Although Maya’s popularity has increased of late (perhaps largely due to its superior accessibility for newcomers), Autodesk 3DS Max still remains a key player within the industry, and this latest incarnation significantly improves upon the wire-frame mapping approach of the past.
Autodesk 3DS Max allows you to be very precise in terms of the mapping of your creations, perhaps even more so than Maya. Besides the standard mapping tools, the application now contains all manner of alignment features to ensure that you get pinpoint accuracy when modelling. What’s more, Autodesk 3DS Max now contains more flexible options for relax, the tool that averages UVs and allows for the automatic relief of texture distortion. If used in conjunction with another function, show edge distortion, then the mapping of your characters becomes all the easier.
There are dozens of other features within the software that will help you produce stunning 3D models without tearing your hair out. We were particularly taken with the render UVW template function, allowing very quick template rendering of your prepared UVs, either in wireframe, filled, mapped or shaded versions. With a raft of skinning and modelling tools, Autodesk 3DS Max gives you very precise control over your models, without having to code or program every co-ordinate, making it a very user-friendly option.
Naturally, the cost of the full version of the program will put off many 3D hobbyists, but for serious animation professionals it’s an application that is to be ignored at your peril.
Autodesk 3DS Max is a powerful 3D animation suite aimed at professional users, with hundreds of tools and features.
