Book Image

3ds Max Speed Modeling for 3D Artists

By : Thomas Mooney
Book Image

3ds Max Speed Modeling for 3D Artists

By: Thomas Mooney

Overview of this book

Production of 3D art is an exciting medium, but the task of modeling requires intense attention to detail, so speed and efficiency are vital. This book breaks down speed modeling workflow in 3ds Max into stages you can easily achieve, with a focus on hard surface modeling and methods you can apply to your own designs."3ds Max Speed Modeling for 3D Artists" will help level up your 3D modeling skills. It focuses on hard surface modeling, and shows the range of tools and techniques in 3ds Max 2013.This book shows content creation methods aimed at 3ds Max modelers preparing to show their skill to the industry. The key feature of modeling that artists must exhibit is speediness while preserving technical accuracy. The author helps you follow set project guidelines while pushing creativity and outlines the entire workflow from concept development to exporting a game-ready model.The book begins with introductions for new users to the interface and modeling tools, and progresses to topics aimed at users already familiar with 3ds Max, who want to improve their content creation process. You'll also see ways 3ds Max content is used with other applications, like sculpting software and game editors, and learn features of speed modeling, efficient workflow, re-use of content, and tips on getting more done, more quickly.By the end of this book you will have learned key topics in modeling, ready to face professional level work with elan.
Table of Contents (17 chapters)
3ds Max Speed Modeling for 3D Artists
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

WrapIt by The Pixel Hive


Unlike in software such as 3d Coat, Modo 601, or ZBrush, there is no automatic retopology tool in 3ds Max. It so happens that a third-party company—"The Pixel Hive"—has written a commercial plugin WrapIt , which fills this gap. Matt Clark has updated the plugin to 3ds Max 2013.

To see what this offers, check out the demonstrations at http://www.matt-clark.co.uk.

WrapIt has two primary advantages over the methods we've looked at so far. One is QuadGen, which automatically shrink wraps a target quad mesh over the source mesh according to user settings. The other is AutoWrap , which gives you a live mesh update as you use Branch Paint for new loops around the form, bridging to the previous loop or to a border selection. It includes a Spacing tool, which redistributes loops evenly, and a Relax tool. There are certain limitations with shrink wrapping a mesh onto another. Automatic edge loops may miss nuances in the flow of forms that handset loops will allow you to achieve...