Beginner's Guide To Mental Ray and Autodesk Materials In 3ds Max 2016

This book is aimed at those digital artists who have just started working on the 3ds Max. In this eBook, I have covered Autodesk and mental ray materials. A better understanding of materials and maps gives you ability to add realism to your artwork. The concepts you will learn using this eBook will help you a lot when you will apply shaders and textures to your models.

This book is written in an easy to understand language. The important terms are in bold face so that you never miss them. This book is written using 3ds Max 2016. However, you can use it without a problem with 3ds Max 2015 as well.

What You Will Learn?
You will learn how to use Autodesk and mental ray materials to model realistic looking surfaces. The parameters are explained with examples and related screen captures. Additional tips, guidance, and advice is provided in from of Tips, Notes, and Warnings. You will gain skills by completing the examples provided in the book.

What you need?
To complete the examples in this book, you need v2016 of Autodesk 3ds Max. However, the book is also compatible with the v2015 of 3ds Max.

If you are an educator or student, you access free Autodesk software from the Autodesk Education Community. The Autodesk Education Community is an online resource with more than five million members that lets educators and students to download free Autodesk software. In addition, you can connect with millions of other digital artists to know about latest and greatest in the CG industry.

What are the main features of the eBook?
• Global Illumination, Final Gather, and Caustics explained.
• 9 examples to hone your skills.
• Additional tips, guidance, and advice is provided in from of Tips, Notes, and Warnings.
• Important terms are in bold face so that you never miss them.
• Support for technical aspect of the book.
• 3ds Max files and textures used are available for download.

How This Book Is Structured?
This book is organized to provide you with the knowledge needed to master the standard materials and related maps. This book is divided into three sections:

Section A - Global Illumination, Final Gathering, and Caustics
The mental ray renderer offers two methods for achieving the Global Illumination: photon tracing and final gathering. This section deals with these two methods as well as the caustics. The example used in the section allow you to grasp the concept explained.

Section B - Autodesk Materials
3ds Max comes with three types of mental ray materials: Autodesk Materials, Arch & Design material, and Special-Purpose mental ray materials. This section deals with the Autodesk materials.

Section C - Arch & Design Material
This section deals with the Arch & Design material. This material is a monolithic material designed to support most of the material that you will use in the architectural and product design renderings. This material is highly tuned for modeling fast glossy reflective and refractive surfaces.