Section, Skin, Shell and Spline IK we build a spline based systen that uses reference geometry to build parametric relationships.