CADLearning for

Autodesk
3ds Max 2013

Course Description
Course Details
} 15 hours of training
} 253 video tutorials
} Exercise files included
} Instructor: Steven Schain

CADLearning for Autodesk 3ds Max 2013 helps you get

started with tools for 3D modeling, animation, rendering,
compositing and pre-production planning. Youll learn how to
apply materials and light scenes, animate cameras and objects,
assemble short sequences, and avoid long render times.

About CADLearning

Lesson Outline q

The CADLearning brand

delivers comprehensive, selfpaced learning products
and solutions for architecture,
engineering and 3D design
software from Autodesk. Our
learning is created by experts
and can be used as a selfpaced course, an ongoing
resource or a help tool.
Developed by 4D Technologies,
LLC, CADLearning solutions
include video tutorials, exercise
files and assessments and are
available via online subscription
or DVD.

Getting Started

Accessing the Help System

Introduction to CADLearning for

Autodesk 3ds Max 2013

Understanding Object
Interaction

Learning Objectives

Pre-Production and Planning

Maximizing the Workspace

Reviewing Still Image Types

Contact us today to learn more:

+1.603.641.3900 or visit
www.cadlearning.com.

Synchronizing the User Interface

and Default Presets

Examining Animation Output

Configuring 3ds Max and 3ds

Max Design

Pre-Planning the Production

Setting Up Units

Developing a Sketch Style

Storyboard

Setting Display Units to

Architectural

Examining a Sample Storyboard

Assigning a Project Folder

Creating a Prototype File
Configuring the Default UI and
Presets

Managing Workspaces

Planning Scene Level of Detail

Understanding Level of Detail
Planning File Output
Outputting for Print/Web

Reviewing Animation Output

Types

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CADLearning for Autodesk 3ds Max 2013

Working with Layers

Modeling Window Frames

Previsualizing a Scene

Modeling Window Panes

Configuring In Viewport
Previsualization with Nitrous

Examining Modifiers and the

Modifier Stack

Modeling

Investigating Object Space

Modifiers

Modeling in 3ds Max

Understanding Shapes
Saving Incremental Files
Cloning Shapes
Creating Outline Shapes

Adding a Bevel Profile Modifier

Editing 2D Shapes
Stacking Modifiers
Editing Modifiers

Incorporating Displacement
Mapping
Setting Transparency
Calculating Map Sizes
Creating a Tile Map
Determining Map Coverage
Adding a UVW Map Modifier
Working with Unwrap UVW
Working with Multiple Materials
Discovering the Multi/SubObject Material

Attaching Shapes

Understanding World Space

Modifiers

Editing Closed 2D Shapes

Editing the Map Scalar Modifier

Trimming and Welding Splines

Understanding Object Painting

Filleting a Vertex

Painting a Scene

Assigning a Multi/Sub-Object
Material

Understanding Mesh and Poly

Objects

Discovering AEC Objects

Understanding Blend and Masks

Building with AEC Walls

Using a Blend Material

Adding a Door

Masking with Materials

Adding Windows

Understanding Substance
Textures

Discovering the Editable Poly

Object Type
Converting Object Types
Learning the Graphite Modeling
Tools
Working with the Paint Deform
Tool
Using the Conform Paint Tool
Understanding 2D and 3D
Objects

Working with Containers

Inheriting Container Contents

Materials

Discovering Material Libraries

Introducing Materials

Understanding Autodesk
Materials Libraries

Working with ProBoolean

Creating Schematic Materials

Using Shapemerge

Discovering the Arch and

Design Material

Merging Objects
Working with Caddies
Modeling Windows

Working with Substance Textures

Baking Textures - Render to
Texture

Introducing Compound Objects

Exploring More Editable Poly

Editing Material IDs

Modeling - Best Practices

Understanding the Slate

Material Editor

Aligning the Road

Setting Material IDs

Adjusting Shaders

Using an Autodesk Library

Material
Creating a New Library

Lighting

Editing Reflectivity

Understanding Direct and

Indirect Light

Assigning a Material

Discovering Daylight

Using Map Patterns

Placing a Daylight System

Simulating Geometry

Adjusting Location

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CADLearning for Autodesk 3ds Max 2013

Adjusting Physical Sky

Using RAM Player

Keyframing a Moving Object

Understanding Photometric
Lights

Saving with Animation Codecs

Understanding Path Animation

Discovering iray

Animating on a Path

Visualizing Realistic Lighting with

iray

Understanding Velocity Control

Enabling Streetlights in a Scene

Changing Photometric Light
Presets
Understanding Indirect Light
Calculating Indirect Illumination
Working with Final Gather
Setting Final Gather Bounces
Using Sky Portals
Discovering Global Illumination
Setting Interior Night Lighting
Using Photometric Web Files
Enabling Global Illumination
Creating Object Lights

Rendering
Introducing Rendering

Rendering with the Quicksilver

Hardware Renderer
Using HDR Environments for
Realistic Lighting
Editing a Scene Using iray in
Activeshade

Cameras
Understanding the Camera
Discovering Traditional Camera
Shots
Identifying Effective Camera
Distance
Changing Viewer Distance
Discovering Depth of Field

Rendering for Still Images

Adding Depth of Field to Control

Focus

Understanding Still Image

Resolution

Understanding Camera Angles

Rendering Still Images

Adjusting Camera Angles

Setting Render Presets

Discovering Composition
Essentials

Understanding Still Image File

Types

Understanding the Rule of Thirds

Applying an Ease Curve

Discovering Camera Animation
Basics
Separating Camera Position
and Rotation Control
Animating a Dummy on a Path
Linking a Hierarchy
Retiming an Animation

Effects and Dynamics

Understanding Particle Effects
Creating a Particle Flow
Discovering 3ds Max Dynamics
Simulating Rigid Bodies
Simulating with Forces and
Constraints
Creating a Tearable Curtain
Using Render Effects
Activating Mental Ray Camera
Glare
Adding a Volume Fire Effect

Implementing the Rule of Thirds

IK and Rigging

Discovering Diagonals

Discovering IK

Establishing Diagonals

Rigging a Mechanical Assembly

Using Camera Clipping Planes

Introducing Character
Animation Toolkit

Setting Animation Resolution

Animation

Creating a CAT Rig

Understanding Animation File

Types

Understanding Animation
Concepts

Scripting

Creating a Preview Animation

Discovering Object Animation

Understanding MAXScript

Rendering Sequential Images

Exploring Keyframe Animation

Creating Scripted Objects

Choosing Still Image File Types

Rendering Animations
Understanding Image Resolution
for Animations

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CADLearning for Autodesk 3ds Max 2013

Scene Assembly

Setting Gamma Correction

Lighting the Scene

Introducing Scene Assembly

Creating Special Image Types

Discovering the Concept of

Short Scenes

Discovering the Panorama

Exporter

Understanding Lighting
Preparation

Discovering Video Post

Creating a Panorama File

Discovering the Daylight System

Using the Video Post Queue

Outputting for Cinema

Adding a Daylight System

Indicating Change of Time or

Place

Saving Open EXR Files

Configuring the Daylight System

LEED Lighting Analysis

Exploring Skylight Portals

Adding a Crossfade Transition

Using Image Layers
Understanding Scene Layering
Rendering with Passes
Discovering Autodesk
Composite
Compositing Multiple Layers

Introducing Lighting Analysis

Creating a Ground Plane

Adjusting Exposure Control

Understanding Lighting Analysis

Scene Materials

Identifying Who Uses Lighting

Analysis

Understanding Scene Materials

Discovering How Lighting

Analysis is Used

Remapping Color Output

Identifying Lighting Analysis

Integration

Working with External Files

Introducing LEED Certification

Linking to AutoCAD Models

Understanding LEED
Certification

Identifying Scene Materials

Creating Material for the
Ground Plane
Adding Beige Wall Paint
Material
Adjusting The BRDF Function
Curve

Validating LEED Lighting

Exploring Window and Frame

Materials

Considering Final Output

Discovering the Lighting Analysis

UI

Using The Multi/Sub-Object

Material

Understanding Scene States

Using the Lighting Analysis Menu

Setting Up Scene States for

Rendering

Working with the Lighting

Analysis Assistant

Adding an Autodesk Material

Glazing for Windows

Understanding Batch Rendering

Identifying Issues for Lighting

Analysis

Importing Inventor Models

Output

Configuring a Batch Rendering

Queue
Outputting Still Images
Understanding Print Resolution

Examining Scene and Modeling

Issues
Building to Scale

Controlling Print Size

Understanding 3D Lighting
Design

Exploring Gamma Correction

Examining Real World Lighting

Applying an Autodesk Material

Metal for the Window Frames

Lighting Analysis for Presentation

Understanding Lighting Analysis
for Presentation
Understanding Lighting Analysis
Tools
Using the Lighting Analysis
Assistant

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CADLearning for Autodesk 3ds Max 2013

Incorporating Light Meters
Configuring Lighting Analysis
Image Overlay

Rendering an Analysis
Rendering a Complete Analysis
Adjusting Exposure
Configuring Final Gather
Setting Common Rendering
Settings
Rendering a Final Image
Using Grab Viewport

System Requirements
DVD Version Requires
Microsoft Windows XP,
Vista, 7
512 MB Ram
1GHz Processor or faster
1024x768 color display
Sound Card and Speakers
Up to 8GB hard disk space
required for installation
DVD-ROM drive for install only
Mouse (or pointing device)
needed for navigation
Online Version Requires:
Internet Browser
Adobe Flash Plugin
InternetConnection (HighSpeed Recommended)
CADLearning is Developed by:

4D Technologies, LLC

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