Sams Teach Yourself 3D Studio MAX 2 in 14 Days

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Summary: Teach Yourself 3D Studio Max 2 in 14 Days
Review: Do not purchase this book if you are attempting to learn how to apply 3D Max in some kind of useful way. It has, for the most part, kept me in a constant state of confusion by way of cryptic instructions and a CD that may or may not match up with the text. Disappointing, to say the least.

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Summary: This is for beginners only!
Review: I was familiar with truespace already and thought "I'm sure I can figure max out without tutorials or reference books." I was wrong. This book gives you all the material you need to get up and going to create, modify, and conceptualize 3d ideas. I highly recommend purchasing one of the more advanced manuals in addition however, as you will want to delve into certain sections in more detail than what is presented here. The manual is dry, to the point, and unimaginative in my view, but it does what it says and that is really all that matters.

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Summary: Towering Pile of 3D Extravaganzas
Review: The action never ended with this book. I read it again and again until the front of my head caved in like an old pumpkin. It was quite a sight, the cat wouldn't cuddle for days. If this hadn't happened I would have been a store of 3-D knowledge like the world has never known. But it did . . .So here I am. Buy the book but don't read it as many times as I did.

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Summary: Pretty good, could be better
Review: This book does a decent job showing you the many possibilities of 3D Studio Max 2.5, though it doesn't do to good a job teaching it to you. The author could have applied more time to his mini-tutorials to actually make them a tad exciting, rather than making nonsense shapes. And, like the first reviewer said, there are many flaws in the book. Most of these flaws can be fixed through a little rearranging, but it gets very annoying when things on the CD don't work! Most all of the materials are gone and it seems the whole CD is messed up. All in all it's a decent book to get started, although, it's definitely not the best!

Rating:
Summary: good, but could be better
Review: This book is good as a tutorial. However, the step-by-step procedures are something that could be found elsewhere. This book is a poor reference book. One minor oversight is a lack of button pictures. If you are new to 3dsm, like me, it doesn't help a whole lot when the step-by-step directions refer to a button by name while the GUI only displays this name in a tool tip when you mouse over the button. It makes for a tedious and frustrating learning process. In short, you get what you paid for: moderate price and moderate lessons.

Rating:
Summary: good, but could be better
Review: This book is good as a tutorial. However, the step-by-step procedures are something that could be found elsewhere. This book is a poor reference book. One minor oversight is a lack of button pictures. If you are new to 3dsm, like me, it doesn't help a whole lot when the step-by-step directions refer to a button by name while the GUI only displays this name in a tool tip when you mouse over the button. It makes for a tedious and frustrating learning process. In short, you get what you paid for: moderate price and moderate lessons.

Rating:
Summary: Great book for beginners
Review: This is a damn good book for beginners. It teaches the basics. The f/x series of books will take you to the next level after understanding the basics described in this book.