Overview
In this Intermediate online 3ds Max course, you will strengthen your 3ds Max modeling skills, learning about spline modeling. You will learn to create materials and to add material textures to your 3ds Max models. In this online training class, you will also gain experience placing cameras into your scene and adding advanced lighting schemes. You will create a daytime and evening photo-realistic rendering of your course project.
Your instructor is an Autodesk Certified Instructor and also an experienced working professional who uses 3ds Max on a daily basis, meeting client deliverables and creating renderings and animations to help their clients visualize their upcoming projects.
VDCI encourages a strong online engagement between you, your instructor and your classmates. You will participate in group discussion forums, connect with your instructor and message your classmates. You are also invited to join us in the VDCI Student Lounge, where our instructors, staff, current students and alumni share information and help one another.
You will be provided source files, which you will use to start your project. You will be provided videos which will guide you through the learning process.
There will be quizzes relating to your project as well as to your reading assignments. There will be discussion forums in which you will be participating. There will be regular progress submissions of the work you completed and there will also be 1:1 time with your instructor.
Learning Objectives
- Acquire advanced modeling tools to develop a variety of objects.
- Explore advanced material and lighting settings, including the use of external images to produce photorealistic renderings.
- Construct multiple scenes and scene states to efficiently model, navigate, and render 3ds Max files.
- Build a skills toolbox for personal and professional development of image renderings.
AutoDesk Certification Objectives
CAMERAS
- Differentiate camera types
- Edit FOV (Field of View)
DATA MANAGEMENT / INTEROPERABILITY
- Differentiate common file types and usages
- Use the import feature to import model data
EFFECTS
- Use atmosphere effects
- Use particle systems
LIGHTING
- Compare Attenuation and Decay
- Identify parameters for modifying shadows
MATERIALS / SHADING
- Identify standard materials
RENDERING
- Differentiate Renderers
- Identify rendering parameters
MODELING
- Differentiate reference coordinate systems
- Differentiate workflow
- Identify Clone types Differentiate standard versus extended primitives
- Identify and use line tool creation methods Identify Vertex types
- Use object creation and modification workflows
- Use polygon modeling tools Use ProBoolean
UI / OBJECT MANAGEMENT
- Describe and use object transformations
- Identify Selection Regions and methods
- Use Viewports
- Set up and use Scenes
Prerequisites
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
- Fundamental working knowledge of the Windows environment.
- The first Autodesk 3ds Max class is also a prerequisite.
- AutoCAD or Revit knowledge is a plus but is not required.
COMPUTER HARDWARE
- In order to run 3ds Max software, your computer must meet these hardware requirements
- Access to 10 mbps Internet
Free Access to the Software
While you are a student at VDCI, you will be provided free access to the software needed to participate in your course. Throughout your studies at VDCI, it is very important that you have access to good-quality Internet bandwidth with a download speed of 10 Mbps.
Materials Required
Software
- 3ds Max
Textbook
- Autodesk 3ds Max Essentials
- For International Students, VDCI does not ship textbooks internationally. Please click here to obtain the ISBN number and order the book from Amazon in your home country.
Can I work at my own pace?
Yes. You can work at your own pace. Each course is 18 days long. You will have two weeks and three weekends to complete the course. There are set deliverable schedules which are addressed in the course syllabus.
Downloads
- Syllabus (PDF/200KB)
- Certification Objectives (PDF/200KB)
- Career Options (PDF/200KB)
Syllabus
Free Access to the Software
While you are a student at VDCI, you will be provided free access to the software needed to participate in your course. The software provided will either be downloaded directly onto your machine or you will access the software on one of our Virtual Servers. Throughout your studies at VDCI, it is very important that you have access to good-quality Internet bandwidth. It is also very important, if you are accessing our Virtual Servers, that you pay special attention to the MP4 and PDF guidance provided regarding saving your project files (datasets) onto your local machine.
Discussion Forums
There are two discussion forums for the course, the Student Forum and the Graded Forum.
The Student Forum is for you to interact with your fellow classmates, to discuss issues you are having, and get to know one other much like you would in a classroom environment.
The Graded Discussion Forum requires an initial post and a response to another student. These will be part of your final grade. Your initial discussion post is due Monday, one week from the beginning of class, by 11:55pm Pacific Time. Your second discussion post must be a response to another student, and it is due by the end of the course.
VDCI Student Lounge
The VDCI Student Lounge is open to all VDCI Students and Alumni. In the Student Lounge, you are welcome to ask general questions to your VDCI colleagues. Instructors and VDCI staff regularly chime in. This is a great center of engagement for our VDCI community.
Course Lessons
Students will receive a detailed syllabus once they are enrolled in the course.
Lesson 1 - Equivalent of seven (7) On-Site Clock Hours
Students start this advanced modeling course by learning how to use spline modeling techniques to model a cantilever chair.
- PROJECT: Cantilever Chair
- PROJECT: Wine Bottle
Lesson 2 - Equivalent of seven (7) On-Site Clock Hours
Students continue working on their lounge chair and apply materials to it.
- PROJECT: The Wall
Lesson 3 - Equivalent of eight (8) On-Site Clock Hours
Students model a coffee table and a lamp that will be used in their final model.
- PROJECT: The Rug
- PROJECT: 3-Point Lighting
- PROJECT: Lighting the Condominium
- PROJECT: The BMW
- PROJECT: Rendering the Condominium
Lesson 4 - Equivalent of eight (8) On-Site Clock Hours
Students add lighting to their condo scenes.
- PROJECT: The Bouncing Ball
- PROJECT: The Coffee Table Disaster
- PROJECT: Final Renderings of the Condominium Project
Schedule
Online Course Start Dates
Please click here to see the online course schedule. Online courses begin every three weeks, on a Friday and are 18-days long.
