Kelly L. Murdock
Murdock
Hands down, the best book on 3ds Max around
Whether you’re a novice eager to get started or a
full-fledged animator seeking new ways to dazzle,
the new edition of this perennial hot seller is the
perfect 3ds Max book for you. It’s crammed with
the very latest features, professional techniques, and
over 150 step-by-step tutorials that will build skills
and spark your creativity. Don’t miss the colorful
insert, which showcases the work of cutting-edge
3D artists and is sure to inspire you.
[FPO][• Do freeform sculpting with the new Graphite Modeling Tools
• Use the new Material Explorer interface to quick-navigate material hierarchies
• Discover viewport exposure control, ambient occlusion, and soft shadows
• Add multiple sound tracks to your scene with the ProSound features
• Quickly find mesh problems with the xView display options
• Paint directly on models in the new Viewport Canvas mode
Value-packed DVD
Paint models in the viewportAnimate a space scene View models with soft shadows
3d
s Ma
x® 2
01
0
What’s on the DVD?You’ll find before-and-after example files for every tutorial in the book, as well as:
• Unique models and textures you can customize for your own designs
• A searchable full-color PDF of the book
System Requirements: See the DVD appendix for details and complete system requirements.
Also in the Book• A 16-page full-color insert
highlighting cutting-edge work from 3ds Max artists
Shelving Category:COMPUTERS / Computer Graphics
Reader Level:Beginning to Advanced
$49.99 USA $59.99 Canada
www.wiley.com/compbooks
Spine: 1.54"
Covers both 3ds Max 2010 and 3ds Max 2010 Design
Cover Image © Keith Thompsonwww.keiththompsonart.com
Start creating today with a Quick Start tutorial
Master the basics through advanced techniques
Shine in the red-hot 3D gaming market
The book you need to succeed!
3ds Max® 2010
DVD Included!• Examples and content from the book• Models and textures you can customize• Searchable, full-color PDF of the book
Full-color Insert• 16-page full-color insert with
cutting-edge examples
3ds Max® 2010 Bible
Published byWiley Publishing, Inc.10475 Crosspoint BoulevardIndianapolis, IN 46256www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
ISBN: 978-0-470-47191-3
Manufactured in the United States of America
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, (978) 750-8400, fax (978) 646-8600. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, 201-748-6011, fax 201-748-6008, or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.
LIMIT OF LIABILITY/DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY: THE PUBLISHER AND THE AUTHOR MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS WORK AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. NO WARRANTY MAY BE CREATED OR EXTENDED BY SALES OR PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS. THE ADVICE AND STRATEGIES CONTAINED HEREIN MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR EVERY SITUATION. THIS WORK IS SOLD WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PUBLISHER IS NOT ENGAGED IN RENDERING LEGAL, ACCOUNTING, OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. IF PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED, THE SERVICES OF A COMPETENT PROFESSIONAL PERSON SHOULD BE SOUGHT. NEITHER THE PUBLISHER NOR THE AUTHOR SHALL BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES ARISING HEREFROM. THE FACT THAT AN ORGANIZATION OR WEBSITE IS REFERRED TO IN THIS WORK AS A CITATION AND/OR A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF FURTHER INFORMATION DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE AUTHOR OR THE PUBLISHER ENDORSES THE INFORMATION THE ORGANIZATION OR WEBSITE MAY PROVIDE OR RECOMMENDATIONS IT MAY MAKE. FURTHER, READERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT INTERNET WEBSITES LISTED IN THIS WORK MAY HAVE CHANGED OR DISAPPEARED BETWEEN WHEN THIS WORK WAS WRITTEN AND WHEN IT IS READ.
For general information on our other products and services or to obtain technical support, please contact our Customer Care Department within the U.S. at (877) 762-2974, outside the U.S. at (317) 572-3993 or fax (317) 572-4002.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2009930880
Trademarks: Wiley, the Wiley logo, and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and/or its affiliates, in the United States and other countries, and may not be used without written permission. 3ds Max is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Wiley Publishing, Inc., is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.
Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books.
Certain image(s) and materials contained in this publication were reproduced with the permission of Autodesk, Inc. © 2009 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
When I was young,
I wanted to be King.
The thought of such a title,
Seemed like such a noble thing.
When I started school
I changed my sight,
And class president
Sounded just right.
In high school sports,
The place for me,
Was team captain
For all to see.
The years in college
Held a different goal still
And top of the class
Seemed to fit the bill.
Now, finally I have
The spot I wanted all my life,
Head of my own house
Following the orders of my wife.
To my Uncle Peter, who as a Prins has made me royal indeed, 2009
About the AuthorKelly Murdock has been authoring computer books for many years now and still gets immense enjoy-ment from the completed work. His book credits include various 3D, graphics, multimedia, and Web titles, including nine previous editions of this book, 3ds Max Bible. Other major accomplishments include Google SketchUp Bible, Edgeloop Character Modeling for 3D Professionals Only, Maya 6 and 7 Revealed, LightWave 3D 8 Revealed, The Official Guide to Anime Studio, Poser 6 and 7 Revealed, 3D Game Animation For Dummies, gmax Bible, Adobe Atmosphere Bible, Master VISUALLY HTML and XHTML, JavaScript Visual Blueprint, and co-authoring duties on two editions of the Illustrator Bible (for versions 9 and 10) and four editions of the Adobe Creative Suite Bible.
With a background in engineering and computer graphics, Kelly has been all over the 3D industry and still finds it fascinating. He’s used high-level CAD workstations for product design and analysis, com-pleted several large-scale visualization projects, created 3D models for feature films and games, worked as a freelance 3D artist, and even done some 3D programming. Kelly’s been using 3D Studio since ver-sion 3 for DOS. Kelly has also branched into training others in 3D technologies. He currently works as a production manager for an upcoming game company.
In his spare time, Kelly enjoys playing basketball.
CreditsSenior Acquisitions EditorStephanie McComb
Project EditorMartin V. Minner
Technical EditorChris Murdock
Editorial DirectorRobyn Siesky
Editorial ManagerCricket Krengel
Business ManagerAmy Knies
Senior Marketing ManagerSandy Smith
Vice President and Executive Group PublisherRichard Swadley
Vice President and Executive PublisherBarry Pruett
Project CoordinatorKatie Crocker
Graphics and Production SpecialistsAndrea HornbergerJennifer MayberryChristin SwinfordRonald Terry
Quality Control TechniciansJohn GreenoughSusan Moritz
ProofreadingChristine Sabooni
IndexingBIM Indexing & Proofreading Services
Media Development Project ManagerLaura Moss-Hollister
Media Development Assistant Project ManagerJenny Swisher
Media Development Associate ProducerJosh Frank
Media Development Quality AssuranceShawn Patrick
vi
Preface ..............................................................................................................................................xxxixAcknowledgments ................................................................................................................................xlv
Part I: Getting Started with 3ds Max . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Quick Start: Landing a Space Vehicle ...................................................................................................... 3Chapter 1: Exploring the Max Interface ................................................................................................ 13Chapter 2: Controlling and Configuring the Viewports ......................................................................... 35Chapter 3: Working with Files, Importing, and Exporting .................................................................... 73Chapter 4: Customizing the Max Interface and Setting Preferences ....................................................... 99
Part II: Working with Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127Chapter 5: Creating and Editing Primitive Objects .............................................................................. 129Chapter 6: Selecting Objects and Setting Object Properties ................................................................. 159Chapter 7: Transforming Objects, Pivoting, Aligning, and Snapping ................................................... 189Chapter 8: Cloning Objects and Creating Object Arrays ..................................................................... 219Chapter 9: Grouping, Linking, and Using Containers ......................................................................... 241
Part III: Modeling Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255Chapter 10: Accessing Subobjects and Using Modeling Helpers .......................................................... 257Chapter 11: Introducing Modifiers and Using the Modifier Stack........................................................ 271Chapter 12: Drawing and Editing 2D Splines and Shapes ................................................................... 303Chapter 13: Modeling with Polygons and Using the Graphite Modeling Tools .................................... 347
Part IV: Materials, Cameras, and Lighting Basics . . . . . . . . . 389Chapter 14: Using the Material Editor and the Material Explorer ........................................................ 391Chapter 15: Creating and Applying Standard Materials ....................................................................... 413Chapter 16: Adding Material Details with Maps .................................................................................. 425Chapter 17: Creating Compound Materials and Using Material Modifiers ........................................... 461Chapter 18: Configuring and Aiming Cameras .................................................................................... 475Chapter 19: Using Lights and Basic Lighting Techniques .................................................................... 491
Part V: Animation and Rendering Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 519Chapter 20: Understanding Animation and Keyframes ....................................................................... 521Chapter 21: Animating with Constraints and Simple Controllers ........................................................ 545Chapter 22: Rendering a Scene ........................................................................................................... 565
Part VI: Advanced Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 587Chapter 23: Building Complex Scenes with XRefs and Using Asset Tracking ...................................... 589Chapter 24: Working with the Schematic View ................................................................................... 603Chapter 25: Deforming Surfaces and Using the Mesh Modifiers .......................................................... 621Chapter 26: Working with Compound Objects .................................................................................. 641Chapter 27: Modeling with Patches and NURBS ................................................................................. 679Chapter 28: Adding and Styling Hair and Fur, and Using Cloth ......................................................... 703
vii
Part VII: Advanced Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 721Chapter 29: Using Specialized Material Types ..................................................................................... 723Chapter 30: Painting in the Viewport Canvas and Rendering Surface Maps ........................................ 737Chapter 31: Unwrapping UVs and Mapping Textures ......................................................................... 749Chapter 32: Creating Baked Textures and Normal Maps ..................................................................... 773
Part VIII: Advanced Animation Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . 783Chapter 33: Using Animation Modifiers and Complex Controllers...................................................... 785Chapter 34: Animating with the Expression Controller and Wiring Parameters .................................. 813Chapter 35: Working with Function Curves in the Track View ........................................................... 831Chapter 36: Using Animation Layers and the Motion Mixer ................................................................ 869
Part IX: Dynamic Animation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 885Chapter 37: Creating Particles and Particle Flow ................................................................................. 887Chapter 38: Using Space Warps .......................................................................................................... 917Chapter 39: Simulating Physics-Based Motion with reactor ................................................................. 939Chapter 40: Animating Hair and Cloth ............................................................................................... 961
Part X: Working with Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 969Chapter 41: Understanding Rigging and Working with Bones ............................................................ 971Chapter 42: Working with Inverse Kinematics .................................................................................... 979Chapter 43: Creating and Animating Bipeds and Crowds ................................................................... 997Chapter 44: Skinning Characters ...................................................................................................... 1025
Part XI: Advanced Lighting and Rendering . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1043Chapter 45: Working with Advanced Lighting, Light Tracing, and Radiosity .................................... 1045Chapter 46: Using Atmospheric and Render Effects .......................................................................... 1063Chapter 47: Rendering with mental ray ............................................................................................ 1095Chapter 48: Batch and Network Rendering ....................................................................................... 1107Chapter 49: Compositing with Render Elements and the Video Post Interface .................................. 1123
Part XII: MAXScript and Plug-Ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1155Chapter 50: Automating with MAXScript .......................................................................................... 1157Chapter 51: Expanding Max with Third-Party Plug-Ins..................................................................... 1195
Appendix A: What’s New with 3ds Max 2010 ................................................................................... 1203Appendix B: What’s on the DVD ....................................................................................................... 1207
Index ................................................................................................................................................ 1211End User License Agreement ............................................................................................................. 1249
ix
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xxxix
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xlv
Part I: Getting Started with 3ds Max 1
Quick Start: Landing a Space Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Spaceships and Ports—Planning the Production ........................................................................... 3Setting Up the Scene ..................................................................................................................... 4
Tutorial: Gathering models ................................................................................................. 4Tutorial: Adding a ground plane ........................................................................................ 6
Adding Materials and Lights ......................................................................................................... 7Tutorial: Adding materials .................................................................................................. 7Tutorial: Adding a Sun & Sky system ................................................................................. 7Tutorial: Rendering the scene ............................................................................................. 9
Animating the Spaceship ............................................................................................................ 10Tutorial: Animating a spaceship landing ........................................................................... 10
Summary .................................................................................................................................... 11
Chapter 1: Exploring the Max Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Learning the Interface Elements .................................................................................................. 14Using the Menus ......................................................................................................................... 16Using the Toolbars ..................................................................................................................... 17
Docking and floating toolbars........................................................................................... 17Using tooltips and flyouts ................................................................................................. 18Using the Caption Bar ...................................................................................................... 19Learning the main toolbar ................................................................................................ 19Using the Ribbon ............................................................................................................. 22
Using the Viewports ................................................................................................................... 23Using the Command Panel ......................................................................................................... 23
Working with rollouts ...................................................................................................... 24Increasing the Command Panel’s width ............................................................................ 24Tutorial: Rearranging the interface for lefties .................................................................... 26
Using the Lower Interface Bar Controls ...................................................................................... 27Interacting with the Interface ...................................................................................................... 28
Gaining quick access with the right-click quadmenus ...................................................... 28Understanding the button color cues ................................................................................ 29Using drag-and-drop features ........................................................................................... 29Controlling spinners ......................................................................................................... 29Understanding modeless and persistent dialog boxes ....................................................... 30
x
Contents
Getting Help ............................................................................................................................... 30Using the InfoCenter toolbar ............................................................................................ 30Viewing the Essential Skills Movies .................................................................................. 32Using the browser-based reference guides ........................................................................ 32Using the rest of the Help menu ....................................................................................... 33
Summary .................................................................................................................................... 34
Chapter 2: Controlling and Configuring the Viewports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Understanding 3D Space ............................................................................................................ 35
Learning Axonometric versus Perspective ......................................................................... 36Learning Orthographic and Isometric views ..................................................................... 36Discovering the viewports in Max..................................................................................... 37
Using the Navigation Gizmos ..................................................................................................... 38Working with the ViewCube ............................................................................................ 38Using the SteeringWheels ................................................................................................. 39Tutorial: Navigating the active viewport ........................................................................... 40
Controlling Viewports with a Scroll Wheel ................................................................................. 42Using the Viewport Navigation Controls ..................................................................................... 43
Zooming a view ................................................................................................................ 44Panning a view ................................................................................................................. 44Walking through a view ................................................................................................... 44Rotating a view ................................................................................................................. 45Maximizing the active viewport ........................................................................................ 46Controlling camera and spotlight views ............................................................................ 47
Changing the Viewport Display .................................................................................................. 47Undoing and saving viewport changes ............................................................................. 47Disabling and refreshing viewports ................................................................................... 48Viewing materials in the viewports ................................................................................... 48Displaying lights and shadows in the viewports................................................................ 48Enabling Exposure Control and Ambient Occlusion ......................................................... 50Configuring viewport lighting and shadows ..................................................................... 50Locating mesh problems with xView ................................................................................ 52
Configuring the Viewports .......................................................................................................... 53Setting the viewport rendering method ............................................................................ 53Altering the viewport layout ............................................................................................. 60Using Safe Frames ............................................................................................................ 61Understanding Adaptive Degradation ............................................................................... 63Defining regions ............................................................................................................... 65Viewing statistics .............................................................................................................. 67
Working with Viewport Backgrounds ......................................................................................... 68Loading viewport background images .............................................................................. 69Loading viewport background animations ........................................................................ 70Tutorial: Loading reference images for modeling .............................................................. 70
Summary .................................................................................................................................... 71
Chapter 3: Working with Files, Importing, and Exporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73Working with Max Scene Files ................................................................................................... 73
Using the Application Button ........................................................................................... 73Starting new ..................................................................................................................... 74Saving files ....................................................................................................................... 75
xi
Contents
Archiving files .................................................................................................................. 76Opening files .................................................................................................................... 77Setting a Project Folder .................................................................................................... 78Merging and replacing objects .......................................................................................... 78Getting out ....................................................................................................................... 79
Setting File Preferences ............................................................................................................... 79Handling files ................................................................................................................... 80Backing up files ................................................................................................................ 81Tutorial: Setting Up Auto Backup ..................................................................................... 82Maintaining log files ......................................................................................................... 82
Importing and Exporting ............................................................................................................ 82Importing supported formats ........................................................................................... 83Import preference ............................................................................................................. 84Exporting supported formats ............................................................................................ 84Exporting utilities ............................................................................................................. 89
Using the File Utilities ................................................................................................................ 92Using the Asset Browser utility ......................................................................................... 93Finding files with the Max File Finder utility .................................................................... 94Collecting files with the Resource Collector utility ............................................................ 95Using the File Link Manager utility .................................................................................. 95Using i-drop ..................................................................................................................... 95
Accessing File Information .......................................................................................................... 96Displaying scene information ........................................................................................... 96Viewing file properties ...................................................................................................... 96Viewing files ..................................................................................................................... 97
Summary .................................................................................................................................... 98
Chapter 4: Customizing the Max Interface and Setting Preferences . . . . . 99Using the Customize User Interface Window .............................................................................. 99
Customizing keyboard shortcuts ...................................................................................... 99Customizing toolbars ..................................................................................................... 101Tutorial: Creating a custom toolbar ................................................................................ 102Customizing quadmenus ................................................................................................ 103Customizing menus ........................................................................................................ 106Tutorial: Adding a new menu ......................................................................................... 107Customizing colors ......................................................................................................... 107
Customizing Modify and Utility Panel Buttons ......................................................................... 108Working with Custom Interfaces .............................................................................................. 109
Saving and loading a custom interface ............................................................................ 109Locking the interface ...................................................................................................... 111Reverting to the startup interface .................................................................................... 111Switching between default and custom interfaces ........................................................... 112
Configuring Paths ..................................................................................................................... 113Configuring user paths ................................................................................................... 113Configuring system paths ............................................................................................... 114
Selecting System Units .............................................................................................................. 115Using Custom and Generic units .................................................................................... 115Handling mismatched units ............................................................................................ 116Rescaling world units ..................................................................................................... 117
xii
Contents
Setting Preferences .................................................................................................................... 117General preferences ........................................................................................................ 117Files panel preferences ................................................................................................... 120Viewport preferences ...................................................................................................... 120Gamma preferences ........................................................................................................ 125Other preference panels ................................................................................................. 126
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 126
Part II: Working with Objects 127
Chapter 5: Creating and Editing Primitive Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129Creating Primitive Objects ........................................................................................................ 129
Using the Create menu ................................................................................................... 129Using the Create panel ................................................................................................... 130Naming and renaming objects ........................................................................................ 131Assigning colors ............................................................................................................. 132Using the Color Clipboard ............................................................................................. 134Using different creation methods .................................................................................... 135Using the Keyboard Entry rollout for precise dimensions ............................................... 137Altering object parameters .............................................................................................. 137Recovering from mistakes and deleting objects ............................................................... 138Tutorial: Exploring the Platonic solids ............................................................................ 138
Exploring the Primitive Object Types ....................................................................................... 140Starting with the Standard Primitives ............................................................................. 140Extended Primitives ....................................................................................................... 144Modifying object parameters .......................................................................................... 153Tutorial: Filling a treasure chest with gems .................................................................... 153
Using Architecture Primitives ................................................................................................... 155Using AEC Objects ......................................................................................................... 155Tutorial: Adding stairs to a clock tower building ............................................................ 157
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 158
Chapter 6: Selecting Objects and Setting Object Properties . . . . . . . . . 159Selecting Objects ...................................................................................................................... 159
Selection filters ............................................................................................................... 160Select buttons ................................................................................................................. 161Selecting with the Edit menu .......................................................................................... 162Selecting multiple objects ............................................................................................... 164Using the Paint Selection Region tool ............................................................................. 165Tutorial: Selecting objects ............................................................................................... 166Locking selection sets ..................................................................................................... 167Using named selection sets ............................................................................................. 168Editing named selections ................................................................................................ 169Isolating the current selection ......................................................................................... 169Selecting objects in other interfaces ................................................................................ 170
Setting Object Properties .......................................................................................................... 170Viewing object information ............................................................................................ 170Setting display properties ............................................................................................... 171
xiii
Contents
Setting rendering controls .............................................................................................. 173Enabling Motion Blur ..................................................................................................... 174Using the Advanced Lighting and mental ray panels....................................................... 175Using the User-Defined panel ......................................................................................... 175
Hiding and Freezing Objects .................................................................................................... 175Using the Display Floater dialog box .............................................................................. 176Using the Display panel .................................................................................................. 177Tutorial: Hidden toothbrushes ....................................................................................... 178
Using Layers ............................................................................................................................. 179Using the Layer Manager ................................................................................................ 179Using the layer list .......................................................................................................... 182Tutorial: Dividing a scene into layers .............................................................................. 182
Using the Scene Explorer .......................................................................................................... 183Selecting and filtering objects ......................................................................................... 185Finding objects ............................................................................................................... 185Editing in the Scene Explorer ......................................................................................... 187
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 188
Chapter 7: Transforming Objects, Pivoting, Aligning, and Snapping . . . 189Translating, Rotating, and Scaling Objects ................................................................................ 189
Translating objects ......................................................................................................... 189Rotating objects .............................................................................................................. 190Scaling objects ................................................................................................................ 190Using the transform buttons ........................................................................................... 191Working with the Transform Gizmos ............................................................................. 191Using the Transform Toolbox ......................................................................................... 194Using the Transform Type-In dialog box ........................................................................ 195Using the status bar Type-In fields ................................................................................. 196Understanding the Transform Managers ......................................................................... 196Tutorial: Landing a spaceship in port ............................................................................. 201
Using Pivot Points .................................................................................................................... 202Positioning pivot points .................................................................................................. 203Aligning pivot points ...................................................................................................... 203Using the Working Pivot ................................................................................................ 203Transform adjustments ................................................................................................... 204Using the Reset XForm utility ......................................................................................... 205Tutorial: A bee buzzing about a flower ........................................................................... 205
Using the Align Commands ...................................................................................................... 206Aligning objects .............................................................................................................. 207Using the Quick Align tool ............................................................................................. 207Aligning normals ............................................................................................................ 207Tutorial: Aligning a kissing couple ................................................................................. 208Aligning to a view ........................................................................................................... 209
Using Grids .............................................................................................................................. 210The Home Grid .............................................................................................................. 210Creating and activating new grids ................................................................................... 210Using AutoGrid .............................................................................................................. 211Tutorial: Creating a spyglass ........................................................................................... 211
xiv
Contents
Using Snap Options .................................................................................................................. 212Tutorial: Creating a 2D outline of an object .................................................................... 213Setting snap points ......................................................................................................... 214Setting snap options ....................................................................................................... 215Using the Snaps toolbar .................................................................................................. 216Tutorial: Creating a lattice for a methane molecule ......................................................... 216
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 217
Chapter 8: Cloning Objects and Creating Object Arrays . . . . . . . . . . . . 219Cloning Objects ........................................................................................................................ 219
Using the Clone command ............................................................................................. 219Using the Shift-clone method ......................................................................................... 220Tutorial: Cloning dinosaurs ............................................................................................ 220Using Quick Clone ......................................................................................................... 221
Understanding Cloning Options ............................................................................................... 222Working with copies, instances, and references .............................................................. 222Tutorial: Creating instanced doughnuts .......................................................................... 222Tutorial: Working with referenced apples ...................................................................... 224
Mirroring Objects ..................................................................................................................... 225Using the Mirror command ............................................................................................ 225Tutorial: Mirroring a robot’s leg...................................................................................... 226
Cloning over Time .................................................................................................................... 227Using the Snapshot command ........................................................................................ 227Tutorial: Creating a path through a maze ....................................................................... 228
Spacing Cloned Objects ............................................................................................................ 229Using the Spacing tool .................................................................................................... 229Tutorial: Stacking a row of dominoes ............................................................................. 231
Using the Clone and Align Tool ................................................................................................ 232Aligning source objects to destination objects................................................................. 232Tutorial: Cloning and aligning trees on a beach .............................................................. 233
Creating Arrays of Objects ........................................................................................................ 234Linear arrays ................................................................................................................... 234Tutorial: Building a white picket fence ........................................................................... 235Circular arrays ................................................................................................................ 235Tutorial: Building a Ferris wheel .................................................................................... 235Working with a ring array .............................................................................................. 237Tutorial: Using Ring Array to create a carousel ............................................................... 238
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 238
Chapter 9: Grouping, Linking, and Using Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241Working with Groups ............................................................................................................... 241
Creating groups .............................................................................................................. 241Ungrouping objects ........................................................................................................ 242Opening and closing groups ........................................................................................... 242Attaching and detaching objects ..................................................................................... 242Tutorial: Grouping a plane’s parts together ..................................................................... 242Building Assemblies ....................................................................................................... 243
Understanding Parent, Child, and Root Relationships ............................................................... 244
xv
Contents
Building Links between Objects ................................................................................................ 245Linking objects ............................................................................................................... 245Unlinking objects ........................................................................................................... 245Tutorial: Linking a family of ducks ................................................................................. 245
Displaying Links and Hierarchies ............................................................................................. 247Displaying links in the viewport ..................................................................................... 247Viewing hierarchies ........................................................................................................ 247
Working with Linked Objects................................................................................................... 248Locking inheriting transformations ................................................................................. 248Using the Link Inheritance utility ................................................................................... 249Selecting hierarchies ....................................................................................................... 249Linking to dummies ....................................................................................................... 249Tutorial: Circling the globe............................................................................................. 249
Working with Containers ......................................................................................................... 251Creating and filling containers ........................................................................................ 251Closing and saving containers ........................................................................................ 253Updating and reloading containers ................................................................................. 253
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 253
Part III: Modeling Basics 255
Chapter 10: Accessing Subobjects and Using Modeling Helpers . . . . . . 257Exploring the Model Types ....................................................................................................... 257
Parametric objects versus editable objects....................................................................... 257Converting to editable objects ........................................................................................ 259
Understanding Normals ............................................................................................................ 260Viewing normals ............................................................................................................ 260Tutorial: Cleaning up imported meshes .......................................................................... 260
Working with Subobjects ......................................................................................................... 262Using Soft Selection ........................................................................................................ 263Tutorial: Soft selecting a heart shape from a plane .......................................................... 264Applying modifiers to subobject selections ..................................................................... 265
Using Modeling Helpers ........................................................................................................... 266Using Dummy and Point objects .................................................................................... 266Measuring coordinate distances ...................................................................................... 267
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 269
Chapter 11: Introducing Modifiers and Using the Modifier Stack . . . . . 271Exploring the Modifier Stack .................................................................................................... 271
Understanding Base Objects ........................................................................................... 271Applying modifiers ......................................................................................................... 272Other Modifier Stack entities .......................................................................................... 272Using the Modifier Stack ................................................................................................ 272Reordering the Stack ...................................................................................................... 275Tutorial: Creating a molecular chain............................................................................... 275Holding and fetching a scene.......................................................................................... 276Collapsing the Stack ....................................................................................................... 277Using the Collapse utility ............................................................................................... 277
xvi
Contents
Using gizmo subobjects .................................................................................................. 278Tutorial: Squeezing a plastic bottle ................................................................................. 278Modifying subobjects ..................................................................................................... 279Topology dependency .................................................................................................... 279
Exploring Modifier Types ......................................................................................................... 280Object-Space versus World-Space modifiers ................................................................... 281Selection modifiers ......................................................................................................... 281Parametric Deformer modifiers ....................................................................................... 282Free Form Deformer modifiers ....................................................................................... 299
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 301
Chapter 12: Drawing and Editing 2D Splines and Shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . 303Drawing in 2D .......................................................................................................................... 303
Working with shape primitives ...................................................................................... 304Tutorial: Drawing a company logo ................................................................................. 314Tutorial: Viewing the interior of a heart .......................................................................... 316
Editing Splines ......................................................................................................................... 317Editable Splines versus the Edit Spline modifier ............................................................. 317Making splines renderable .............................................................................................. 318Selecting spline subobjects ............................................................................................. 319Controlling spline geometry ........................................................................................... 321Editing vertices ............................................................................................................... 324Editing segments ............................................................................................................ 330Editing Spline subobjects ............................................................................................... 333
Using Spline Modifiers .............................................................................................................. 338Spline-specific modifiers ................................................................................................ 338Moving splines to 3D ..................................................................................................... 342
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 346
Chapter 13: Modeling with Polygons and Using the Graphite Modeling Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Understanding Poly Objects ..................................................................................................... 347Creating Editable Poly Objects.................................................................................................. 349
Converting objects ......................................................................................................... 349Collapsing to a mesh object ............................................................................................ 349Applying the Edit Poly modifier ..................................................................................... 349
Editing Poly Objects ................................................................................................................. 350Using the Ribbon ........................................................................................................... 350Editable Poly subobject modes ....................................................................................... 351Subobject selection ......................................................................................................... 352Tutorial: Modeling a clown head .................................................................................... 355Editing geometry ............................................................................................................ 356Editing Vertex subobjects ............................................................................................... 365Editing Edge subobjects ................................................................................................. 369Editing Border subobjects............................................................................................... 371Editing Polygon and Element subobjects ........................................................................ 372Surface properties ........................................................................................................... 376Tutorial: Modeling a tooth .............................................................................................. 379
xvii
Contents
Using the Freeform Tools ......................................................................................................... 381Using the PolyDraw tools ............................................................................................... 381Using the Paint Deform tools .......................................................................................... 384
Using the Selection Tools .......................................................................................................... 385Selecting Tops, Open, and Non-Quads .......................................................................... 385Copying and pasting selections ...................................................................................... 385Selecting by criteria ........................................................................................................ 386
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 388
Part IV: Materials, Cameras, and Lighting Basics 389
Chapter 14: Using the Material Editor and the Material Explorer . . . . . . 391Understanding Material Properties ............................................................................................ 391
Colors ............................................................................................................................ 391Opacity and transparency ............................................................................................... 392Reflection and refraction ................................................................................................ 393Shininess and specular highlights ................................................................................... 393Other properties ............................................................................................................. 393
Working with the Material Editor ............................................................................................. 394Using the Material Editor controls .................................................................................. 394Using the sample slots .................................................................................................... 397Naming materials ........................................................................................................... 400Getting new materials ..................................................................................................... 400Assigning materials to objects ......................................................................................... 400Picking materials from a scene........................................................................................ 401Selecting objects by material ........................................................................................... 401Previewing materials and rendering maps....................................................................... 401Setting Material Editor options ....................................................................................... 402Resetting materials ......................................................................................................... 403Removing materials and maps ........................................................................................ 404Using the Fix Ambient utility ......................................................................................... 404Tutorial: Coloring Easter eggs......................................................................................... 404
Using the Material/Map Browser ............................................................................................... 405Working with libraries ................................................................................................... 407Tutorial: Loading a custom material library .................................................................... 408
Using the Material/Map Navigator ............................................................................................ 408Using the Material Explorer ...................................................................................................... 409Summary .................................................................................................................................. 412
Chapter 15: Creating and Applying Standard Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413Using the Standard Material ...................................................................................................... 413Using Shading Types ................................................................................................................ 413
Blinn shader ................................................................................................................... 414Phong shader ................................................................................................................. 416Anisotropic shader ......................................................................................................... 416Multi-Layer shader ......................................................................................................... 417Oren-Nayar-Blinn shader ............................................................................................... 418Metal shader ................................................................................................................... 418
xviii
Contents
Strauss shader ................................................................................................................ 418Translucent shader ......................................................................................................... 419Tutorial: Making curtains translucent ............................................................................. 419
Accessing Other Parameters ...................................................................................................... 420Extended Parameters rollout .......................................................................................... 420SuperSampling rollout .................................................................................................... 421Maps rollout ................................................................................................................... 422Dynamic Properties rollout ............................................................................................. 422DirectX Manager rollout ................................................................................................. 422mental ray connection rollout......................................................................................... 423Tutorial: Coloring a dolphin ........................................................................................... 423
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 424
Chapter 16: Adding Material Details with Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 425Understanding Maps ................................................................................................................ 425
Different map types ........................................................................................................ 425Enabling the Global Viewport Rendering Setting ............................................................ 426Using Real-World maps .................................................................................................. 426
Understanding Material Map Types .......................................................................................... 4262D maps ......................................................................................................................... 4273D maps ......................................................................................................................... 437Compositor maps ........................................................................................................... 444Color Modifier maps ...................................................................................................... 446Miscellaneous maps ........................................................................................................ 448
Using the Maps Rollout ............................................................................................................ 451Tutorial: Aging objects for realism .................................................................................. 453
Using the Map Path Utility ........................................................................................................ 455Using Map Instances ................................................................................................................. 455Creating Textures with External Tools ...................................................................................... 456
Creating material textures using Photoshop .................................................................... 456Capturing digital images ................................................................................................. 458Scanning images ............................................................................................................. 459Tutorial: Creating a fishing net ....................................................................................... 459
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 460
Chapter 17: Creating Compound Materials and Using Material Modifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 461
Using Compound Materials ...................................................................................................... 461Blend .............................................................................................................................. 462Composite ...................................................................................................................... 463Double Sided .................................................................................................................. 464Multi/Sub-Object ............................................................................................................ 464Tutorial: Creating a patchwork quilt............................................................................... 464Morpher ......................................................................................................................... 466Shell ............................................................................................................................... 467Shellac ............................................................................................................................ 467Top/Bottom .................................................................................................................... 467Tutorial: Surfing the waves ............................................................................................. 467
xix
Contents
Applying Multiple Materials ...................................................................................................... 468Using material IDs .......................................................................................................... 468Tutorial: Mapping die faces ............................................................................................ 469Using the Clean MultiMaterial utility .............................................................................. 470
Material Modifiers ..................................................................................................................... 470Material modifier ............................................................................................................ 471MaterialByElement modifier ........................................................................................... 471Tutorial: Creating random marquee lights with the MaterialByElement modifier ............ 471Disp Approx and Displace Mesh modifiers ..................................................................... 472Tutorial: Displacing geometry with a bitmap .................................................................. 473
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 474
Chapter 18: Configuring and Aiming Cameras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 475Learning to Work with Cameras ............................................................................................... 475
Creating a camera object ................................................................................................ 476Creating a camera view................................................................................................... 476Tutorial: Setting up an opponent’s view ......................................................................... 477Controlling a camera ...................................................................................................... 478Aiming a camera ............................................................................................................. 479Tutorial: Watching a rocket ............................................................................................ 480Aligning cameras ............................................................................................................ 480Tutorial: Seeing the dinosaur’s good side ........................................................................ 481
Setting Camera Parameters ....................................................................................................... 483Lens settings and field of view ........................................................................................ 483Camera type and display options .................................................................................... 484Environment ranges and clipping planes ........................................................................ 484Camera Correction modifier ........................................................................................... 485Creating multi-pass camera effects.................................................................................. 485Using the Depth of Field effect ....................................................................................... 485Tutorial: Applying a Depth of Field effect to a row of windmills ..................................... 487Using the Motion Blur effect ........................................................................................... 488Tutorial: Using a Motion Blur multi-pass camera effect .................................................. 489
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 490
Chapter 19: Using Lights and Basic Lighting Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . 491Understanding the Basics of Lighting ........................................................................................ 491
Natural and artificial light ............................................................................................... 491A standard lighting method ............................................................................................ 492Shadows ......................................................................................................................... 493
Getting to Know the Light Types .............................................................................................. 494Default lighting .............................................................................................................. 494Ambient light ................................................................................................................. 495Standard lights ............................................................................................................... 495Photometric lights .......................................................................................................... 496
Creating and Positioning Light Objects ..................................................................................... 497Transforming lights ........................................................................................................ 497Viewing lights and shadows in the viewport ................................................................... 497Listing lights ................................................................................................................... 498
xx
Contents
Placing highlights ........................................................................................................... 499Tutorial: Lighting the snowman’s face ............................................................................ 499
Viewing a Scene from a Light .................................................................................................... 500Light viewport controls .................................................................................................. 500Tutorial: Lighting a lamp ................................................................................................ 501
Altering Light Parameters ......................................................................................................... 502General parameters ........................................................................................................ 502The Intensity/Color/Attenuation rollout.......................................................................... 503Spotlight and directional light parameters ...................................................................... 504Advanced Effects ............................................................................................................ 504Shadow parameters ........................................................................................................ 505Optimizing lights ........................................................................................................... 505Manipulating Hotspot and Falloff cones ......................................................................... 506Photometric light parameters.......................................................................................... 506
Using the Sunlight and Daylight Systems .................................................................................. 508Using the Compass helper .............................................................................................. 509Understanding Azimuth and Altitude ............................................................................. 510Specifying date and time ................................................................................................ 510Specifying location ......................................................................................................... 510Tutorial: Animating a day in 20 seconds......................................................................... 510
Using Volume Lights ................................................................................................................ 512Volume light parameters ................................................................................................ 512Tutorial: Showing car headlights .................................................................................... 513Tutorial: Creating laser beams ........................................................................................ 514Using projector maps and raytraced shadows ................................................................. 515Tutorial: Projecting a trumpet image on a scene ............................................................. 516Tutorial: Creating a stained-glass window ...................................................................... 516
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 518
Part V: Animation and Rendering Basics 519
Chapter 20: Understanding Animation and Keyframes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 521Using the Time Controls ........................................................................................................... 521
Setting frame rate ........................................................................................................... 522Setting speed and direction ............................................................................................ 523Using Time Tags ............................................................................................................. 524
Working with Keys ................................................................................................................... 524Auto Key mode .............................................................................................................. 524Set Key mode ................................................................................................................. 525Tutorial: Rotating a windmill’s blades ............................................................................. 525Creating keys with the Time Slider ................................................................................. 526Copying parameter animation keys ................................................................................ 527Deleting all object animation keys .................................................................................. 527
Using the Track Bar .................................................................................................................. 527Viewing and Editing Key Values ............................................................................................... 528Using the Motion Panel ............................................................................................................ 529
Setting parameters .......................................................................................................... 529Using trajectories ............................................................................................................ 530
xxi
Contents
Tutorial: Making an airplane follow a looping path ........................................................ 531Using the Follow/Bank utility ......................................................................................... 533
Using Ghosting ......................................................................................................................... 533Animation Preferences .............................................................................................................. 534Animating Objects .................................................................................................................... 536
Animating cameras ......................................................................................................... 536Tutorial: Animating darts hitting a dartboard ................................................................. 536Animating lights ............................................................................................................. 537Animating materials ....................................................................................................... 538Creating Image File Lists ................................................................................................ 538Generating IFL files with the IFL Manager Utility ........................................................... 539Tutorial: What’s on TV? ................................................................................................. 539
Working with Previews ............................................................................................................ 541Creating previews ........................................................................................................... 541Viewing previews ........................................................................................................... 543Renaming previews ........................................................................................................ 543
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 543
Chapter 21: Animating with Constraints and Simple Controllers . . . . . . 545Restricting Movement with Constraints .................................................................................... 545
Using constraints ............................................................................................................ 546Working with the constraints ......................................................................................... 546
Understanding Controller Types ............................................................................................... 556Assigning Controllers ............................................................................................................... 556
Automatically assigned controllers ................................................................................. 556Assigning controllers with the Animation menu ............................................................. 557Assigning controllers in the Motion panel ...................................................................... 558Assigning controllers in the Track View.......................................................................... 558Setting default controllers ............................................................................................... 559
Examining Some Simple Controllers ......................................................................................... 559Noise controller .............................................................................................................. 560Spring controller ............................................................................................................ 561
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 564
Chapter 22: Rendering a Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 565Render Parameters .................................................................................................................... 565
Initiating a render job ..................................................................................................... 566Common parameters ...................................................................................................... 567E-mail notifications ........................................................................................................ 571Adding pre-render and post-render scripts ..................................................................... 571Assigning renderers ........................................................................................................ 571Scanline A-Buffer renderer ............................................................................................. 572
Rendering Preferences .............................................................................................................. 574Using the Rendered Frame Window ......................................................................................... 575
Using the Render Types .................................................................................................. 576Previewing with ActiveShade .......................................................................................... 578
Using the RAM Player ............................................................................................................... 578Using Command-Line Rendering .............................................................................................. 581Creating Panoramic Images ...................................................................................................... 582
xxii
Contents
Getting Printer Help ................................................................................................................. 582Creating an Environment .......................................................................................................... 583
Defining the rendered environment ................................................................................ 583Summary .................................................................................................................................. 585
Part VI: Advanced Modeling 587
Chapter 23: Building Complex Scenes with XRefs and Using Asset Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 589
Referencing External Objects .................................................................................................... 589Using XRef scenes .......................................................................................................... 590Using XRef objects ......................................................................................................... 593Using material XRefs ...................................................................................................... 596Merging modifiers .......................................................................................................... 596Using proxies ................................................................................................................. 596Controller XRefs ............................................................................................................. 596Configuring XRef paths .................................................................................................. 597
Setting Up Asset Tracking ......................................................................................................... 597Checking in and checking out ........................................................................................ 598Using the Asset Tracking interface .................................................................................. 598Logging in ...................................................................................................................... 598Selecting a working folder .............................................................................................. 599Getting and adding Vault files ........................................................................................ 599Loading older file versions .............................................................................................. 600Changing asset paths ...................................................................................................... 600Working with proxies .................................................................................................... 601
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 601
Chapter 24: Working with the Schematic View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 603Using the Schematic View Window .......................................................................................... 603
The Graph Editors menu options ................................................................................... 603The Schematic View interface ......................................................................................... 604Working with Schematic View nodes ............................................................................. 607
Working with Hierarchies ........................................................................................................ 612Using the Display floater ................................................................................................ 612Connecting nodes .......................................................................................................... 613Copying modifiers and materials between nodes ............................................................ 613Assigning controllers and wiring parameters .................................................................. 614Tutorial: Linking a character with the Schematic View ................................................... 614
Setting Schematic View Preferences .......................................................................................... 615Limiting nodes ............................................................................................................... 616Working with grids and backgrounds ............................................................................ 617Display preferences ........................................................................................................ 617Tutorial: Adding a background image to the Schematic View ......................................... 618
Using List Views ....................................................................................................................... 619Summary .................................................................................................................................. 620
xxiii
Contents
Chapter 25: Deforming Surfaces and Using the Mesh Modifiers . . . . . . 621The Basics of Deformation Painting .......................................................................................... 621
Painting deformations .................................................................................................... 621Accessing brush presets .................................................................................................. 623
Using the Deformation Brushes ................................................................................................ 624Controlling the deformation direction ............................................................................ 624Limiting the deformation ................................................................................................ 624Committing any changes ................................................................................................ 624Using the Relax and Revert brushes ................................................................................ 624Tutorial: Adding veins to a forearm ................................................................................ 624
Setting Painter Options ............................................................................................................. 626Primitive Maintenance Modifiers .............................................................................................. 627
Edit Mesh modifier ......................................................................................................... 627Edit Poly modifier .......................................................................................................... 627
Edit Geometry Modifiers ........................................................................................................... 628Cap Holes modifier ........................................................................................................ 628Delete Mesh modifier ..................................................................................................... 628Extrude modifier ............................................................................................................ 628Face Extrude modifier .................................................................................................... 629Tutorial: Extruding a bullet ............................................................................................ 629ProOptimizer modifier ................................................................................................... 631Tutorial: Creating a low-res hand ................................................................................... 632Quadify Mesh modifier................................................................................................... 633Smooth modifier ............................................................................................................ 634Symmetry modifier ......................................................................................................... 634Tutorial: Creating symmetrical antlers ............................................................................ 635Tessellate modifier .......................................................................................................... 635Vertex Weld modifier ..................................................................................................... 635
Miscellaneous Modifiers ........................................................................................................... 636Edit Normals .................................................................................................................. 636Normal modifier ............................................................................................................. 638STL Check modifier ....................................................................................................... 638
Subdivision Surface Modifiers ................................................................................................... 638MeshSmooth modifier .................................................................................................... 638TurboSmooth modifier ................................................................................................... 638Tutorial: Smoothing a birdbath ...................................................................................... 638HSDS modifier ............................................................................................................... 639
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 640
Chapter 26: Working with Compound Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 641Understanding Compound Object Types .................................................................................. 641Morphing Objects ..................................................................................................................... 642
Creating Morph keys ...................................................................................................... 642Morph objects versus the Morph modifier ...................................................................... 643Tutorial: Morphing a woman’s face ................................................................................ 643
Creating Conform Objects ........................................................................................................ 644Setting a vertex projection direction ............................................................................... 645Tutorial: Placing a facial scar .......................................................................................... 646
xxiv
Contents
Creating a ShapeMerge Object .................................................................................................. 647Cookie Cutter and Merge options ................................................................................... 647Tutorial: Using the ShapeMerge compound object ......................................................... 648
Creating a Terrain Object ......................................................................................................... 649Coloring elevations ......................................................................................................... 650Tutorial: Creating an island with the Terrain compound object ...................................... 650
Using the Mesher Object .......................................................................................................... 652Working with BlobMesh Objects .............................................................................................. 652
Setting BlobMesh parameters.......................................................................................... 653Tutorial: Creating icy geometry with BlobMesh .............................................................. 653
Creating a Scatter Object .......................................................................................................... 654Working with Source objects ......................................................................................... 655Working with Distribution objects ................................................................................. 656Setting Transforms ......................................................................................................... 657Speeding updates with a proxy ....................................................................................... 657Loading and saving presets ............................................................................................. 657Tutorial: Covering the island with trees .......................................................................... 657
Creating Connect Objects ......................................................................................................... 658Filling object holes ......................................................................................................... 659Tutorial: Creating a park bench ...................................................................................... 659
Creating a Loft Object ............................................................................................................... 660Using the Get Shape and Get Path buttons ..................................................................... 660Controlling surface parameters ....................................................................................... 661Changing path parameters .............................................................................................. 661Setting skin parameters .................................................................................................. 662Tutorial: Designing a slip-proof hanger .......................................................................... 663Deforming Loft objects ................................................................................................... 663The Deformation window interface ................................................................................ 664Scale Deformation .......................................................................................................... 666Twist Deformation ......................................................................................................... 667Teeter Deformation ........................................................................................................ 667Bevel Deformation .......................................................................................................... 667Fit Deformation .............................................................................................................. 668Modifying Loft subobjects .............................................................................................. 669Comparing shapes .......................................................................................................... 670Editing Loft paths ........................................................................................................... 670Tutorial: Creating drapes ................................................................................................ 671Loft objects versus surface tools...................................................................................... 671
Working with ProBoolean and ProCutter Objects ..................................................................... 672Using ProBoolean ........................................................................................................... 672Tutorial: Creating a keyhole ........................................................................................... 675Using ProCutter ............................................................................................................. 676Tutorial: Creating a jigsaw puzzle ................................................................................... 676
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 677
Chapter 27: Modeling with Patches and NURBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 679Introducing Patch Grids ........................................................................................................... 679
Creating a patch grid ...................................................................................................... 680Tutorial: Creating a checkerboard .................................................................................. 680
xxv
Contents
Editing Patches ......................................................................................................................... 681Editable patches versus the Edit Patch modifier .............................................................. 682Selecting patch subobjects .............................................................................................. 682Working with Patch Geometry ....................................................................................... 684Editing vertices ............................................................................................................... 685Editing handles .............................................................................................................. 688Editing edges .................................................................................................................. 689Editing patch and element subobjects ............................................................................ 691Tutorial: Creating a maple leaf from patches .................................................................. 693
Using Modifiers on Patch Objects ............................................................................................. 694Patch Select modifier ...................................................................................................... 695Edit Patch modifier ........................................................................................................ 695Delete Patch modifier ..................................................................................................... 695Using the Surface tools ................................................................................................... 695
Creating NURBS Curves and Surfaces ....................................................................................... 698NURBS curves ................................................................................................................ 699NURBS surfaces .............................................................................................................. 700Converting objects to NURBS ......................................................................................... 701
Editing NURBS ......................................................................................................................... 701Summary .................................................................................................................................. 702
Chapter 28: Adding and Styling Hair and Fur, and Using Cloth . . . . . . . 703Understanding Hair .................................................................................................................. 703Working with Hair ................................................................................................................... 704
Growing hair .................................................................................................................. 704Setting hair properties .................................................................................................... 705Tutorial: Adding a spline fringe to a quilt ....................................................................... 707
Styling Hair .............................................................................................................................. 709Using the Style interface ................................................................................................. 709Tutorial: Creating a set of fuzzy dice............................................................................... 711Using hair presets ........................................................................................................... 712Using hair instances ....................................................................................................... 713
Rendering Hair ......................................................................................................................... 714Understanding Cloth ................................................................................................................ 715Creating Cloth .......................................................................................................................... 715
Using Garment Maker to define cloth ............................................................................. 715Creating cloth from geometry objects ............................................................................. 717Tutorial: Clothing a 3D model ........................................................................................ 718
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 720
Part VII: Advanced Materials 721
Chapter 29: Using Specialized Material Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 723Using the Matte/Shadow Material ............................................................................................. 723
Matte/Shadow Basic Parameters rollout .......................................................................... 724Tutorial: Adding 3D objects to a scene ........................................................................... 724
Using the Ink ’n’ Paint Material ................................................................................................. 725Controlling paint and ink ............................................................................................... 726Tutorial: Cartooning a turtle ........................................................................................... 726
xxvi
Contents
Using Architectural Materials .................................................................................................... 727Using the DirectX Shader Material ............................................................................................ 728Using mental ray Materials and Shaders .................................................................................... 729
Understanding shaders ................................................................................................... 730Accessing mental ray materials and shaders .................................................................... 730Using the Arch & Design materials ................................................................................. 732Using the ProMaterials ................................................................................................... 734Using the Car Paint material ........................................................................................... 734Combining bump and displacement maps ..................................................................... 735Using the Subsurface Scattering materials ....................................................................... 735
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 735
Chapter 30: Painting in the Viewport Canvas and Rendering Surface Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 737
Using the Viewport Canvas ....................................................................................................... 737Setting up an object for painting .................................................................................... 738Using the Paint and Clone brushes ................................................................................. 739Selecting a different brush .............................................................................................. 739Capturing a view ............................................................................................................ 740Tutorial: Face painting ................................................................................................... 741
Using Vertex Colors .................................................................................................................. 742Assigning vertex colors ................................................................................................... 742Painting vertices with the Vertex Paint modifier ............................................................. 742Tutorial: Marking heart tension ...................................................................................... 744The Assign Vertex Color utility ....................................................................................... 745
Rendering Surface Maps ........................................................................................................... 745Rendering UV Templates .......................................................................................................... 747Summary .................................................................................................................................. 748
Chapter 31: Unwrapping UVs and Mapping Textures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 749Mapping Modifiers ................................................................................................................... 749
UVW Map modifier ........................................................................................................ 750Tutorial: Using the UVW Map modifier to apply decals .................................................. 750UVW Mapping Add and Clear modifiers ........................................................................ 752UVW XForm modifier .................................................................................................... 752Map Scaler modifier ....................................................................................................... 753Camera Map modifier ..................................................................................................... 753
Using the Unwrap UVW Modifier ............................................................................................. 753The Edit UVWs interface ................................................................................................ 753Tutorial: Controlling the mapping of a covered wagon ................................................... 759Relaxing vertices ............................................................................................................. 762Using the Quick Planar Map........................................................................................... 763Mapping multiple objects ............................................................................................... 763Tutorial: Creating a mapping for a fighter plane ............................................................. 763Using the Spline mapping .............................................................................................. 765Tutorial: Spline mapping a snake ................................................................................... 766
Using Pelt Mapping .................................................................................................................. 767Selecting seams .............................................................................................................. 768Positioning the projection gizmo .................................................................................... 769
xxvii
Contents
Stretching the pelt mapping ........................................................................................... 769Tutorial: Using pelt mapping .......................................................................................... 771
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 772
Chapter 32: Creating Baked Textures and Normal Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . 773Using Channels ........................................................................................................................ 773
Using the Map Channel Info dialog box ......................................................................... 774Select by Channel modifier ............................................................................................. 775
Rendering to a Texture ............................................................................................................. 775General Settings ............................................................................................................. 776Selecting objects to bake................................................................................................. 776Output settings .............................................................................................................. 777Baked Material and Automatic Mapping settings ............................................................ 778Tutorial: Baking the textures for a dog model ................................................................. 778
Creating Normal Maps .............................................................................................................. 779Using the Projection modifier ......................................................................................... 780Setting Projection Mapping options ................................................................................ 780Tutorial: Creating a normal map for a spikey sphere ...................................................... 781
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 782
Part VIII: Advanced Animation Techniques 783
Chapter 33: Using Animation Modifiers and Complex Controllers . . . . . 785Baking Animation Keys with the Point Cache Modifier ............................................................. 785
Tutorial: Trees in a hurricane ......................................................................................... 786Using the Animation Modifiers ................................................................................................. 787
Morpher modifier ........................................................................................................... 787Tutorial: Morphing facial expressions ............................................................................. 789Using the Flex modifier .................................................................................................. 789Melt modifier ................................................................................................................. 793PatchDeform and SurfDeform modifiers ......................................................................... 793Tutorial: Deforming a car going over a hill ..................................................................... 794PathDeform modifier ...................................................................................................... 795Linked XForm modifier .................................................................................................. 795SplineIK Control modifier .............................................................................................. 796Attribute Holder modifier ............................................................................................... 796
Examining Complex Controllers ............................................................................................... 796Transform controllers ..................................................................................................... 797Position track controllers ................................................................................................ 798Rotation and Scale track controllers................................................................................ 803Parameter controllers ..................................................................................................... 804
Summary .................................................................................................................................. 811
Chapter 34: Animating with the Expression Controller and Wiring Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 813
Working with Expressions in Spinners ..................................................................................... 813Understanding the Expression Controller Interface ................................................................... 814
Defining variables ........................................................................................................... 815Building expressions ....................................................................................................... 816
xxviii
Contents
Debugging and evaluating expressions ........................................................................... 816Managing expressions .................................................................................................... 817Tutorial: Creating following eyes .................................................................................... 818
Using Expression Controllers .................................................................................................... 819Animating transforms with the Expression controller ..................................................... 819Animating parameters with the Float Expression controller ............................................ 820Tutorial: Inflating a balloon ............................................................................................ 820Animating materials with the Expression controller ........................................................ 820
Wiring Parameters .................................................................................................................... 821Using the Parameter Wiring dialog box .......................................................................... 821Manipulator helpers ....................................................................................................... 823Tutorial: Controlling a crocodile’s bite............................................................................ 823
Collecting Parameters ............................................................................................................... 824Adding Custom Parameters ...................................................................................................... 827Summary .................................................................................................................................. 829
Chapter 35: Working with Function Curves in the Track View . . . . . . . . 831Learning the Track View Interface ............................................................................................ 831
The Track View layouts .................................................................................................. 832Track View menus and toolbars ..................................................................................... 833Controller and Key panes ............................................................................................... 839Lower interface toolbars ................................................................................................. 840
Working with Keys ................................................................................................................... 841Selecting keys ................................................................................................................. 842Using soft selection ........................................................................................................ 842Adding and deleting keys ............................................................................................... 843Moving, sliding, and scaling keys ................................................................................... 843Editing keys ................................................................................................................... 843Using the Randomize Keys utility ................................................................................... 843Using the Euler Filter utility ........................................................................................... 844Displaying keyable icons ................................................................................................ 844
Editing Time ............................................................................................................................. 845Selecting time and the Select Keys by Time utility .......................................................... 846Deleting, cutting, copying, and pasting time ................................................................... 846Reversing, inserting, and scaling time ............................................................................. 846Setting ranges ................................................................................................................. 846
Editing Curves .......................................................................................................................... 846Inserting new keys and moving keys .............................................................................. 847Tutorial: Animating a monorail ...................................................................................... 847Drawing curves .............................................................................................................. 850Reducing keys ................................................................................................................ 850Working with tangents ................................................................................................... 851Tutorial: Animating a flowing river ................................................................................. 852Applying out-of-range, ease, and multiplier curves ......................................................... 853Tutorial: Animating a wind-up teapot ............................................................................ 855
Filtering Tracks and Creating Track Sets................................................................................... 857Using the Filters dialog box ............................................................................................ 857Creating a Track Set ....................................................................................................... 858