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Rating: 
Summary: For those in the area
Review: A solid introduction to Max for those who are already aware of the area. This book explains the use of Max's wide range of tools in a tutorial format. Probably not ideal for anyone who lacks a basic understanding of 3D. This book could benifit from greater expalination of the way the tools are used. Nevertheless, well written with well set out examples.
Rating: 
Summary: Dont Waste Your Money
Review: Disjointed, confusing, hard to follow tutorials. I purchased this book so i could learn modeling in 3D Studio Max 3.0. I had assumed from the title that this book would be in depth study of modeling, boy was i wrong. The author touches briefly upon different modeling creation from games to cad model creation, nothing was in depth. Black and White Photographs that were extremely hard to see. My advice, STAY AWAY from this book and study the Tutorials inside 3DS MAX 3.0 you will have saved your self 50 bucks and much frustration.
Rating:
Summary: Book-Good, CDrom-Bad
Review: I'm a fairly advanced user of 3D Studio. I wanted info and practice on three topics; patches, NURBS, and raytracing. Of the 3 books I looked at (at a bookstore), this one had the best info on these topics. Reviewers sometimes mention a lack of depth; there's only one place to get really in-depth info on Max features, and that's the on-line help. This book is as in-depth as most, and offers what the on-line help doesn't- some insight into HOW to use settings, not just a description of the settings. My big complaint is with the CD. The exercises are misnumbered. Exercise 7.3 isn't there at all. The sample bitmaps are mostly stock photos of scenes, people, etc, not textures that will be useful in modeling. If you're fairly new to Max, this is a good book to go through after you do the book that ships with Max. It does assume a bit of prior knowledge, so it's not for a real beginner. If you're an advanced user looking for a good intro to some new areas of Max, it's certainly worth the money. If you need detailed, exhaustive info on certain topics, take a class.
Rating:
Summary: A must buy - But not a FIRST buy if you're a dummie.
Review: If you have experience with earlier 3D Studio MAX versions (or with any other 3D application - it always helpful), you can't find it dificult to follow this book. But don't buy it as your first 3D Studio MAX book. First, this book is directed for the Modeling, Material and Rendering concepts. Sometimes it make some references to commands and terms that you can't understand or just don't know were to find it. I'm a great 3D enthusias but I've never made anything serious (but I would love to - perhaps when I consolidate my MSCE+I carreer, I'll follow some 3DS MAX serious studies =). I've bought this book first and found it a bit dificult to follow. Sometimes I've spent more than 5 minutes to figure out "we're this xxxx command" or "what does it mean by xxx"? So, I've bought the "Inside 3d Studio MAX 3" (ISBN 073570905X) and all becames clear. They really complement each other. Of course, you can then follow other books like "3D Studio MAX R3 f/x and design", "3D Studio MAX R3 in depth" and the great "3D Studio MAX 3 Media Animation".. Although I don't have them yet, I'm planning to buy all them and I had a quick look at them and I also heard many good words and reviews about them. Most Newsriders books (at least the ones about 3DS MAX) are great books. But don't BUY THE 3DS MAX R3 fundamentals. I heard MOST people (from the beginner to pros) says that it sucks.
Rating: 
Summary: Not so professional
Review: If you send a CD along with a book - the files you claim to be on the CD should actually be on it! If you spend some time with the 3D Studio MAX 3 Reference Volumes, you will learn a lot more than you'll ever learn from this book, wich basically only repeats the same things found in the Reference Volumes. There are much better books on MAX out there - so this is not a good choice.
Rating:
Summary: Not so professional
Review: If you send a CD along with a book - the files you claim to be on the CD should actually be on it! If you spend some time with the 3D Studio MAX 3 Reference Volumes, you will learn a lot more than you'll ever learn from this book, wich basically only repeats the same things found in the Reference Volumes. There are much better books on MAX out there - so this is not a good choice.
Rating: 
Summary: Practicing Architect
Review: Starting as a novice in 3ds Max, and finding the max tutorials and user's books not exemplary I found Ted Boardman's book to be attuned to the practioner involved in creating the 3d pictures that an ordinary person can see and understand. His book is a "not a step by step creation procecess", but a basis on which one learns the basic principles to use and implement them for your own visualization process to creat a visual reality that others can see and understand. This involves all aspects of the 3d cretive process and his book gives you the basics to expand one's creative process. I keep it at my desk and am fortunate to be able to have it as a reference when the "going gets tough"..might take several readings, but it's all there..at least my clients are awed....and they pay me1
Rating:
Summary: Must have reference book
Review: Ted Boardman's book is a must have for my desktop. With MAX's advanced features, sometimes the possibilities are a bit overwhelming. This is where this book shines; explaining advanced (and basic) procedures in lay terms so that the digital artist can create effects with confidence. I haven't read a better source for modeling and materials yet.
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