- Material Basics
- Lighting Basics
- Rendering Tools
- Rendering Techniques
- Indirect Illumination
- Lighting Digital Sets
Material Basics
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Scanline
A basic introduction to Scanline compatible materials in 3ds Max.
Duration: 48 min
mental ray
A basic introduction to mental ray compatible materials in 3ds Max.
Duration: 52 min
Installing Plugins, Scripts and Shaders
Learn how to expand the functionality of 3ds Max and mental ray by installing plugins, scripts and custom shaders.
Duration: 45 min
Displacement
In this video I explore the various options for implementing displacement in 3ds Max.
Duration: 52 min
These videos are available as Digital Downloads only, at a resolution of 1024x768. Software requirements: QuickTime Movie Player (Version 7.0 or higher).
Lighting Basics
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3ds Max Light Basics
This video explores the different light sources available in 3ds Max.
Duration: 44 min
Area Light Issues
This video will explain solutions for some of the issues you'll encounter when working with Area Lights in 3ds Max.
Duration: 32 min
mrSun and mrSky
Learn about the mrSun and mrSky features in 3ds Max. This includes customizing the appearance of the mrSun/mrSky.
Duration: 45 min
Using HDRs
This video explains how you can use HDR maps in 3ds Max for both illumination & environment reflections.
Duration: 45 min
These videos are available as Digital Downloads only, at a resolution of 1024x768. Software requirements: QuickTime Movie Player (Version 7.0 or higher).
Rendering Tools
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Identifying Noise
Learn how to identify what is creating noise and grain in your 3ds Max/mental ray renders.
Duration: 13 min
Depth of Field
Learn about and how to use the various Depth of Field options available in 3ds Max to achieve realistic results.
Duration: 9 min
Managing Color Bleed
Color bleed is a natural occurring phenomenon where indirect illumination picks up & scatters color. Learn how to control it in your scenes.
Duration: 34 min
Volumetrics
Learn how to add volumetric effects like volume lights or fog effects to your 3ds Max scenes.
Duration: 47 min
Exposure/Tone Mapping
This video discusses some of the exposure control features available in 3ds Max and mental ray.
Duration: 40 min
Glowing Objects
This video explores how to create glowing and self-illuminated objects in your 3ds Max scenes.
Duration: 44 min
Motion Blur
Learn how to implement the various motion blur options in 3ds Max to add realism to your renders.
Duration: 43 min
mrProxy Objects
The mental ray proxy objects are helpful in reducing memory consumption of your scenes, especially if you're using a 32-bit operating system.
Duration: 40 min
These videos are available as Digital Downloads only, at a resolution of 1024x768. Software requirements: QuickTime Movie Player (Version 7.0 or higher).
Rendering Techniques
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Creating Clay Renders
A "Clay Render" refers to a basic shaded render where it's easy to read all the details in your meshes.
Duration: 22 min
NPR - Toon Rendering
Learn how to create NPR (Non-Photorealistic Renders) in 3ds Max using the Ink&Paint material and the mental ray contour shaders.
Duration: 44 min
Vehicle Rendering in 3ds Max 2009
This tutorial takes an in-depth look at how to create a realistic render of a vehicle in 3DS Max using Mental Ray.
Duration: 53 min
These videos are available as Digital Downloads only, at a resolution of 1024x768. Software requirements: QuickTime Movie Player (Version 7.0 or higher).
Indirect Illumination
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Final Gather
This video will explain the basics of using mental ray's Final Gather indirect illumination method in 3ds Max.
Duration: 45 min
Global Illumination
This video will explain the basics of using mental ray's Global Illumination indirect illumination method in 3ds Max.
Duration: 50 min
These videos are available as Digital Downloads only, at a resolution of 1024x768. Software requirements: QuickTime Movie Player (Version 7.0 or higher).
Lighting Digital Sets
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Architectural Interiors - Day
Learn how to setup & render a basic (still-frame) architectural interior daylight scene using 3ds Max & mental ray.
Duration: 59 min
Architectural Interiors - Night
Learn how to setup & render a basic (still-frame) architectural interior evening scene using 3ds Max & mental ray.
Duration: 48 min
Architectural Exteriors - Day
Learn how to setup & render a basic (still-frame) architectural exterior daylight scene using 3ds Max & mental ray.
Duration: 39 min
Architectural Exteriors - Night
Learn how to setup & render a basic (still-frame) architectural exterior evening scene using 3ds Max & mental ray.
Duration: 41 min
These videos are available as Digital Downloads only, at a resolution of 1024x768. Software requirements: QuickTime Movie Player (Version 7.0 or higher).
Jeff Patton
3ds Max Freelance Artist
Jeff is a self-taught freelance digital artist and has been freelancing for the past six years. In that time he has worked on many projects, a lot of which have been mechanical illustrations for companies like Johnson Controls, Trane, Carrier, and Honeywell. More recently he has spent some time teaching on-site mental ray classes, which he enjoys as it has allowed him to travel around the country and meet a lot of really great people.
Jeff is an active member of several online forums such as CGsocietey (CGtalk), the Vizdepot, and Autodesk's "the AREA" website where he often tries to assist users with their mental ray related questions. In addition, last year he teamed up with Russell Thomas, owner of 3dallusions.com, to help create mrmaterials.com which is a free material repository for the mental ray community.
"Jeff Patton is a fantastic and dedicated teacher. His clear and easy to understand explanations of complex lighting and rendering concepts have helped thousands of artists take the next step in creating killer images."