Review of 3ds max 5 Bible [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

Be warned, I am a pretty harsh grader.
Well first off this edition does not contain the entire book in a pdf file for easy reading on a laptop/computer so that was definatly a minus.One of the reasons I liked 3DS Max 4 Bible was because you didn't have to carry around the entire book (I've had encyclopidia sets smaller that this folks).
Other than that no real complaints.Newbies will not get much out of this one as this is more of a reference book and not a book of tutorials and techniques.
The book is well written and give good (black and white) photos of what certain effects and/or modifiers look like.I give it 3 stars because its a solid reference book but when you think "bible" your kind of hopeing for more than refence.

Product Description
* Shows how to build an animation right away.
* Gives users valuable hands-on experience under the expert guidance of 3D master Kelly Murdock.
* Includes a 16-page full-color insert explaining how to push the limits of max.
* Explores the major program changes that are expected with the next release of 3ds max.
* Provides tutorial files from the book, trial versions of related software, and exclusive plug-ins on the enclosed CD-ROM.

From the Back Cover
"This book is a valuable and insightful resource for beginning and advanced 3D artists alike looking to harness the most power from the vast capabilities of 3ds max 5."
-Phillip Miller, Vice President, Discreet Animation Products Group

• Build your first dynamic animation project today with unique Quick Start guide
• Master all the new features found in 3ds max 5 including Global Illumination, Radiosity, Character Posing, and Layers
• Create cutting-edge special effects for video, motion pictures, games, and television

If 3ds max 5 can do it, you can do it too . . .

Plunge into the world of professional animation with 3D expert Kelly Murdock, whose easy-to-follow tutorials and fluid explanations make this book a must-have for beginners and experienced users alike. He meets you wherever you are as a 3ds max user and elevates your skills to the next level. If you're a veteran, here is the indispensable road map to the complex variations of version 5. If you're meeting "Max" for the first time, the amazing Quick Start teaches you to build an eye-popping animation in your very first session!

Inside, you'll find complete coverage of 3ds max 5

• Add realistic lighting to your images with 3ds max 5's new Advanced Lighting features including Global Illumination, Radiosity, Photometric Lights, and Area Shadows
• Explore such new modeling features as Character Assemblies, improved bone tools, poseable skin, and a host of new poly object modeling additions such as extruding along a spline
• Increase scene details with materials and maps like the new Ink 'n' Paint material
• Automate the animation process with many improvements to the Track View, including Auto Tangents and Soft Selections
• Investigate new transform gizmos and other new version 5 interface elements

Bonus CD-ROM

• 3ds max, Version 5 demo
• All tutorial sample files, models, and bitmaps
• Exclusive plug-ins from Furious Research, including Rainbow atmospheric effect, Sketch render effect, and many more

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