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Home » In Depth » The Lazy Way to Learn 3DS Max from Scratch: Become a Pro in No Time!

In Depth

T h e L a z y Wa y t o L e a r n 3 D S M a x f r o m
S c r a t c h : B e c o m e a P r o i n No T i m e !

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If you ask me, 3Ds Max is really the best 3D modeling software for architects. It is highly
�exible and gives you a gorgeous result. Lately, I came across several people in online
forums and in my school who are struggling to learn 3Ds Max. On that account, I have
decided to give you the quickest method to learn it with least effort.

RREEAADD M
MOORREE::

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Since we’re too lazy to read boring details, let’s get straight to the point. What is The Lazy
Way to Learn 3Ds Max from Scratch? Read on to �nd out!

3 D s Ma x   f r o m S c r a t c h :

1 . Do No t Ta k e C l a s s e s !

You heard that right! Do not enroll in a 3Ds Max course! That is the most time consuming
and the least rewarding way to learn it. They will probably teach you things you do not
immediately need for your project. So, get that option out of your mind if you’re short on
time.

Courtesy of Corbis

2 . J u s t Yo u Tu b e W h a t e v e r Yo u Ne e d !

Don’t ever undermine the power of YouTube. It’s got everything! Literally! “How to extrude
on 3Ds max”, “how to make a curved mesh on 3Ds max’, “how to view just one part of the
model to edit it”, etc., etc.

This does not mean you watch a 40-minute tutorial and forget whatever you learned by
the time the video ends.  No, no, no! Just start modeling your building straightaway, from
scratch, and YouTube whatever you need to get to the �nal form.

Courtesy of Camyron Lee

Going step by step is the key, which takes us to our next friendly advice: “Apply as you
watch!”

3. A p p l y a s Yo u Wa t c h !

Let me elaborate a bit. You got a submission deadline in 2 weeks. Just type in whatever
you want to know and apply as you watch. This is crucial. If you let the tutorial end and
then start applying, you’d �nd yourself lost in a world of mathematics.

Courtesy of Memes

Pause the video, apply what you saw, then resume, then pause again, apply, and so on and
so forth. You can begin by YouTubing “how to import an AutoCAD plan to 3Ds Max” and go
all the way to making that tiny pyramid at the tip of your building, for example.

As a starter, take this 6-minute lesson about making walls with doors and stuff and try
doing it:

Working with AEC Objects in 3ds Max - Part 1

4 . G o o g l e Wh e n 3 D s Ma x G o eess Nu t s!

If your building suddenly disappears in the dark, press Z. If that does not work, google it!

Likewise, if your custom panel vanishes or the option you need to click on is grayed out,
Google will �nd your way. It has got the answers to all such silly problems.

Don’t be afraid to start your journey with 3Ds max. YouTube and Google have got you
covered.

5. D o N o t W a s t e y o u r E n e r g y , S w e a t , a n d B l o o d o n R e n d e r S c e n e s !

Usually, people who give the rendering tutorials also attach their �nal max scene by the
end of the tutorial JUST FOR YOU. So why don’t you take it? Replace their building with
yours and render! You may also simply search for 3Ds max exterior scenes on your
browser and download free �les!

If this does not work for you, Photoshop is the quickest path to take:

RREEAADD M
MOORREE::

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1. For realistic materials’ effect, download V-Ray for 3Ds Max.

2. Learn how to apply materials to your building from YouTube

3. After applying materials, render your shots using the V-Ray Physical camera and save
them in a PNG format.

4. Open them in Photoshop and enjoy adding a scenic sky with pigeons in the background.

5. Also add some contextual images, greenery, and human �gures to accessorize it.

6. If you’re not that good with Photoshop, the following easy-peasy tutorial will help you to
achieve a realistic render in a matter of an hour or 2.
 RREEAADD M
MOORREE::

P h o t o s h o p, I n D e s i g n a n d I l l u s t r a t o r
S h o r tc u t s fo r A r c h i te c t s

Architectural Post Processing in Photoshop (PSD Box)

Complying with all these steps will give you highly professional renders within a few
weeks!
Believe me, been there, done that!

See also:

Architectural Rendering softw

waar e : Mo s t He l p f u l 2 D a n d 3 D We b R e s o u r c e s

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