3D Studio Max Lesson 1.1: A Basic Overview of 3DSMax's Main Tool Bar

Introduction

If you're using a version later than 4.26, don't worry; the basics still apply. Because we're covering the principle foundations of animating in three dimensions, we won't be looking at the more advanced plugins and automated functions that come with later versions of the program.

When you first open 3D Studio Max, it can look a little daunting, with dozens of buttons and tabs, screens and panels. But don't worry; just follow along, and we'll get started on figuring out just what's what.

• Introduction
• Main Tool Bar
• Undo, Redo, Linking, and Space Warps
• Selection Tools
• Moving, Rotating, Scaling, Manipulation, and Coordinate Systems
• Centering and Axis and Coordinate Plane Restrictions
• Mirroring, Array, Snapshot, Spacing, and Alignment Tools
• Selection Sets, Track View, and Schematic View
• Material Editor and Rendering Tools
• Viewports