How to Cheat in 3ds Max 2015: Get Spectacular Results Fast 1st Edition

I found this book to be quite interesting, but it’s also very specific to the 3ds Max package. How to Cheat in 3ds Max 2015: Get Spectacular Results Fast by Michael McCarthy has about 15 chapters focusing on various aspects of the 3d modeling process. It probably only took me about a week to read the text, which I don’t mind at all. Not every book has to be a 1000 page tome. I actually find it refreshing to read short books, especially if the author can impart a deal of knowledge in a quick span of time. How to Cheat in 3ds Max 2015 was one of those books.Included in the 328 page copy are some very essential topics in the creation of art in 3ds Max: customizing the UI, navigating the scene and transforming objects, basic modeling, character modeling, materials, lighting and shadows, reflections, animation, MAXScript, rendering, plug-ins, special effects, and more. Not a bad amount of coverage, though many of the chapters are not extensive.If you’re using 3ds Max, I think this is a decent addition to your library. It covers some specific things well, and gives you enough information to know what to search for to find out more. I especially liked the chapter on how to make an object fracture and then fall into pieces using physics. It also shows you what tools there are (sometime even 3rd party plug-ins) and does give you a good idea of what’s possible if you’re new to Max. However, if you are using a different 3d package, the book may not be as useful.What I wish is that there were more general 3d art and modeling books out there. I’ve already read Digital Modeling by William Vaughan and it was amazing, but sort of a one-of-a-kind. Too many of the books out there seem to focus on one particular toolset and don’t try to abstract the concepts into something more widely applicable. Clearly, the basic foundation of modeling and texturing techniques are not all that different with different programs. The buttons or methods may be different, but the thought process is very similar. I can’t knock this book for that, though, it’s just more of a general musing on the subject.Overall I thought How to Cheat in 3ds Max 2015 was a competent book, and achieves what it set out to do. I feel like it would probably be useful for beginner 3d artists trying to up their game, but maybe as a 2nd or 3rd book. The chapters each have a sort of “cookbook” feel to them, so I think some other books do a better job of building on top of previous chapters in a more cohesive manner. However, I don’t think that was the goal here, so I won’t penalize the author. All in all: not bad.

Presentation Design and Layout is poor, as well as typeface. Images are low-quality and don't match the page you are at while reading.I have bought many hardcover books from Focal Press and they are well structured and organized, as well as a motivating design for inspiring you to go through the content.I want to be very clear that this review is only for the Kindle Content Design and not the book content itself. I bought it because I am sure that I will find lots of useful information to apply on my 3D Visualizations.As a conclusion, Kindle should consider revamp the Design of their products so they give the reader a better experience and motivate them to continue buying their products.Thank you

Not impressed with this book. Might be good for someone with a higher background of 3 D Max.

Not really what I was looking for !

Took class to learn 3d and this book leaped me forward ahead of the rest of the class. Easy to follow and use.

This was a pretty good book, but it was laid out for hardcopy books that allow you to see 2 pages at once. You should be able to do this will most books and most kindle platforms, but not with this book. So, even if you have PC version of kindle, an android verson (LG and Samsung) of the kindle app, an Iphone app, and LG4 app, an original version of the kindle, the kindle fire, the kindle paperwhite, or somehow access to the cloud reader (not shown as a delivery option), you will still not be apple to read this the way it was intended. It will not display 2 pages across; I tried with my 7 different kindle platforms. It will not even load on the cloud reader or the paperwhite. I would blame the publisher, not Amazon. Just convert it to a pdf, the convert the pdf to a kindle book with the free tools amazon provides. If you are the author and self published; do some homework. Oh, the only fix I see is to have 2 PC's next to each other on even and odd pages. Let me know if there is a better way other than ordering the paper version (old school).

This is a great book with a lot of information for intermediate users of 3DS Max. The lessons are very practical, short and easy to follow. I've seen Michael McCarthy's lessons in 3D Artist & 3D World as well and they're always very helpful. I would recommend it to any 3DS Max user wanting to improve their capabilities.

Fantastic resource for max users!!! While there are a good couple of beginner basic chapters, the book is actually geared toward max users that know the basics and want to pick up some more intermediate or advanced tips or cheats. I discovered a lot of awesome tricks that I didn't know about before. Well worth the money in my opinion.