Page 52 - Kitab3DsMax

Part I: Getting Started with 3ds Max

them, then you are ahead of the game. The book’s DVD includes a large number of models created by pro-
fessionals to get you started, including conveniently an allosaur dinosaur.
We also want the background and the ground plane for this scene. For the background, we use a Daylight
system, which not only gives us nice outdoor lighting but also a horizon effect that works for this scene. For
the ground plane, we use a flat plane object with a noise modifier applied to it to give it a random texture.
Because both of these scene elements are generated by Max, we don’t need to locate a background texture.
For the animation phase, we use a preset rig included with CAT that gives us the ability to animate the dino-
saur walking. The plan is to have the dinosaur walk toward the camera, stop and look, and then walk away.

Finally, for lighting, you want to use a lighting model that works well for outdoor scenes, and the Daylight
system works well.

On the DVD
After each of the following tutorials, I saved the scene file. You can find these files in the Quick Start directory on
the book’s DVD. n

Setting Up the Scene

This section on setting up is divided into several simple tutorials. The first step in the production is to pull
in all the models we need. Then we can position them where we need them with the spaceship initially off-
screen. We also want to position our camera in a good spot.
After the models are in place, we can create the ground plane, and then we’re ready to add some materials
and lights.

Tutorial: Gathering models
Your first step begins with the task of loading into a single scene all the models that we’re using. This also
involves scaling them so they are the right size relative to each other.
To load the models, follow these steps:

1. Reset the interface with the Application Button ➪ Reset menu command. Answer Yes in the warn-
ing box that appears.
2. Use the Application Button ➪ Open menu command, and locate the Dinosaur.max file from the
Quick Start directory on the DVD.
Note
This chapter uses Generic Units. You can change the units using the Units Setup dialog box, which you open using
the Customize ➪ Units Setup menu command. n
3. The dinosaur model is right in the middle of the scene and consists of several parts. We need to
combine all the parts into a single object in order for the dinosaur to move altogether. Click the
body to select it.
4. The body object is an Editable Poly object type, which you can see if you open the Modify panel.
Then click the small dialog box to the right of the Attach button in the Edit Geometry rollout. In
the Attach List that opens, select all objects and click the Attach button.

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