Note - please see my current work and most recent animations here at my Museum of the Future
Visit my Max Animation blog.
---This was my beginner page - see the top url above to see my new work since I finished my training.-----
This is a page where I will post animation's I've made using the 3D
Studio Max program made by Discreet.
The purpose of this page is to provide updates on my progress as well
as list other useful information. 3D Studio Max is the same program used
in high end movies such as the Matrix and Star Wars (Attack of the Clones), South
Park and more. I have received my Discreet certification for the "3DS
Max 5 Fundamentals" course taught by Discreet
training specialist Ben Munkres in October 2003.
I have also just completed the "Combustion" class at Seattle's animation school Mesmer - February 2004. Combustion is a seperate program for post editing and compositing animations for
better integration with film. I also attended a Mesmer class in March
04, that focused on Discreet's Character
Studio. Character Studio is a separate character animation program made by Discreet that works
in conjunction with 3DS Max that gives one tools to animate people and
other characters. With this certificate I now have my third and final
Discreet certified certificate. I would take more classes, but they don't
have any more.
See a fun movie project that myself
and three others created at Mesmer
animation labs. This movie was a one day project that we crunched through
on the last day of class. Click here
(mov) or Click here for the Avi version
of movie. When you click this link a webpage will open up and it will
be white, appearing like nothing is happening, but the movie is downloading,
this download will take a long time. Note: keep watching past the credits,
the movie has a surprise after the credits, so it's not over yet!
-If you have problems viewing the
movie click here for more help.
Animations Here
are some test beginner animations I made using 3Ds. These are early works
from when I first started working with my animation program. These are
Avi's. Ranging from 254 kb to 1,404kb. Click these pictures to see
the animations.
This first one, Avi 6, is the largest, has the most potential, and the most imperfections, I will try and slow it down and clean up the loose ends within the next few days. This avi will take longer to load than the others.
My goal with learning this program is to visually demonstrate the future applications of nanotechnology.
My thoughts on 3D animation.
Don't forget to visit my 3D art pages: Museum
of the Future Esthetic
Art and Digital Art and Fractals.
Tip for users - One thing to be aware
of, if you install 3Ds Max or any of its corresponding programs more than
two times, you will be required to phone their number to install, forever!
For users - (Note, Nov 04 - version 7 has been released). Version 6 of 3DS Max
has just been released. Here's a bit of info on ordering. If you order
one of Discreets programs close enough to a release of a newer version,
they will send the newer version to you if your previous order falls within
the grace period. I found this out when I ordered Combustion 2, and a
month later they sent me 3. Also, 6 does not have the top tab menu bar
for your drop down options (modifiers, shapes etc.). I would suggest that
users find a company that will provide you with an AutoDesk subscription,
this will save you money on new upgrades of the program. The company you
subscribe to will be paid a yearly fee and will automatically send you
new versions, you pay nothing else aside from the subscription fee.
3DS Max plugins are great for extra features. Digimation
has developed many programs that are very useful, they also sell models
for various 3D programs.
Turbosquid is an awesome page that not only has plugins and free and
purchase models and textures available, but tutorials and a users forum
as well. Discreet also provides a small list of certified plugins on their
website, here.
Television for Animators
G4 Television Network this is what is called the T.V. channel for gamers, however they often feature animation companies aside from what you can learn from those who develop games in general.
TechTV these guys air a show (although I don't know for how much longer) called Eye Drops that features animations and their creators.
Cartoon Network airs evening shows grouped under the header [adult swim] which is good animation inspiration in the form of entertainment. Lots of Anime.
Don't forget to check out Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius on the Nickelodeon channel, not only is he a science freak, but he's in 3D!
Books on 3DS I own that I have found very useful.
Harnessing 3ds max 5 by Michele Bousquet and Aaron F Ross. This author also has a couple tutorials from the book online here.
3ds max 5 Bible by Kelly L. Murdock
3ds Max 5 for Windows: Visual QuickStart Guide by Michele Matossian
3ds max: Organic Modeling Training CD by Tim Kugler this is nice but it's for 3ds version 3.
3ds
max 5 for Dummies by Shamms Mortier
3D Magazines
Web Links
dmoz mostly 3Ds users galleries.
Discreets video tutorials (download for free) for it's newly released 3Ds Max.
Tutorials
Here are links that my instructor gave to me
Events
Products of Interest
Wacom Tablet and pen I have the 6 by 8 version here because it's the one I have and wrote my initial install review about, but there are other sizes. You can read that review here.
Software
3D Studio Max (made by Discreet - once at the link click products) this is the 3D program I use.
Deep Paint 3D export files into 3Ds and open in this program to paint directly on your objects.
Photoshop post editing.
Also see my webpage for cgi artists.