1.

Introduction to 3ds Max o Go to Command Panel > Create > Summary Table:
Geometry
3ds Max is a professional 3D modeling, animation, and rendering 3ds Max Blender
software developed by Autodesk. It is widely used in: Task Notes
o Choose standard primitives (Box, Shortcut Shortcut
Sphere, Cylinder, etc.)
• Game development Create Command Basic shapes to start
Shift + A
o Click and drag in the viewport to create Object Panel modeling
• Film production

• In Blender:
Select
Q
Left/Right Use Ctrl/Shift to multi-

• Architectural visualization
Object Click select

o Press Shift + A → Mesh → Choose

Key Features: Move Move along axis using
(Cube, UV Sphere, etc.) W G
Object X, Y, Z

• Polygonal modeling tools for creating complex 3D o The object appears at the 3D cursor
models Rotate Use angle input for
location E R
Object precision

• Modifiers to non-destructively edit geometry

Tip: These basic shapes can be modified later using modeling tools
(edit mode in Blender, modifiers in 3ds Max). Scale Scale uniformly or on
R S
Object axes
• Powerful animation tools like keyframes, timeline, and
graph editor
1. Animation
4. Selecting Objects

• Rendering using Arnold or V-Ray

Selecting is the first step before transforming or editing objects.
Animation in 3D software means creating motion or change over
time, typically using keyframes.
Interface Overview:
• 3ds Max:

• Command Panel (right): Create and modify objects

o Use the Select Object Tool (Q) or click In 3ds Max:
directly
• Viewport (center): 3D scene visualization Key Concepts:

o Drag a box around objects or use Ctrl to

• Timeline (bottom): Animation control select multiple • Timeline: Shows frames (default 0–100).

• Main Toolbar (top): Tools like move, rotate, scale o Use Name Selection, Layer Explorer for • Auto Key: Automatically records changes.
complex scenes

• Set Key: Manually records keyframes.

2. Introduction to Blender
• Blender:

• Transform changes (Move, Rotate, Scale) are recorded

Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation suite that supports: o Right-click or left-click (depending on as animation.
settings) to select

• Modeling
o B for box select, C for circle select
Steps to Animate:

1. Select the Object you want to animate.

• Sculpting
o Use Outliner to select objects by name
2. Turn on Auto Key (bottom of screen turns red).
• Animation o Shift + click to multi-select
3. Go to Frame 0 on the timeline → set starting position.

• Rendering Tip: Selection modes can also include vertices, edges, or faces in Edit
4. Go to Frame 30 (or any number) → move/rotate/scale
Mode for mesh editing.
the object.
• VFX, Video editing, and Game engine (limited)
5. 3ds Max automatically creates keyframes.
Key Features: 5. Transforming Objects
6. Press Play to preview the animation.

• Sculpting and mesh editing

Transformation refers to Move, Rotate, and Scale — the basic ways
Example:
to change object position, orientation, and size.

• Grease Pencil for 2D/3D hybrid animation In 3ds Max:

Animate a bouncing ball:

• Eevee (real-time) and Cycles (ray-tracing) renderers • Move Tool (W) → Drag the arrows to move on axes
• Frame 0: Ball at top

• Cross-platform and community-supported • Rotate Tool (E) → Rotate around X, Y, Z axes

• Frame 10: Ball at bottom

Interface Overview:
• Scale Tool (R) → Uniform or axis-based scaling
• Frame 20: Ball at top again

• Viewport (center) •
• Use Transform Type-In dialog for numeric input
Add squash/stretch to show realism

• Tool Shelf (left) In Blender:

In Blender:
• Outliner (right) – shows scene hierarchy • G = Grab/Move
Key Concepts:
• Properties Editor – controls object settings, modifiers, • R = Rotate
materials • Timeline & Dope Sheet: Timeline shows keyframes;
• S = Scale Dope Sheet allows editing them.
• Timeline – animation control

• Press X, Y, or Z after to constrain the axis • Keyframes: Record object properties over time.

3. Creating Objects • Hold Shift to restrict axis (e.g., move on all but X) • Insert Keyframe: I key → choose what to animate
(Location, Rotation, Scale)
In both 3ds Max and Blender, creating objects means adding basic 3D Tip: Combine with numbers (e.g., G X 5) to move exactly 5 units on
shapes called primitives. the X-axis. Steps to Animate:

• In 3ds Max:
1. Select an object (e.g., Cube).

2. Go to Frame 1 → press I → Insert Location keyframe.

 3. Go to Frame 30 → move the object → press I again → o Add Mirror to work symmetrically In 3ds Max:
Insert Location.
Example: Types of Cameras:
4. Press Spacebar to play the animation.

Example:
To shape a cube into a chair: • Free Camera – Independent movement.

To animate a cube sliding left to right: • In Edit Mode → select top face → Delete • Target Camera – Always looks at a target point.

• Frame 1: Cube on left → I → Location • Select side faces → Extrude to form backrest and seat Steps to Add Camera:

1. Go to Create > Cameras.

• Frame 30: Cube on right → Move → I → Location
2. Choose Target or Free.
Final Quick Recap:

3. Place in the scene by clicking and dragging.

Topic 3ds Max Blender
2. Modifying/Editing Objects
4. Use Perspective View → Camera View (C) to see
This refers to changing the shape or structure of objects, not just their Auto Key, Set Key, Keyframes (I), Timeline, Dope through it.
Animation
position or size. Timeline Sheet
5. Adjust FOV (Field of View), lens, depth of field in
Modify Panel.
Editable Poly,
Edit Edit Mode,
Modifiers (Bend,
In 3ds Max: Objects Vertices/Edges/Faces, Modifiers Example:
Twist)
Use a target camera for a smooth animation of an object in motion.
Tools:
1. Compound Objects (12 Marks)

• Modifiers Panel (on the right) Definition: In Blender:

Compound objects are advanced 3D models created by combining

• Convert to Editable Poly for mesh editing

two or more objects or using special operations like Boolean,
ProBoolean, Scatter, Morph, etc.
Steps to Add Camera:

1. Press Shift + A → Camera.

• Use Vertex, Edge, Polygon sub-object levels
2. Press 0 (Numpad) to enter camera view.
Steps: In 3ds Max:
3. Select camera → use G (grab) and R (rotate) to adjust.
1. Select object (e.g., Box) Types of Compound Objects:
4. In Properties → Camera tab, change lens settings,
2. Right-click → Convert to Editable Poly 1. Boolean – Add or subtract objects (Union, Subtract, depth of field, etc.
Intersect).
3. In Modify panel, choose sub-object: Vertex, Edge, 5. For animation, insert keyframes for camera movement
Border, Polygon, Element 2. ProBoolean – Enhanced version of Boolean. (I → Location/Rotation).

4. Select vertices or faces and use move, scale tools to 3. Scatter – Distributes an object over another surface. Example:
shape Animate a camera panning across a landscape using keyframes.
4. Morph – Transforms an object into another over time.
5. Apply Modifiers like:
Steps to Use Boolean:
o Bend: Curves the object 3. Light Effects (12 Marks)
1. Create two objects (e.g., Box and Sphere).

o Twist: Twists along an axis 2. Select the main object → Go to Compound Objects in
Definition:
Lights are used to illuminate 3D scenes. Different light types simulate
Create panel. different real-world lighting conditions.
o Taper, FFD (Free Form Deform) etc.
3. Choose Boolean → Pick Operand B.
Example:
4. Choose operation (Union, Subtract, etc.).
In 3ds Max:
To bend a pipe:
Example:
Types of Lights:
• Create a cylinder → Apply Bend Modifier → Adjust
Create a hole in a box using a sphere and Boolean → Subtract.

angle and direction • Standard Lights: Omni, Spot, Directional

In Blender: • Photometric Lights: Real-world lighting with intensity,

In Blender: decay
Blender uses Modifiers for compound-like operations.

Tools: Steps:
Steps:
1. Go to Create → Lights → Standard/Photometric.
• Edit Mode (Tab to switch from Object mode) 1. Add two objects (e.g., Cube and Cylinder).
2. Choose a light type (e.g., Omni).
2. Select Cube → go to Modifier tab → Add Boolean
• Mesh elements: Vertices, Edges, Faces Modifier. 3. Place in the scene.

• Modifiers like Subdivision, Mirror, Boolean 3. Set Operation (Difference, Union, Intersect). 4. Adjust color, intensity, shadows in Modify Panel.

Steps: 4. Choose the second object as target. 5. Use Shadow parameters and Falloff for realism.

1. Select object → Press Tab to enter Edit Mode 5. Apply the modifier. Light Effects:

Example:
2. Use 1/2/3 to switch between Vertex, Edge, Face
Cut a hole in a cube using a cylinder (Boolean Difference). • Shadows

3. Select and move (G), scale (S), or extrude (E) mesh

elements • Intensity and color

2. Cameras (12 Marks)

4. To use a Modifier:
• Volume light (for fog or beams)
Definition:
o Go to Modifier tab (wrench icon) in
Cameras in 3D software define the point of view through which the Example:
Properties Use Spot Light with shadows for dramatic lighting in a room.
scene is rendered or viewed. They simulate real-world camera
behavior.
o Add Subdivision Surface for smoothing
 In Blender:
• Eevee – real-time, fast, good for previews

Types of Lights: In Blender:

• Cycles – ray-traced, realistic lighting and shadows
➤ Material Properties:
• Point – Emits light in all directions.
➤ Steps:

• Sun – Infinite directional light.

• Use Principled BSDF Shader (Physically Based Shader).
1. Set up scene → Choose camera view.

• Spot – Focused beam of light.

• Control Base Color, Roughness, Metallic, etc. 2. Go to Render Properties → select Eevee or Cycles.

➤ Steps: 3. Set resolution, samples, and output path.

• Area – Flat light source.
1. Select object → go to Material tab. 4. Press F12 for image or Ctrl + F12 for animation.
Steps:
2. Click New Material. ➤ Special Effects in Blender:
1. Press Shift + A → Light → Choose type.

2. Select the light → adjust properties in Light tab.

3. Use Shader Editor to connect image textures using
nodes.
• Bloom – glow around bright areas (Eevee only)

3. Control Power, Color, Radius, and Shadow options. 4. Add Image Texture Node → connect to Base Color. • Ambient Occlusion – adds contact shadows

•
4. Use Cycles Renderer for realistic shadows and effects. 5. For bump effects, use Bump Node connected to
Volumetrics – fog, light beams
Normal Input.
5. Enable Volumetric Lighting for fog and rays.
➤ Common Maps: • Compositing – add effects post-render (e.g., glare, lens
Example: flares)
Use a Spot Light with high intensity and shadows for dramatic effects
in character lighting. • Base Color – surface color or image
• Particles & Physics – fire, smoke, hair, cloth

• Roughness – controls glossiness Example:

Render a glowing sword in a foggy cave using Bloom and Volumetric
Summary Table
• Normal/Bump – fake surface depth Fog in Eevee.

Topic 3ds Max Blender

• Alpha – transparency
Compound Boolean, ProBoolean, Boolean Modifier (Union, Summary Table
Example:
Objects Scatter Subtract)
Apply wood texture as Base Color, add bump node for grain texture.
Topic 3ds Max Blender
Target & Free, FOV, Shift + A → Camera,
Cameras
Depth of Field Numpad 0, Animate Materials & Material Editor (M), Shader Editor, BSDF Shader,
2. Rendering & Special Effects (12 Marks) Maps Diffuse, Bump, Opacity Texture Nodes
Omni, Spot, Point, Sun, Spot, Area,
Lighting
Directional, Shadows Volumetric Definition: Render Setup (F10), F12 (image), Ctrl + F12
Rendering is the process of generating a final image or animation Rendering
Arnold/V-Ray (animation), Cycles or Eevee
from a 3D scene with lighting, materials, and camera views.
1. Maps and Materials (12 Marks)
Special effects (VFX) enhance realism by adding fog, glow, shadows,
Special Fog, Glow, Motion Blur, Bloom, Volumetrics,
Definition: motion blur, fire, smoke, etc.
Effects Particles Compositor, Particles
Materials define an object’s surface appearance (color, texture,
reflectivity, transparency), while Maps are images or patterns applied
to control specific material properties like bumpiness, shininess, or
color. In 3ds Max:

➤ Rendering Process:

In 3ds Max: • Renderer: Arnold, Scanline, or V-Ray

➤ Material Editor (Shortcut: M):

• Go to Rendering > Render Setup (F10)

• Standard Material: Default material type. ➤ Steps:

• Control Diffuse (color), Specular (shine), Opacity, 1. Set camera view or perspective.
Bump.
2. Press F10 → choose resolution, frame range (for
animation).
➤ Steps to Apply Material:

3. Choose renderer (e.g., Arnold).

1. Open Material Editor (M).

4. Click Render to generate image or animation.

2. Select a slot → Choose Standard Material.

3. Set Diffuse Color or load a Bitmap (image texture). ➤ Special Effects:

4. Drag material to object in the viewport. • Environment Effects: Add fog, volume light

5. Click Show Shaded Material in Viewport to see effect.

• Lens Effects: Glow, glare
➤ Common Map Types:
• Motion Blur: Simulates fast motion
• Diffuse Map – base texture or color
• Particle Systems: Add rain, fire, smoke
• Bump Map – simulates surface detail (e.g., roughness)
Example:
Render a car scene with motion blur and headlight glow using Lens
• Specular Map – controls highlights Effects.

• Opacity Map – makes parts transparent

Example: In Blender:
Apply a brick image as a Diffuse Map and a bump texture for surface
roughness on a wall. ➤ Rendering Engines: