3ds Max is the leading 3D modeling, animation, and rendering solution for artists, schools, and production environments. The unique tutorial approach of this book permits readers to learn essential techniques that every 3D artist needs to create CG environments by recreating the earth’s elements of earth, air, fire and water. No extra plug-ins are required to perform the exercises. Draper studies the real world and then simlates it with 3ds Max -a unique approach that reflects classical art training.

"Deconstructing the Elements" allows artists to re-create natural effects using Autodesk® 3ds Max®. This new edition boasts all new tutorials. All editorial content is updated to be current with the current version of 3ds Max. Inspirational images cover every page as the author shares his professional insight, detailing the how and why of each effect, ensuring the reader a complete understanding of all the processes involved.

The companion web site includes all of the tutorials from the previous two editions, only available to purchasers of this 3rd edition - plus all new tutorials of the current edition. It’s like getting 3 books in one!

--"This book is the definitive text on 3ds Max effects using Particles and Dynamics....Pete sets the standard." Mark Gerhard, M&E Applications Engineer, Imaginit Technologies, USA.
--Draper is award-winning Max luminary, was nominated this year for an Autodesk Max Master Award 2007 (at SIGGRAPH).
--Official Autodesk Max Techniques book: co-published with Autodesk Media and Entertainment.
--Packed with 4-color illustrations that direct and inspire the reader - the book has received rave reviews both online and in industry magazines; it’s also recommended reading for several CG university courses.
--3 books in one - all previous editions are now available to the purchaser of this edition, with the new companion web site that offers all tutorials from the two previous editions, plus 6 hours of video tutorials.

Great Book! But the website was a bad idea.

First off the book is great, and Pete Draper comes through again with many great tutorials. You will learn much from the book itself once you are able to download some of the files. Once the web issues are fixed, this book should be second to none.

I was tempted to give four stars because of the support media, which must be downloaded from a website(which still doesn’t work properly as of today(Jan.5th 2009)). But the book deserves a high rating and should not be based on actions of the publisher. Pete has made mention that he is frustrated with the website, and I do not blame him for this.

I cannot download all the files and the larger ones 441MB quit about one third to half way through. Also the video tutorials on the site play for 3-5 seconds, then something happens to the audio(slow streaming?). The video tutorials are long I often could not sit through an entire tutorial, and had to watch them in pieces, which is no longer an option on the web site as I don’t see how I can get to the same spot a day later. And many of the tutorials are not available online yet.

I believe the DVD was a much better distribution format and hope they will go back to that.(PLEASE!!!)

Great book for all 3ds Max users

Good book.

Unfortunately, the advertised in the book link to the website with all files and video tutorials does not work.