3DX MAX

Getting Started

• Introduction to the Course
• Learning Objectives and Outcomes
• Installing and Configuring 3ds Max / 3ds Max Design
• Setting System Units and Display Units
• Understanding the User Interface (UI)
• Creating and Assigning a Project Folder
• Creating a Prototype / Working Directory
• Introduction to AI Tools in 3D Design Workflows

Pre-Production and Planning

• Pre-Planning the 3D Production Process
• Developing Storyboards and Sketch Styles
• Examining Sample Storyboards
• Planning Scene Complexity & Level of Detail (LoD)
• Understanding File Output & Render Strategy
• Using AI-Based Concept Art Generators

Modeling

• Basics of Modeling in 3ds Max
• Understanding Shapes & Splines
• Cloning & Transforming Shapes
• Creating and Editing Outline Shapes
• Attaching & Modifying Shapes
• Trimming and Welding Splines
• Understanding Mesh vs. Poly Objects
• Editable Poly: Tools and Techniques
• Saving Incremental Files
• Filtering Vertices for Optimization
• Object Type Conversion
• AI-Assisted Modeling Tools

Materials and Texturing

• Introduction to Materials
• Understanding the Slate Material Editor
• Creating Schematic and Procedural Materials
• Using Arch & Design Materials
• Editing Shaders and Reflectivity
• Assigning Materials and Using Material IDs
• Applying Multi/Sub-Object Materials
• Using Map Patterns and UVW Unwraps
• Simulating Geometry through Materials
• Editing Material Channels
• AI-Powered Texture Generation Tools

Lighting

• Fundamentals of Lighting: Direct & Indirect
• Discovering and Placing Daylight Systems
• Adjusting Sky, Location, and Physical Sun
• Understanding Photometric Lights
• Enabling and Configuring Street Lights
• Using Global Illumination
• AI Lighting Simulation from Real Photos

Cameras

• Importance of Camera Angles in 3D
• Traditional Camera Shot Types
• Effective Camera Distances
• Adjusting Viewer Perspective
• Using Depth of Field (DoF)
• AI-Based Camera Framing Suggestions

Rendering

• Introduction to Rendering Process
• Rendering Still Images: Settings and Resolution
• Using Render Elements
• Understanding Scene States
• Batch Rendering Setup
• AI Denoising and Upscaling Tools
• Cloud Rendering Services with AI

Effects and Dynamics

• Understanding Particle Effects
• Creating Particle Flow Systems
• Understanding 3ds Max Dynamics
• Simulating Rigid Body Dynamics
• Draping with Cloth Modifier
• Using Wind, Gravity & Forces
• AI Animation Assist Tools

Output and Presentation

• Planning the Final Output
• Using Scene States for Render Control
• Batch Rendering in Production Workflow
• Creating Demo Reels
• AI Tools for Post-Processing

LEED Lighting Analysis & Green Design

• Introduction to Lighting Analysis
• Tools like Autodesk Lighting Analysis
• Identifying Modeling and Geometry Issues
• Creating Accurate Ground Planes
• Examining Real-World Lighting References
• AI-Assisted LEED Lighting Optimization

Lighting the Scene

• Setting Up Realistic Lighting
• Creating and Aligning Ground Planes
• Placing and Adjusting Daylight Systems
• AI-Driven Lighting Setup

Scene Materials

• Identifying and Assigning Real-World Materials
• Material Optimization Techniques
• AI-Powered Material Generation

Lighting Analysis for Presentation

• Using Visual Lighting Analysis Tools
• Generating Reports and Graphs
• AI Optimization for Client Presentations

Rendering an Analysis

• Rendering the Final Output with Analysis Overlays
• Creating Final Boards and Exporting as PDF

Future of 3D with AI (Bonus)

• How AI is Transforming 3D Design
• Tools Integrating AI with 3ds Max
• Ethical Use of AI in Creative Work
• Procedural Worldbuilding and AI Co-Creation

V-RAY

Introduction

• Installing V-Ray for 3ds Max (Latest version)
• V-Ray License and Activation
• Configuring V-Ray as Default Renderer
• Overview of V-Ray Interface and Menus
• Exploring Chaos Cosmos (V-Ray Assets Library)
• V-Ray Frame Buffer (VFB 2.0+) Overview
• Image Saving Options and File Formats

Critical Concepts

• Understanding Image Sampling in V-Ray 6
• Controlling Subdivisions and Noise
• DMC Sampler: Updates and Best Practices
• Color Mapping Techniques and Gamma Correction
• Using Color Mapping Modes and LUTs
• Working with V-Ray’s ACEScg Workflow

Key Lighting Tools

• Lighting Basics and Types in V-Ray
• Dealing with Common Lighting Problems
• Using Spherical and Mesh Lights
• Creating Skylight and Dome Light Effects
• HDRI Lighting with Dome Light
• Adaptive Dome Light in V-Ray 6
• Working with Chaos Cosmos HDRIs

Global Illumination

• What is GI and Why It Matters
• Primary vs. Secondary GI Bounces
• How Irradiance Map Works
• Using Light Cache Efficiently
• Understanding Brute Force GI
• Comparing Light Cache vs Brute Force
• Optimizing GI for Interior and Exterior Scenes

Materials

• Creating V-Ray Standard Materials
• Diffuse, Reflective, and Glossy Surfaces
• Clear and Colored Glass with Refraction
• Translucent and Subsurface Scattering (SSS)
• Using VRayMtl, VRayBlendMtl, and VRay2SidedMtl
• Creating PBR Materials
• Using Chaos Scans (Real-World Material Library)

Quality Control with Image Sampling

• Fixed-Rate, Adaptive DMC, and Adaptive Subdivision
• Render Quality vs. Speed: Finding the Balance
• Noise Threshold and Min/Max Subdivs
• Comparing Image-Sampling Renders
• AI Denoiser Integration (NVIDIA & Intel)

The Physical Workflow

• Understanding the V-Ray Physical Workflow
• Working with VRaySun and VRaySky
• Using VRayPhysicalCamera for Realistic Renders
• Matching Real-World Lighting and Exposure
• Using Real Camera Settings (ISO, f-stop, shutter)

V-Ray Effects Tools

• Depth of Field with VRayCamera
• Creating Motion Blur for Animation
• Generating Caustic Effects (Pool/Glass/Light)
• Creating Fur with VRayFur Modifier
• Stereoscopic Rendering for VR
• Fog and Atmospheric Effects

Using Render Elements

• Understanding the Render Elements System
• Adding Elements for Post-Production
• Using Render IDs, Lighting, GI, Reflection, ZDepth
• Working with Cryptomatte for Masking
• Compositing in Photoshop and After Effects
• Using V-Ray Light Mix for Post-lighting Control

V-Ray RT & Interactive Rendering

• Introduction to V-Ray Interactive Rendering
• RT CPU vs RT GPU (CUDA/XPU Support)
• Using Interactive Mode for Fast Feedback
• Hardware Requirements and Optimization

AI, Automation & Cloud Rendering

• Using AI Denoisers (NVIDIA & Intel)
• Automating Renders with Batch and Render Queue
• Cloud Rendering with Chaos Cloud
• Uploading and Managing Renders in the Cloud
• Exploring AI in Material Generation & Scene Lighting