Getting started with Autodesk 3ds Max 2017 --
Exploring the interface --
Controlling and configuring the viewpoints --
Working with files, importing and exporting --
Setting preferences --
Creating and editing primitive objects --
Selecting objects and using layers --
Transforming objects, pivoting, aligning, and snapping --
Cloning objects and creating object arrays --
Grouping, linking, and parenting objects --
Organizing scenes with containers, xrefs and the schematic view --
Accessing subobjects and modifiers and using the modifier stack --
Drawing and editing 2D splines and shapes --
Modeling with polygons --
Using the graphite modeling tools and painting with objects --
Working with compound objects --
Deforming surfaces and using the mesh modifiers --
Creating and applying standard materials with the slate material editor --
Adding material details with maps --
Using specialized material types --
Creating compound materials and using material modifiers --
Creating shaders in the shaderfx editor --
Unwrapping UVs and mapping textures --
Painting in the viewport canvas and rendering surface maps --
Creating baked textures and normal maps --
Configuring and aiming cameras --
Using lights and basic lighting techniques --
Positioning the sun and setting the lighting environment --
Working with advanced lighting, light tracing, and radiosity --
Rendering a scene and enabling quicksilver --
Managing render states --
Batch and network rendering --
Rendering with art, mental ray and iray --
Compositing with render elements and the video post interface --
Understanding animation and keyframes --
Animating with constraints and simple controllers --
Exploring the complex controllers --
Using animation layers and animation modifiers --
Wiring parameters --
Editing animation curves in the track view --
Understanding rigging, kinematics, and working with bones --
Skinning characters --
Animating characters with CAT --
Creating crowds and using populate --
Creating particles and particle flow --
Using space warps --
Using atmospheric and render effects --
Creating volume lights effects --
Adding lens effects --
Simulating physics-based motion with massFX --
Working with hair and cloth --
Customizing the interface --
Creating procedural content with max creation graphs --
Automating with maxscript --
Expanding 3DS max with third-party plug-ins.

Kelly L. Murdock's Autodesk 3ds Max 2017 Complete Reference Guide is a popular book among users new to 3ds Max and is used extensively in schools around the globe. The success of this book is found in its simple easy-to-understand explanations coupled with its even easier to follow tutorials. The tutorials are laser focused on a specific topic without any extra material, making it simple to grasp difficult concepts. The book also covers all aspects of the software, making it a valuable reference for users of all levels.

The Complete Reference Guide is the ultimate book on 3ds Max, and like Autodesk’s 3D animation software, it just gets better and better with each release. Whether you're new to 3ds Max or an experienced user, you'll find everything you need in this complete resource. The book kicks off with a getting started section, so beginners can jump in and begin working with 3ds Max right away. Experienced 3ds Max users, will appreciate advanced coverage of features like crowd simulation, particle systems, radiosity, MAXScript and more. Over 150 tutorials – complete with before and after files – help users at all levels build real world skills.