3D Studio Max - A tool for making 3D illusions

(Sahar Riaz, Rawalpindi)

3D Studio Max software provides certain 3D visual effects (VFX) that can produce realistic visual impact with less effort and less time consumption. Particle system, modifiers and rendering effects in the software help in creating scenic environments that may have a realistic visual impact on audiences. With the feature of editing parameters, the desired locations are modeled over which the animated characters need to play on. These models can be utilized in various animated movies for big screens, advertising for businesses, gaming for learning, music videos for entertainment, architectural designing and space visualization.

3D Studio Max has a tremendous range of visual effects that are added to the models of locations to make a realistic impact of the viewer. Particle systems, rendering effects and modifiers are supportive features that are those visual effects that can create realistic simulations in 3D Studio Max while creating locations. They are used for making quick, realistic and influencing location elements.

Rainbow glow and Ripples effect in water:
For making a realistic rainbow that glows on the sky firstly the modeling of rainbow with cylinder is done. Each color is represented by an individual cylindrical shape model. The Glow feature from Environment and Effects is used to produce the realistic rainbow effect.

For applying a ripple effect on water model, model water panel through an edited sphere. Ripple feature from Modify panel is used to produce moving ripples in water model.

Fog effect on barren land:
For making realistic fog effect, 3D Studio Max provides an impressive effect. Model the barren land using a rectangle and editing it with “Edit Mesh” feature. After adding bumps and mapping the land go to Rendering menu and choose Volume Fog in order to produce realistic effect.

Rain effect:
For making realistic raindrops the “Spray” particle system is utilized. For this go to particle system, choose Spray particle system and drag to draw the rectangular icon of spray. By clicking on Play button, one can see particles emitting from source. The parameters and timings are changed to adjust raindrops as per the desire of the location is concerned.

For making realistic grass first draw a plan and then click on Modify tab, from there add Hair and Fur modifier. Changing can be done by editing the general parameters to make the fur look like grass including color, hair count, density, scale, thickness and other material parameters.

Explosion effect is made using Super spray particle system. Model a rock using a rectangle. It is edited by applying “Edit Mesh” modifier in order to shape it like a rock. For making an explosion out of a rock, choose Super Spray Particle Systems. Adjust the icon on the interface and edit it through the editable parameters like basic parameters roll-out and particle generation roll out.

Lava effect:
Lava effect is created using the same particle system as for rain drops. The effect of lava with a continuous flow is produced by changing the drop size, variation, speed, amplitude, mapping and the type of particles.

Snow effect:
Snow effect is created using the Snow particle system. Blizzard can also be used because it is a modified version of snow.

Sahar Riaz
About the Author: Sahar Riaz Read More Articles by Sahar Riaz: 32 Articles with 63300 views Being a professional designer and animator, I have completed my studies in designing i-e graphic designing, web designing and animation. Specializatio.. View More