Preface: Arranging Your Workspace
Something that always helps me is configuring my workspace so it’s more convenient for my needs and easier to move around. 3DS Max allows for pretty good configuration so I’ll overview that quickly.
Open the Customize menu and select “Viewport Configuration”. There are a lot of options here I don’t know about or use, but I’m primarily focused on “Layout”.
As you can see there are several configurations to choose from. I prefer this one, and by right-clicking on each viewport you can pick your particular view for that field. So this is how I set my workspace up each time:
Step 1: Importing and Arranging Your Models
Following the steps in “Basics” import a model into your scene. As soon as it appears click the “Group” menu and select “Group”. Assign a name for your model.
Now your model will be controlled as a single unit instead of several smaller pieces. This is especially useful when you get several models and objects together in a scene and need to continually move things around.
Step 2: Setting Your Camera View
On the right side of your screen will be your object panel (the cursor with a starburst). Select the 4th button (the camera) then click “Target”. Now choose a view to place your camera. I find Top to be the easiest to do this. Click in front of your model to place the camera, then drag towards your model until the end of the camera cone is roughly in the middle of your model.
With your camera still selected, right-click inside your Perspective viewport (mine’s the big one on top) until you get a menu that looks like this:
You may need to right-click several times to get it to show up. Select “Set View to Selected Camera”. Now your Perspective viewport shows you what your camera sees.
Step 3: Rendering Your Background Image
The first thing you need to do is get your background image to show up in your viewport so you can arrange your models. In the “Views” menu select “Viewport Background”. Click on “Files” and browse to the image you want to use. Note: You will be rendering on top of this image and resaving it so it’s best to start with an uncompressed image so you don’t lose quality with further tinkering.
Once you’ve opened your image you’ll need to configure a few settings. First, make sure “Viewport” is set to “Camera01″ or whatever your camera is called. Next, set “Match Bitmap” in the Aspect Ratio box. Finally, check “Display Background” and “Lock Zoom/Pan”. Click “OK” and your background image should now be visible in your camera viewport.
Now your background is visible in the viewport but you need to tell 3DS to render onto that image. To do this, go to “Environment” in the Rendering menu. Under Common Parameters, Background should show a solid color (probably black) and a box that says “None”. Click that box to bring up the Material/Map Browser box, then double-click Bitmap.
Once again, browse to your background image and click “Open”.
Close the “Environment and Effects” box. There won’t be any visible changes to your workspace at this time.
Step 4: Render Your Scene
Now you’re ready to render the model onto your background. Open the Render menu (F10) and set the Output Width and Height to the exact same dimensions as your background image. This is important!! Verify that your Viewport is set to “Camera01″ (or whatever) and click the lock icon as you’ll probably be making adjustments later. Now click “Render” and see your results.
Extra: Working with Cameras
The best way to familiarize yourself with the cameras is to just play around with them, but there are a few easy tips I can offer.
Moving the Camera
- Moving the camera by either end will change the angle of your view; it will allow you to look down on or up at your model.
- Moving the camera by the middle of the cone will allow you to adjust how much space is above or below your model without changing the viewing angle.
Zoom
- Zooming in by shortening the length of the viewing cone will make your model appear more 3D while leaving background models more indistinct.
- Zooming in by moving the camera closer to your model – without adjusting the cone size – will give your scene more perspective by keeping background models sharper. (this effect isn’t very noticeable with small scenes)
Don’t be afraid to move your camera all over the place and render to see what happens. Now is the time to do it, while rendering only takes a few seconds!