3D Studio Max is a powerful tool that allows you to represent real world objects using 3D graphics. If you want to create a 3D model you can use an image plane. For this purpose, we recommend you read this article with which you will learn How to insert and add an image plane in 3D Studio Max
What is 3D Studio Max?
3D Studio Max is an application created by the AutoDesk company in 1990. This tool allows the creation of 3D graphics and animation . The name “3D Studio Max” was changed to “Autodesk 3ds Max”.
This application has a platform based on the use of plug-ins and is widely used for the creation of movies, advertisements and video games. 3D Studio Max has multiple tools and functions similar to those offered by Solidworks for making animations or the task of designing a web page with Coreldraw.
Features of 3D Studio Max
3D Studio Max is used to create 3D graphics by computer and under the Windows platform . The program has a set of modules and attributes such as the animation controller system and the material editor.
Additionally, 3D Studio Max supports the insertion of third-party plug-ins and facilitates the handling of a rendering subsystem with volumetric effects. 3D Studio Max contains an “Editable Mesh” that allows explicit modeling, freeform deformation of figures, and subdivision of surfaces.
How to insert and add an image plane in 3D Studio Max.Adding an image plane in 3D Studio Max is a useful technique for tasks like modeling, texturing, or reference purposes. Here’s a step-by-step guide in tabular form to help you through the process:
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open 3D Studio Max | Launch the software on your computer. |
| 2 | Create a Plane | Go to the ‘Create’ panel, select ‘Geometry’, and choose ‘Plane’ from the list. |
| 3 | Adjust Plane Dimensions | In the ‘Modify’ panel, set the Length and Width of the plane to match the aspect ratio of your reference image. |
| 4 | Apply a Material | Open the Material Editor (press ‘M’ on your keyboard). Create a new material. |
| 5 | Assign the Image to the Material | In the Material Editor, under the Diffuse Color, click on the bitmap button and load your image. |
| 6 | Apply Material to Plane | Drag and drop the material from the Material Editor to the plane in the viewport. |
| 7 | Adjust Material Display | Ensure the ‘Show Material in Viewport’ button is activated (it looks like a blue and white checkerboard). |
| 8 | Position the Plane | Move and rotate the plane as needed to use it as a reference. You can use the ‘Select and Move’ and ‘Select and Rotate’ tools. |
| 9 | Lock the Plane (Optional) | If necessary, right-click on the plane, go to ‘Object Properties’, and check ‘Freeze’ to prevent accidental modifications. |
| 10 | Save Your Scene | Save your work to avoid losing progress. |
Remember, you can adjust the opacity of the material if you need to see through the plane while working. Also, consider creating a new layer for the image plane to easily hide or show it as needed during your work.
If you want to insert and add an image plane in 3D Studio Max you need to get the application, install it on your computer and use its functions . For this, we advise you to follow a series of steps that we explain below.
Download and install 3D Studio Max
Initially, you need to download 3D Studio Max. For this, you can access the official Autodesk website , locate the latest version called “Autodesk 3ds Max” and proceed to download it to your computer.
After the download is complete, run the installation file and wait a few seconds for the installation process to complete. You will notice that you have obtained a trial version that expires after a limited time.
Access the 3D Studio Max program
To open the test application of the 3D Studio Max program, you can type in the Windows search engine “Autodesk 3ds Max” or locate the icon of the program on the desktop and double click on it.
Add a plan in 3D Studio Max
In the window that corresponds to the 3D Studio Max interface, locate the “Create” panel and select the “Plane” option . Go to the upper left corner where the “Front” view panel is located and slide the mouse from this part to the lower right corner. See if a white plane has been added to the scene.
Edit the plan
To be able to edit the plan, you must access the “Material Editor” through the “M” key . Locate the “Basic Color Parameters” and choose “2 Sided.” In “Auto-Illumination of basic Blinn parameters” enter the value 100 to change the color.
Afterwards, look for the section “Blinn basic parameters” and select the gray box that you will find next to the “Diffuse” option.
Insert the image
Choose the “Bitmap” option and locate the image you want to add from your PC’s hard drive . Then, click on the name of the image file and press the “Open” key.
Assign the image to the plane
It is essential to assign the image to the plane . To do this, select the plane of the front view and in the “Image Editor” choose the option “Assign selection material”. This will map your image on the 3D Studio Max map.
Finally, press the button “View show map” in order to view the image plane from the 3D Studio Max desktop. If you save the plan, you will be able to view it with the rest of the files of this type in the Windows 3D objects folder .
