Mastering 3D Studio MAX R3 [With CDROM]

I have 8 Max books in my reference library, and this title ranks in a class by itself as the best (correction: the ONLY) and most clearly written text for beginners. Other reviewers find fault with files missing from the CD; there's not enough room here to list the TEXT errors rampant in virtually all of the so-called "advanced" books. Use this book as an essential springboard for a thorough understanding of how Max works ... the transition to more advanced texts will be that much easier. The authors deserve 6 stars for their efforts.

I pretty much learn every feature of software that I set out to learn. I chose this book because it seemed like it would get me closest to learning it all for a first book, knowing that it wouldn't take me all the way. It's a great book by all means. Sure there are some missing files on the CD but things like that are easy to fix with the internet at our disposal. I've read almost the whole thing now and it hasn't disappointed me at all. I'll probably be a bit more disappointed with other books that I buy because I'll be trying to find out things that this book didn't cover. I'd have to say that this is a great first book for someone who plans to peg the whole program down to a professional level within a few years. I can't understand why it would ever get bad reviews because it seems like the authors really cared to bring the most info across in the most straight foreward way possible. You don't even have to read this baby from front to back. You can open it up and start doing something advanced using step by step instructions right away. Very simple and concise. Good reference tool also.

As the author of this book, I understand and share the frustration of missing files. Those that purchase the book can contact me directly and I will immeadiately forward a CD with any missing files to them, at no extra charge. (My contact info is in the book.) But the great thing about the book is that the wealth of information in the book not reliant on the files on the CD. As an experienced 3D Studio Max Trainer for Discreet, I am exposed to hundreds of new users a year. They all have common threads of knowledge they are seeking. I have tried to summarize all those bits of knowledge in this book. Of course no book is perfect, and experience on this program is never found in a book. But I believe this book serves its purpose of raising the level of knowledge about 3D Studio in a different way from other Max books. And those that read it are looking to learn something new, not be told how to do something different. Those people will benefit and be better Max artists because of it. Of course, I am biased because its my book. If you do purchase my book, I encourage constructive comments and feed back. - Good Reading.. CM