3DS Max (Dave)

Plant3D Visualization Techniques Using 3DS Max

The great thing about the world of industrial visualization is that it is limited only by your imagination. In this class, each 3D enthusiast will learn how to approach a visualization project and see it through each step to completion. We will explore a faux project from its inception through to reality. You will learn how to approach management with a budget that will not frighten you, prepare your Plant 3D CAD models for export, import and optimize CAD geometry in Autodesk® 3ds Max®, create and animate cameras, apply materials to objects, create realistic lighting and environments, apply materials, and render shots. We will also take a close look at what works and what doesn’t in some existing visualization movies. At all times during the class, we will relate each stage of the project back to how that stage (and the decisions you make) will directly affect budget. This class is for those who aspire to create professional-looking visualizations of their Plant 3D/CAD projects. If you have always wanted to get into 3D animation, this class is for you!

Objectives

At the end of this tutorial, you will be able to:

Create reasonable budgetary expectations for your management team
- In my experience, it is not realistic to fix a hard number to a visualization project. That is doubly true for someone just starting out. What can you do to get in front of issues down the road?
Identify the need for and purpose of the project
Identify key personnel to execute
Prepare Plant 3D objects for export and import into 3ds Max
Quickly create and apply realistic materials
Create beautiful environments for your models
Create and animate camera

A few words before we begin

I do not now, nor have I ever worked for artistic powerhouses like Pixar, Disney, Dreamworks, (insert any other production house). The methods and workflow I am outlining in the following document are what I have defined as best practice in my own trial and error, google/youtube searching, asking lots and lots of questions no matter how elementary they seem or how much you’re afraid of looking like a beginner, scope of experience.

I do not pretend that these are the best practice industry workflow standards, but I outline the methodology that works for me as of the writing of this document that to date I have had a good level of success with. In the end if the client is happy, you have been paid, and you are still breathing (in that order) then everybody wins! As I continue on my journey towards artistic enlightenment, I am sure some of these methods will change. This get’s fun in a minute.

Some of the topics outlined below are not the most exciting to talk about. When just starting out, eager 3D enthusiasts want so badly to skip right to the fun, sexy parts of the project that they will skip, skim, or altogether disregard the crucial rules and details that are necessary for establishing and managing the client’s expectations. The time for the painstakingly detailed questions starts at the front end of the project. I have been scraped through that fire, and it is very hot and very painful! That said, animation is FUN, so let’s go!