Complex Geometric 3D Abstract Design in 3DSMax
By Conceptoo | 3D Studio Max | BeginnerThis tutorial will teach you how to make a complex geometric abstract design in simple and straightforward steps using Autodesk's 3D Studio Max. The tutorial requires no advanced skills as we will use very basic elements to create this effect that mostly involves creating boxes and configuring the target camera.
Creating the Boxes
Start off by creating a new 3D Studio Max file. If the application is already opened, reset 3DSMax by going to File > Reset. Create the first object by going through Create>Standard Primitives>Box.
We will draw the rest of the boxes in the top viewport, so activate it by clicking once on that viewport. Use the left mouse button to click anywhere on the top viewport, press and drag the mouse to alter the width and length of the box. When you release the mouse click, move the mouse up or down to set up the height of the box. You should now have the first box on the stage. Repeat the above process to create several boxes in random dimensions.
We will now unify the color of all the boxes. To do so select all of the boxes, click anywhere in the top viewport to activate it and then press Ctrl+A on your keyboard to select everything in the viewport. You should see a white box on the right side of the screen, click once on it to show an options window from which you should select the white color and then click OK, this should turn the color of all the objects in the viewport to white.
We will now duplicate the boxes that we have in the top view port by simply copying and pasting them. Select all the objects on the stage (Ctrl+A), copy them (Ctrl+C), and then paste (Ctrl+V). The Clone Options window should pop up, select Copy and then click OK to close the window. You should now move the newly created boxes to the side by dragging them using the x-axis arrow as illustrated in the image below.
Repeat the process above to create a whole block of boxes similar to the one below.
We will now create a further layer of duplicated boxes. Activate the front viewport and select all the objects on the viewport. Now copy and paste the objects then position the new layer above the original one, create another duplicate of the layer and position it below the original this time to get a result similar to the one below. This should end the boxes making stage.
Setting up the Camera:
Our abstract is going to be shot through a target camera. To create one go through Create>Cameras>Target Camera.
Access the top viewport and click and hold the mouse click anywhere on the viewport to create the target camera. While the left click is still pressed, move the mouse around to set the direction of the camera. I positioned the camera somewhere below the center of the group of boxes and then set its direction towards the center as illustrated in the image below.
While the camera is still selected, access the perspective viewport and activate it (press C on your keyboard to do that). Now access the Modify Panel and look for FOV (Field of View) under Parameters rollout, set its value to 160 degrees.
The rest is a matter of moving the camera and finding the right shot to render. Use the control buttons located on the Viewport Navigation Controls toolbar at the lower right corner of the screen.
Rendering and Post-Production
When you finish playing around with the control buttons and have found your favourite shot in the camera viewport you can just press F9 to render and save your shot. You can take this image to Photoshop or any other image editing software to further play with and enhance.
Please feel free to post any questions you have at the Oman3D Forum.
- End of Tutorial.