3D Studio Max

From FIRSTwiki

3D Studio Max is an "award-winning modeling, animation, and rendering solution used by the world's top 3D professional artists and designers" developed by Discreet, a division of Autodesk, Inc.. In other words it is one of the best 3D graphics programs out there and your team gets it for free!

A copy of 3D Studio Max is shipped every year to each FIRST team as part of the kit of parts. It is used as part of the Animation Competition, which is sponsored by Autodesk.

Currently, 3D Studio Max is at version 6, and Discreet usually releases a new version every one or two years. New in Version 6, discreet has integrated the Reactor 2 physics engine created by Havok, the Mental Ray renderer by Mental Images, and an event-based particle system, Particle Flow. These additions allow for amazingly realistic and physically accurate animations.

In October of 2004, discreet plans to release 3ds max version 7. In version 7, Character Studio will be included with all licenses of 3ds max; it will not be an option as in previous versions. Max 7 will also include subsurface scattering materials designed to better simulate the way light passes through partially translucent objects like skin. So 3ds Max 7 will be an improvement over version 6 in the creation of scenes with people in them.

3D Studio Max is a complex program. However, it comes with a very good library of tutorials and it can be learned entirely through these tutorials. However, for more FIRST specific animation tips, check the Animation How-To pages.