What is 3ds Max?

3D Studio Max (sometimes called 3ds Max or just MAX) is a software 3-dimensional vector graphics and animation, written by Autodesk Media & Entertainment (formerly known as Discreet and Kinetix. The software was developed from 3D Studio fo DOS predecessor, but for Win32 platforms. Kinetix later merged with Autodesk's latest acquisition, Discreet Logic. the latest version of 3ds Max can be seen in usa.autodesk.com.

glance

3ds Max is one of the software packages most widely used today, due to several reasons such as the use of Microsoft Windows platform, the versatile editing capabilities, and a lot of plugin architecture.
Modelling methods

There are 5 basic modeling methods:
• Modeling with primitives
• NURMS (subdivision surfaces)
• Surface tool
• NURBS
• Polygon Modeling
Modeling with primitives

This is the basic method, in which a person form a model using a lot of boxes, balls, "cone", cylinders, and other objects that have been provided. A person can also apply boolean operations, including reduction, cutting, and merging. For example, one can make two balls that can work as a blob that will dissolve. This is called "modeling balloon".
mental Ray

Mental Ray is a rendering engine (the engine to render an image or video) found on the program 3D Studio Max, in addition to the standard max rendering the "Default Scanline". Mental Ray is integrated with 3D Studio Max, so no need to install separately. Mental ray has several advantages that can calculate the effects of Global Illumination and Indirect Illumination, but it can also use the shader on the surface of an image or light. Other than the rendering engine is a V-Ray Mental Ray, Brazil R / S, Maxwell Render, Final Render, and so on. All the rendering engine has advantages of each.