In this lesson, you'll create two primitive objects, then modify their parameters so they take on the appearance of a rock and a tree.

Set up the scene:

• Continue from the previous lesson.

Create a rock:

1. On the Create panel, click (Geometry), then in the Object Type rollout, click Sphere.

   The button highlights to show that it is active and ready to use.

   

2. Create a sphere in the Top viewport by holding down the left mouse button anywhere to the front and left of the cannon (see the next illustration) and dragging away from where you started. As long as you hold the mouse button down, you can adjust the size of the sphere. When you release the mouse button, the sphere is complete.
   TipYour sphere might be a different color from the one in the illustration.

   

   Create a sphere.

   

   The sphere in the camera viewport

3. On the Modify panel Parameters rollout, change the Radius setting to 25 and press Enter.

   

   The sphere changes size in the viewport. In 3ds Max, it’s typical practice to rough out an object with the mouse, then refine it on a rollout.

4. Click the Modifier List drop-down menu and choose the Noise modifier.

   

5. In the Noise group, turn on Fractal, and in the Strength group, set X, Y, and Z to 30.0.

   

   The rock is taking shape, but it could be flatter.

6. On the main toolbar, click (Select and Uniform Scale).
7. In the Camera001 view, drag the gizmo Z axis downward until the rock object is about two-thirds its original height.

   

Change the name of the sphere:

1. In the Modify panel object name field, double-click the name Sphere001 to highlight it.

   

2. Type in rock to change the name of the sphere. Press Enter to set the new name.
   NotePressing Enter is an explicit way to change a parameter. 3ds Max also accepts a parameter change as soon as you click anywhere else in the 3ds Max window.

Create a tree:

1. On the Create panel, click (Geometry), then from the drop-down list (at present, it shows “Standard Primitives”), choose AEC Extended.

   

   AEC Extended objects are pre-built geometry, including railings, fences, and plants. They are a fast way to add realistic details to a scene.

2. On the Object Type rollout, click Foliage.
3. On the Favorite Plants rollout, choose Generic Oak as the species of tree.

   

4. Right-click the Top viewport to activate it, and add the tree to the scene by clicking a point slightly below and to the right of the rock.

   

   Create a tree

   To give the scene some atmosphere, we’ll make the tree appear stunted and battle-scarred.

5. With the tree still selected, on the Modify panel Parameters rollout, set Height to 150.

   

6. In the Show group, turn off Leaves, and in the Level-Of-Detail group, turn on Low to reduce the number of branches.
7. If you are not yet satisfied with the appearance of the tree, on the Parameters rollout click New.

   Each time you click this button, the Seed value is changed, causing the tree to undergo a random reconfiguration.

8. When you are satisfied with the appearance of the tree, re-name the Foliage001 object in the Name field using the same procedure you followed for the rock. Call this object oak_tree.
9. If the tree is obscuring your view of the windmill, feel free to move it aside using (Select And Move) on the main toolbar.

Next, you'll apply a material to your rock using the Material Editor.