Chapter 5, "Working with External Design Data," examines how you can work with other AutoCAD -based software applications more directly in with 3ds Max. You will do this by importing 2D line drawings as a starting point and use them to create 3ds Max geometry.
Chapter 6, "Creating AEC Objects," focuses on creating parametric architectural objects - wall, windows, railings, etc. If you don't have a parametric building program, you can use AEC (architectural, engineering, construction) objects to create models of buildings.
Chapter 7, "Organizing and Editing Objects," continues to work on the model you have been developing, but now explores how to organize your work using object names and layers as well as aligning one object's location based on the location of another.
Chapter 8, "Light and Shadow," will show you how you can control the appearance of the objects that you build through the manipulation of lights and shadows. It is lighting that is one of the three main elements that affect the look of your models - the other two are materials and cameras, and this chapter focuses on lighting.
Chapter 9, "Enhancing Models with Materials," examines the second of the three main elements that affect your models. In this chapter you will be introduced to both forms of the Material Editor - the Compact Material Editor and the Slate Material Editor, and how to design, edit and use materials.
Chapter 10, "Using the 3ds Max Camera," completes the last of the main elements by working with the camera. What this chapter shows you is how to set up for a virtual photo shoot. You will see how to place a camera and set up the relationship of the subject being shot and the surrounding area.
Chapter 11, "Organizing Objects and Scene Management," describes that a scene is all of the models, materials, effects, and externally referenced files contained within a single .max file. This chapter shows you how you can access and utilize your scenes while developing your renderings and animations.
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