Getting Started: Animated Battle Scene

This tutorial, intended for those new to 3ds Max, offers a quick introduction to the world of 3D.

Using basic features of the program, you’ll create a simple battlefield scene made up of a cannon, a rock, a tree, and a windmill. You’ll also add a camera and use it to view the scene from different angles.

The final steps show you how to add some basic animation, then turn the results into a multimedia file.

The battlefield

In this tutorial, you will learn how to:

Open a scene
View a scene from different angles and perspectives
Model objects and apply realistic materials
Move and animate objects
Render the scene and save it as a multimedia file

Skill level: Beginner

Time to complete: 1 hour

Preparation for This Tutorial

If you have not already downloaded the tutorial files (MAX scenes and other assets), download them now and unzip them into a project folder called \Autodesk 3ds Max 2011 tutorials. See Where to Find Tutorial Files.
On the Quick Access toolbar, click (Project Folder) and set your current project to Autodesk 3ds Max 2011 Tutorials.

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