3D Studio Max Powerful rendering engine, lame-o modeling software

Workflow overview Create project entirely in Revit Export to FBX file, import into MAX Test single rendering Set up animation Export preview animation Render and export final

Revit (building, lighting) Revit: materials Export FBX MAX: Minimal materials, lighting Render in MAX SketchUp: interior elements Revit model (building, lighting) Revit: materials Export FBX MAX: Minimal materials, lighting Render in MAX SketchUp: interior elements Export DWG (layers, etc) MAX: materials Workflow for MAX Rendering Revit model (building, lighting) Revit: materials Export FBX MAX: Minimal materials, lighting Render in MAX SketchUp: interior elements Export: DWG (layers, etc) MAX: materials Familiar way; best for projects where this is not the last step Avoids materials problem; retains layers in MAX Fastest Rendering Link

Revit export Use simplest walls, floors, and ceilings Apply materials entirely in Revit Create and test lighting in Revit Purge out drawing Just one 3D view needed

SketchUp export to DWG No textures Layers Use Color By Layer to check

Overview: working in Max Get geometry into MAX via FBX or DWG Apply materials and lighting Set frame rate, total frames in animation Modify camera across timeline Export preview Render stills as tests Specify output file Export final

Max interface

Linking DWG files to MAX

Quick Keys and hints Click in a viewport to zoom around C switches to camera view F10 brings up the rendering options window ALT-W toggles full-screen view F9 renders current view immediately

Shading viewports Use View>Viewport Settings… May have to hide elements (right-click)

Basic Still Rendering

Sample quality (can also change in Render window) For a draft For high quality

Render window check for animation can also choose to render a region

File formats make a different JPEGBMP

Lighting

Adjusting lighting

Adding Materials

Mapped single image: modify size Displays material preview in shaded viewports Change size and location of map in real time

Creating a custom material Click on empty material to create your own Choose a different material (for mirror, use Reflect/Base, reflectivity = 1 Options – you can change # of materials shown Use default templates for simple materials

double-click to choose a bitmap

Display material in viewport

Modifying viewports

Creating a new camera

Modify a camera

Modify perspective Field of view Pan, orbit Tilt camera

Animation Rendering

Change Time Settings Time settings

12 is minimum, 15 is better Determines total time in seconds of movie

Auto Key forces memory of changes to model in a Key Frame Move slider to change view to a different point along the animation

Set file type and location in Render Menu

Create walkthrough preview

Hiding objects Right-click on object, and choose Hide Elements Freeze in Layer Manager Both are Global changes Rendered view will leave out hidden object

Testing Render at lowest settings and small size first Render at several points to make sure lighting and materials are working throughout Create Animation Preview to test overall animation Create rendering at lowest settings – takes about 4 hours (it will estimate) Resolution: 320x240 Final Gather quality:

Final production Create animation in pieces if you have more than one computer Final resolution: 640x480 Final rendering quality:

Composing in Windows Movie Maker Follow the numbers Break apart video if needed Add titles Add stills for renderings, plans, materials, whatever Add credits Export

Timeline view easier for adding titles and transitions Follow steps

Exporting

Other software options Adobe Premiere Elements – Free trial Final Cut Pro (on Macs) – Pretty complex They’re very complex, but have some terrific features