In this little review, I want to talk to you about the all new 3ds max 2008, and some of it’s most cool features. This is a big update compared to the 3ds max 8 to 3ds max 9 update, there are some very cool features. Speed improvements, some useful tools, and Windows Vista / DirectX10 support.
Speed improvements;

n the new version of Max, Autodesk planted a cool very efficient tool; The Adaptive Degradation System. This system allows users to fully adjust how the scene is displayed. If you, for instance, would allways like to work on a keyframe rate of 15 fps or higher, the Adaptive Degradation System changes which set the viewport to wireframe, to bounding box, or even hide small and distant objects. This comes in handy when handling those multi-million polyon scenes.
If you want a small preview of what this system is capable of, check this video.

Viewport Improvements;

With 3ds Max 2008 you pretty much can forget all of the test rendering for your lightning. With Review Rendering, shadows and lights can be viewed realtime. With this, you no longer have to worry that you waited for hours on a render and have shadows in spots were you don’t want them.
This new feature also allows to view realtime reflections of the light inside of Arch and Design shaders. This feature is my personal favourite. Check here to see the video

Conclusion;

Off course, there are some more features, but those are (in my opinion) not worth spending time on, since they aren’t that special (the physical exposure control inside of mental ray for instance). For a more detailed product sheet, look here. Well the 3ds max 2008 is a very nice update, with some very cool features. I defenitely recommend updating to Max 2008, since these features can be very time saving.

Interesting:
The Security 2.0 written test 350-018 is a sign of proceedings in how enterprise clients generate highly safe business-ready networks. CompTIA’s well-run Network+ test, N10-003 helps you build good skills. Test 70-536 is essential MCTS exam for the latest Microsoft Technology Specialist as well as Professional Developer certifications. Exam 70-293 involves planning and maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network communications, is a prerequisite for MCSE certification. 70-282 test questions, new MCSE designing, organize, and executing a Network Solution for a small and medium sized business. Test 70-271 is a major prerequisite for MCDST qualifications on Microsoft Windows XP. 642-845 ONT is the basic examination for the Cisco Certified Network Professional CCNP.

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• Architectural Rendering in 3DSMAX with VRay - Icrontic.com
  If you already have some basic experience with 3dsmax, use this tutorial to learn something about Architectural Visualisation.

Interesting:
MCP Exam 70-282 is good to develop needed skills for working in a small business community. Study guides for 70-270 and the 642-892 are easily available online. The SNRS 642-503 is one of the tests related to the Cisco Certified Security Professional Level. CompTIA’s A+ 220-602 “Information Technology Technician” Test is among 2 tests required to accomplish the A+ 2006 certification. Plan, implementation, and maintenance of a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for MCSE certification is based on success in the exam 70-296. Study guides for all the above including other ccnp tests help students a lot for better performance in real world environment.

Okay, as a fun intermezzo between the rendering tutorials, let me share my list of favourite game babes with you. A lot of them are modelled with 3ds max, so that gives me the right to show some (modelled) flesh on this otherwise highly educational blog. Let’s get started … (more…)

As a 3d-artist I’m contstantly in the quest of finding new hires textures and reference images. There are some site’s which share good textures, and some which share good reference images. But this site contains them both. Over 17000 hires pictures are available for free. So if you are having some trouble finding just the correct texture to fit your model, maybe this site will help you out!

Interesting:
To find out the best 3-D web page hosting is not an easier task. Reviews of netfirms do highlight the important features which webhosting cheap services don’t provide. A cheap web hosting company focuses on low rates to attract its customers. Rather a pricey but quality web hosting focuses on providing all kinds of seo services that one might require for work at home.

A new, user made plugin is available for Vray! Dieter Morgenroth has been/is working on a plugin that will make the use of highly detailed meshes a really easy job. The plugin allows users to create a fully customizable high poly surface from a simple object such as a sphere. If you use this in combination with some lava or coral shaders then the results could get quit amazing. Just look at the techdemo. If you want some more info on this subject, check the Wikipedia page. If you want to get a hang of this plugin, check this tutorial.

In this new tutorial on CG-Heaven the basics of the “Fur” function of Vray are being explaned. This is a “must-see” tutorial for the beginning 3ds max/Vray user, but also for the more advanced users who would like to get the hang of Vray and all of it’s functions. So, check this tutorial.

The update’s are very neat, there just heading on into the details with these new features. The “accelerated performance” option is looking real good. This feature allows you to; “control how 3ds Max adjusts scene display, whether the smallest objects are hidden, or distant objects have less detail, etc., and 3ds Max calculates how best to achieve it. ” For a full list of the features, go ahead and look on the official site.
Autodesk has also put up a price reduction for those who subscribe now. So when you buy 3ds Max now, and also take a subscription, you’ll get a 450€ price reduction. And if this doesn’t sound tempting enough, since you’ve bought a subscribtion you will get 3ds Max 2008 for free. This price action is ending in October (for 3ds max).

In answer to Maxwells Mxm-gallery, the Vray users decided to make their own website exclusively for Vray materials. Here, the users can share and download a wide variety of materials. From a chrome material to a procedural magma shader, everything can be found. And since you can choose from nearly a thousand materials, so there is always something that you will be interested in.
Also be sure to check the architecture contest and if you can, compete. In the last contest the prices where a 3dconnexion spacepilot and two 3dconnexion spacenavigators and those are a real benefit for a heavy 3d user.

So, be sure to check this page, it is definitely a handy page for the vray user.

Interesting:
It’s good to learn useful tips from Vray and CSS website development tutorials before choosing a web hosting. Several web development software programs are available for advanced help. It’s not essential that each cheap web hosting company will provide you dedicated hosting, yet it’s advisable to seek the best affordable hosting services if you intend to run wifi connections and also read reviews of the leading wireless internet providers.

Take a look at this amazing piece of 3D modelling, done by JPRart - a Deviantart member. Could you tell this isn’t a picture? He recreated Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) from Pirates of the Caribbean from scratch using 3dsMax, ZBrush and Photoshop. Especially this software package called ZBrush is fascinating me. It’s a modelling engine inspired on the principles of clay modelling. You start with a simple sphere, and you push and pull the material in any direction to literally sculpt an object or face. Check out their truly impressive users gallery …

Maxwell (one of the most popular render engines for 3ds Max) has launched the MXM Gallery, “a meeting point for those who want to share their Maxwell materials with other users”. It’s a user generated website, where Maxwell users are challenged to upload their materials. To give a realistic view of the materials, users can download a demo scene (a ball like object), apply their material and upload an image of it. This makes for an interesting browsing experience trough the materials. Already hundreds of materials are uploaded, and you follow the highest ranking materials here. I’m especially glad to find some less common materials too, like lava lamp or carbonised bamboo. My personal favourite? Olive oil.