Although
3DS Max is usually used to create animation and sometimes
realistic objects and effects, Max can also be used
to create some wonderfully abstract images. Following
this tutorial allows you to quickly create one of these
creations while learning about polygons and vertices.
By manipulating parts of an object you can model them
to look like anything your mind can imagine.
Part One: The Sphere & Editable
Mesh
The first part of this tutorial is
fairly straightforward, but may be new to those who
have never gone beyond primitive shapes.
 Go
to the Command Panel and create a Sphere. It should
be large enough to fill at least three quarters of
the perspective view.
 If
you cannot already see the lines that make up the spherical
opbject, press F4 on your keyboard. In order to edit
the specific vertices, lines, and polygons that make
up the sphere, it is necessary to convert the sphere
into an Editable Mesh.
 In
3DSMax r4, right click on the sphere and follow the
menu system down to Convert To | Convert To Editable
Mesh.
 In
3D Studio Max r3, right click on the sphere and less
complex menu with similar options will be available.
As an Editable Mesh the sphere can be pushed and pulled
apart by first selecting vertices, lines, or polygonal
shapes and then selecting a portion of the sphere to
move in random patterns.
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Part Two: Breaking Vertices
The default construction of any primitive object is
to be as organic as possible. this requires a soft
bending between different lines. Observing the original
sphere, it was quite smooth and round. However, the
sphere is made up of squares and, while not as obvious,
those squares are made up of triangles. The roundness
of the sphere is created partially by the number
of these triangles, but also by 3DSMax's attempt
at creating organic structures. By Breaking Vertices the
object will no longer attempt to keep its smoothness.
 Before
continuing, make sure that the mesh editing selection
tools are unselected. Just as the image above shows
that the vertices are chosen (in yellow), they must
be clicked again to shut it off (and removing the yellow
highlight.)
 Next,
right click on the sphere and move down the menu options
until you see the option to "Break Vertices".
This option is available on both 3DSMaxr4 and 3D Studio
Max r3.
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Part Three: Adding Material - Complexity
Now that an abstract shape has been
created with sharp angles, a material can be added
in order to produce a layered effect. Furthermore,
copies of the same object can be made and slightly
altered so that a number of objects with different
colors can be mixed together.
 Select "M" on
the keyboard to pull up the Material Editor.
 Select
an orb (the round balls at the top of the Material
Editor). Each orb can contain information related to
color, image, opacity, shine, and a slew of other more
complex attributes. In this case, a blue color orb
will be created with a slight opacity will be created.
 By
moving towards the Diffuse color slot and selecting
the rectangular shape a color selection bar will pop-up.
Select the blue color range and move the color slider
up towards a deeper part of the blue. If you do not
move this slider, then you will most likely be left
with the default white. Notice that the Ambient color
changed to a blue since the Diffuse is linked to the
Ambient color.
 In
order to create a glass like appearance a few attributes
need to be set. Move to the Self Illumination option
and click it on. Select the color selection bar and
choose a lighter color blue than in the Diffuse slot.
 Change
the Opacity to 60.
 Change
the Specular Level to 100.
 Change
the Glossiness to 35. The last three options can be
tweaked to your preference, however, a good rule of
thumb is that the higher the peak the greater the shine
and the more narrow the range the less coverage of
that shine. Pay attention to the changes in the orb
to see the effect.
 Apply
the material by left clicking on the orb and dragging
the material to the object you created.
 As
an added touch you can hold down the SHIFT key on the
keyboard and drag the object slightly in any direction.
A copy will be created. If you apply a slightly different
colored material, grey might be a good choice, and
change the opacity slightly, an intriguing look can
be created. Continue to experiment by using Scale on
the object. The final product could be used for splash
pages on websites or made into an animation. One idea
might be to lower the opacity and animate the abstract
image. This could be used as a background for opening
credits in movies or identification logos. It could
also be used when creating jewelery and a shiny gemstone
is needed. Ultimately, it can be used for whatever
your imagination can come up with.
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