3D Studio MAX R3 Bible
3D Studio Max 3 is large, robust, and comprehensive, just like the massive3D Studio Max 3 Bible. With its 1,100 pages, including a 50-page index, it covers everything you care to know about the basic Max package.Beginning with all the new features available in release 3 (of which there are many) the book continues on to subjects such as rendering, post-production, and ways to extend the power of Max using plug-ins and Maxscript.Although a hefty book, its 41 chapters aren't padded with fluff or screen shots--in fact, more screen shots would be welcome. Each page is filled with step-by-step instructions, tips, and notes on how to use just about any feature in Max, from navigating and customizing the Max interface to basic and advanced modeling, using and controlling lights and cameras, and deformations.Not only does theMax Bibleexplain everything (there's even a whole chapter on setting up network rendering), but each chapter also has at least one, usually two, step-by-step tutorials to demonstrate the features described. The tutorials are usually very short and to the point since they are designed to demonstrate the workings of a specific feature. For example, the tutorial on using the Motion Capture controller consists of only four steps, using the example of animating a pencil over the surface of a sheet of paper. All the objects are made from primitives, and no time is wasted on modeling and texturing a realistic pencil or a paper surface.While the short tutorials are a great way to learn quickly, longer, more in-depth lessons would be helpful. The color gallery pages do offer some nice examples of high-level work, but there is no explanation of how they were created or how the artist approached the scene.The accompanying CD-ROM offers numerous models, in addition to the tutorial elements used throughout the book, plus the added bonus of a set of plug-ins for Max 3. The gear-making primitive, the toy brick-making primitive, and several rendering plug-ins (TV Image is cool) are more than worth the cost of the book.If you need a single point of reference to keep handy when working in Max,3D Studio Max 3 Bibleis a good place to start. If you buy two, you can use them to do arm curls while your version ofToy Storyis rendering.--Mike Caputo