I started using 3D Studio MAX when version 2.5 came out. Back then as a new user I was extremely confused by the depth and detail that MAX had to offer me. It wasnt until I read a few help-books that I understood the basics of MAX.... and I am still learning the program now!! MAX 3 brought a new look to the series of programs. There is now a new toolbar at the top of the screen with many tabs which can be used to access nearly all the modelling modifiers, object creators and other features. Improved meshsmoothing has been included - so now your models can be made to look even more organic than ever! One of the other modifiers that has been added is ...  Read the complete review

Even with it's staggering price tag, Max has always been a damn site cheaper than it's contemporaries. Release 3 has seen huge leaps and bounds in the direction of consumerism and streamlining working methods. It's just a shame it's still just not very good. Modelling is limited at best. It just doesn't like nurbs. Procedural processing is virtually non-existent and the editing applications are a joke. What would you use this program for ? Don't. With the release of Cinema 4D XL6, cheaper, faster, miles better at everything and including a NON LINEAR EDITING FUNCTION, Cinema 4D just does it all better. As the new underdog ...  Read the complete review

Having used earlier versions of Max I was very eager to get my hands on r3. Max is undoubtably the best 3d package for the price. R3 features new easy to use tab system which in appearance and use is similar to Maya. Max r3 ships with a modest range of modifiers which should come in handy for any polygon manipulation, and many many more plugins are available at cost or free download. As with the previous version r3 ships with 23 primitives (pre programmed geometric shapes) and does include a host of other space warps particle systems etc..but does not however include such usefull things as mountain / landscape generators or folliage creators. ...  Read the complete review

Max is, for me, the best computer graphics tool that I ever need. No only for 3D Graphics, i used it for lot of purposes, like compositing, scripting 2D Graphics, and an endless of applications. I'm not telling that it's the best or better than others, just the most productive for me. I work developing interactive games for a TV Channel and the most important of this work it's time, and we always are run-out of it. That's what we use Max nor Softimage or Maya, ... I noticed that both are better for film quality graphics, but takes lot of time to accomplish a mid-end proyect, meanwhile on Max may take some days and no-headache! My expectations ...  Read the complete review

3D Studio Max is very user freindly. It may look a bit complicated at the beginning, but everything will fall into pieces eventually. I am not an expert in graphics, but I do rely a lot in 3D Studio Max to produce animations and renderings for my projects. I can virtually scan in any material and make my own mappings, set the right environment, eg. sun angle at particular time at a particular place, intensity of light, fog, shadow, etc. I am still having difficulties setting the raytrace for the material maps. And the only drawback about this software is it is very hard and inaccurate to make a 3D modelling in using this programme. So what I have to do is ...  Read the complete review