3DS Max Tutorial: Prepare your model for 3D Printing with 3D Studio Max

Developed by Autodesk, 3D Studio Max, also known as 3DS Max, is part of a range of software used in the 3D field, whether it is for additive manufacturing, product design, video game design, architecture design or simulation. Thus, this 3D modeling tool can be used either by 3D designers, 3D animators, games developers, or students and educators. It offers several approaches for modeling which can be adapted to everybody’s needs, like surface manipulation or Nurbs. 

Autodesk 3DS Max is a very useful 3D modeling software to create 3D objects, but it is also useful for rendering. It is well-known for its good user experience. A big part of its tools allows to create and visualize a 3D objects in an accurate and elaborated environment.  In 3D printing, those functions don’t have any impact on the final result (and can give wrong impressions if they are overused). That’s why this tutorial doesn’t deal with them.  We invite you to explore them by yourself to take in hand 3D Studio Max and understand how to use it with all its potential.

You will need a little time to train yourself and use this 3D modeling software wisely. Inexperienced 3DS Max users can be quickly overwhelmed by all the information on the screen, and by the several possibilities and tools at his disposal. 

This tutorial is based on the 2018’s version of the 3D software. Those commands are also included in previous versions until the 2012’s version. Many licenses exist for Autodesk 3DS Max. Thus, students can use it for free for their work or studies to create great 3D objects. 

You can find all the information on the Autodesk’s website.