3ds Max is a professional 3D computer graphics program for making 3D animations, models, games, and images. It is developed and produced by Autodesk Inc., primarily used in industries like film, television, video games, architecture, and industrial design.
History
- Origins: The software was originally created by Gary Yost and The Yost Group in the early 1990s, initially named 3D Studio. It was first released for the DOS platform.
- Acquisition by Autodesk: In 1995, Kinetix (a division of Autodesk) bought the product, renaming it to 3D Studio MAX to avoid confusion with the older version. Later, it was simplified to 3ds Max.
- Evolution: Over the years, 3ds Max has seen numerous versions with significant updates. Notable versions include:
- 3D Studio MAX R2 (1996) - Introduced advanced modeling tools.
- 3D Studio MAX R3 (1998) - Added support for NURBS modeling.
- 3ds Max 2008 - Introduced the Slate Material Editor for more complex material creation.
- 3ds Max 2016 - Enhanced viewport performance and new rendering capabilities.
Features
- Modeling: Offers tools for polygonal, NURBS, and patch modeling, as well as extensive mesh editing capabilities.
- Animation: Includes keyframe and procedural animation, character studio for bipedal animation, and dynamics for physical simulations.
- Rendering: Supports various rendering engines like Arnold Renderer, V-Ray, and Mental Ray. It also has built-in ActiveShade for real-time rendering.
- Scripting and Customization: Uses MAXScript, its own scripting language, which allows for extensive customization and automation of tasks.
- Integration: 3ds Max integrates well with other Autodesk products like Maya, MotionBuilder, and Revit, facilitating a seamless workflow in visual effects and architectural visualization.
Applications
- Film and Television: Used for creating special effects, set extensions, and digital doubles.
- Video Games: For designing game environments, characters, and animations.
- Architecture: Architects use it to create photorealistic visualizations and virtual tours.
- Industrial Design: For prototyping and visualizing products before they are manufactured.
External Links
Similar Topics