hello, hello.

i have found a pretty dang good intro video for those of you wanting an intro into 3ds_max basics. it's only 30 minutes long, the guys doing it are fairly entertaining and it is a good intro into where things are in the program.

these highly efficient 30 minutes will get you ready to roll for monday's class in a quick-quick way. to get to these go to the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaTqyNcWcNk

and as a mode of motivation, we will have a quiz over the 3ds-max video on monday. this quiz will replace your lowest quiz grade for this term and will come directly from this 30 minute video. so there is nothing to fear regarding this one as long as you watch the video.

because of this the rev-it quiz will be moved to tuesday, not monday.

also if you go to the blog [ www.archcomp.blogspot.com ] you will find the form_z take-home quiz that is due at the beginning of class on monday. If you’re reading this on the blog, just scroll down and you’ll see it.

enjoy a weekend of progressive work and try to get ahead. there will be no time to look back come monday, it's time to finish strong.

The room’s available for your using pleasure, so take advantage of it!

jn.

form_z take-home quiz!

class.

there are a series of images included. they are what you need to follow the instructions below. the goal is to get yours to look as closely to mine as possible. the more it does, the better your grade will be. [note: my images did get a bit skewed proportionally while importing them, so stick to the dimensions below rather than just 'eye-balling' the dimensions.]

basics:

the main box is 12' x 12' x 12'

it is set at a 45* angle to the x-axis.

based from the origin (0,0,0)

the hole removed from the inside is a 5' x 5' x 5' box.

based from point (5',5',5').

set at an angle of 0*.

'b-split' the small box from the larger.

move the remians of the small box from the inside of the bigger to the top of the void created by it's removal and 'difference' that piece out.

these steps will create the geometry of the inner void of the final piece.

change your picking parameter from 'object' to 'hole/volume' and select the inner void. round the edges of that void. 'p-round' options box check the box that says "adjust radius to fit angle".

the four side-edges of the big box are rounded as a 'p-round'. check the same box in the options menu. the edges on the front and back faces are not rounded. to do this, the pick parameter needs to be changed from 'hole/volume' to 'segment' and the specific line segments selected.

the main box should have the material parameters at the left in the "outside box" help image. set this material up just like this.

the inside faces of the inner-void should be materialized just like the help image entitled "style 1".

add a spot light that shines into the void so as to not loose it visibly.

good luck. this quiz is due at the beginning of class on monday. we will be printing it out on

the phaser 850.

today's second post: weekend update!

class.

for anyone interested i will be offering a brief intro into 3ds_max interface and modeling basics tomorrow, saturday august 4th from 3.30 until sometime between 5 and 6. starting monday we will jump straight into materials, lighting and animation, so we will have NO time for the interface or modeling. anyone that wants to come is welcome. it is not required that you do so.

i can make the lab available to any and all of you at any time during this weekend. just be sure to give me a little advanced notice and the lab will be yours for the using. there is much to do before wednesday, so this wekend is crucial to your survival in the course. don't waste these final moments to finish strong!

also, as i mentioned in class the first friday art trail is going on tonight and i will be willing to give anyone whos shows me evidence of their attendance some extra credit for doing so. bring me a photo, brochure, postcard, etc. you must simply show me that you went to tonights art walk and you'll get some points. it starts at 6, ends at 9. more details can be found at www.ffat.org

have a nice weekend. i am available to help if you need me this weekend; just call or email.

joshua m. nason

more alternate form_z tutorials!!! you're welcome!

if you did not complete the teapothammer tutorial or the arch and you need to yet complete your form-z tutorials for this course there are options below. you can substitute a tutorial below for which ever one you are currently missing.

http://www.formz.com/support/tutorials.html
look in the light blue column to the right. at about the bottom of the screen before you scroll you will begin to see the section that sais:

"Roger Harris Tutorials
form·Z HandbookWritten originally for form•Z 2.9, this tutorial contains tips and tricks that are still relevant and useful. You may brouse through this PDF document or download it. It is 8 Mb.
Download the PDF
or Download a compressed file:Mac Win
Modeling the USS Enterprise"

Click on either Mac or Win depending on the type of computer you have and this will download the FORM_Z HANDBOOK.

note: the HANDBOOK is different than the manual, the manual does not have these tutorials!!!!
you can do the speaker cabinet that is on pages 12-30.
and then you can do: the teapot which is on pages 32-44.
either will do.

if you have completed the aforementioned tutorials i will accept either of these as extra credit. however, do not do poorly on the required work in order to complete some extra credit. do your main work as well as possible first. then, if there is time, you can go into the extra credit assignments.

good luck and let me know if you need help this weekend. the room should be available as shall i!
jn.

form_Z tutorials

dearest class.
apparently we can no longer gain access to the columbia website to access the tutorials.
i hope that by now you are done with the arch and the hammer/teapot.
if you were working on the phone for extra credit, i hope you are done with that one as well.
if you have not finished a tutorial in form_z send me an email immediately, so that i can help set you up with a back up plan.
the link below will lead you to an alternate tutorial.

jn.

ftp://ftp.formz.com/pub/formz/PDF_files/50_Tutorial/38_A_sail_boat.pdf