Course description
3ds Max Essentials - Autodesk-accredited introductory 3-day training course for beginners
This three-day 3ds Max Essentials course provides an ideal starter for users of 3ds Max from all industries and backgrounds. Delegates are introduced to the basic principles, features and functionality of 3ds Max, and then taught the key techniques & theory needed to use the applications effectively.
This short and intensive course has a strong focus on hands-on exercises that are generic; relevant to all industries.
Armada is an authorised Autodesk Training Centre (ATC) and courses are hosted by Autodesk Certified Instructors (ACI's) with extensive knowledge of using 3ds Max in industry.
Upcoming start dates
Training venue
This 3ds Max Essentials training course is hosted at our centres in Bromsgrove (near Birmingham), Bristol and Reading.
For our Bromsgrove courses, we offer a free daily taxi service from Bromsgrove train station to our training centre.
Delegates can enjoy fantastic facilities at our centres, with lunch and refreshments included.
3ds Max Design Essentials course information
This course is ideal for new users of 3ds Max from all industries, including:
- Architects, interior designers, and engineers.
- Game developers.
- Artists and animators who produce film and video content.
Training is based primarily on 3ds Max 2025, running on Windows. Most techniques taught are relevant to all recent versions of the application.
Suitability - Who should attend?
This 3ds Max Essentials course is ideal for new users or 3ds Max from all industries, including:
- Architects, interior designers and engineers.
- Game developers.
- Artists and animators who product film and video content.
Pre-requisites
Candidates must have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Windows. No previous experience of CAD or 3D rendering is required.
For more information on suitability, please send an enquiry here.
Outcome / Qualification etc.
Autodesk e-certificate
Armada is an Autodesk authorised Training Centre (ATC), and this 3ds Max Essentials training course is accredited by Autodesk. Delegates receive an industry recognised e-certificate from Autodesk to confirm they have attended and successfully completed an accredited 3ds Max training course.
Training Course Content
This 3ds Max course is generally structured as follows:
Introduction
- Understanding the 3D environment
User Interface
- Touring the interace
- Viewports
- Command panels
- Other UI elements
File I/O
- Starting a project
- Saving files
- Hold/fetch
- Merging files
- Import/export
- File linking
Getting Started
- Setting preferences correctly
- Object creation
- Object selection
- Scene management
Transforming Objects
- Transform tools
- Coordinate systems
- Snaps
- Align tools
- Making duplicates
- Other transforms
Modifying Objects
- Basic concepts
- Modifier examples
Modelling
- Modelling with 3D geometry
- AEC techniques
- Spline theory
- Creating and editing 2D spline shapes
- Create 3D objects from 2D shapes
- Working with splines
- Using shape modifiers
- Using lofts
- Creating multiple model concepts from one idea
- Polygon theory
- Creating and editing 3D polygon objects
- Add detail to the building concept lab
Materials and Mapping
- The principles of materials and surfaces
- Introduction to the materials editor
- Different types of material
- Applying materials
- Using 2D maps
- Introduction to UVW mapping
- Editing UVW map coordinates
- Applying materials and maps
- Introduction to mental ray materials
- Applying and editing mental ray materials
- Applying mental ray materials
Cameras
- Camera nd
- The nd
- Camera paths
Lights
- Introduction to direct lighting
- Creating 3 point and dome lighting rigs
- Shadows and shadow theory
- How to get the most from using shadows by adjusting their parameters
- Using sky light and light tracer for external scenes
- Colour light theory
- Using lights in mental ray
- The daylight system
- Photorealistic lighting using global illumination and final gather in mental ray
Animation
- General principles
- Working with key-frames
- Animating objects
- Working with the track view editor
- Animating an object with Autokey
- Understanding animation controllers
- Working with object heirachies
- Animating bipeds
Rendering
- Render scene dialog
- Scene state
- Batch reminder
Why choose Armada
4.9 stars Google Review rating
Over 96% delegate experience rating on our Autodesk courses in 2021
5 locations across UK and live online courses
Customer Outreach Award 2019
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Reviews
Average rating 5
Expenses
Course fees are inclusive of a comprehensive training guide, refreshments and a buffet lunch.
Discounts available for multiple bookings.
Delegates are also entitled to 30 days' post-course support via email.
In-house training
Armada can also provide on-request 3ds Max training, either one-to-one or exclusively for your group. This can be hosted at one of Armada's training centres in Bromsgrove (near Birmingham), Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Reading, Sheffield, or your venue anywhere in the UK.
Armada
We specialise in: CAD design training. Our expert trainers cover the most popular CAD applications including AutoCAD, Revit, Fusion, SketchUp, Civil 3D, 3ds Max, used across all industries - architecture, engineering, interior design and others. Creative, video and animation training...
The best training I have to date (and I have tried a few!) Rod Cleasby is knowledgeable, patient, and communicative. I have moved on as a result of his help and look forward to ...