3ds Max 2010: The Graphite Modeling Tools, Day 2

on Jul 28th 2009 with 27 comments
Tutorial Details
This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series 3ds Max 2010: Graphite Modeling Tools

3ds Max 2010 introduces a vast array of new tools and features, not the least of which, are the new Graphite Modeling Tools. In this two part tutorial video tutorial series, professional game environment artist, Kaleb Aylsworth, will walk you through all of these new tools, and show you how to use them effectively in a practical, every day workflow.

In the first part of the series, Kaleb will spend over an hour demonstrating a majority of the tools and their various functions, and in the second part, he will spend two hours modeling a tropical jungle tree, using the graphite and freeform modeling tools in place of his traditional methods.

This is part 2 of the series: Using the Tools in a Practical Workflow Environment.

Final Effect Preview

Video 1

Note: click the ‘Monitor’ icon to view tutorial in full-screen HD.

Video 2

Note: click the ‘Monitor’ icon to view tutorial in full-screen HD.

Video 3

Note: click the ‘Monitor’ icon to view tutorial in full-screen HD.

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By

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Kaleb Aylsworth is the old Cgtuts+ editor. He is also a video game Environment Artist with over 3 years of professional experience. He is currently employed at Digital Extremes in Canada, and working on an un-announced AAA title.  

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  • Brick Top

    Thx again man, much appreciated!!!

  • Lee

    cool

    Im still wondering if there will be any xsi tuts coming up.

    I am happy about the 3dsmax tuts.

    thanks for the hard work Kaleb

    • http://kaleb-3d.com Kaleb Aylsworth
      Author

      It has been hard to find authors for XSI tuts, as there are not quite as many of them out there anymore, but not to worry…I have one in the works right now, and it’s gonna be a good one:)

  • http://laranzjoe.blogspot.com lawrence77

    Kaleb thank you very much…..

    Much appreciated for this series…..

    Soon going to watch it in my busy hours… ;)

  • Andrew M

    Awesome tutorial! I can’t wait to get my hands on the graphite tools. Perhaps we could get a new tutorial to build on the scene, with grass on the island, texturing and lighting for an outdoor scene?

    • http://kaleb-3d.com Kaleb Aylsworth
      Author

      I hadn’t thought about that, but it is a definite possibility.

      I could pick up where the last one left off, and show how I actually added the leaves. Then I could optimize the trunk for realtime, Unwrap, and texture it (with normal maps for the bark and alpha planes for the grass), and finally add some lights and a skybox environment. If enough people say that this is something they would like, then consider it done:)

      • Andrew M

        People need to speak up then =D. It’s always great to get a mixture of different areas of composing a scene in one tutorial.

      • Kextype

        Getting this into a game engine would be great at a poly count thats viable too for current generation games + uv texturing normal mapping it would be great. Im a maya user but would happy to see how its done in max .

      • valentious williams

        hey
        i do a good job modeling
        but i need a great tut for texture and uvw unwrap

      • AMc

        that would be cool

  • http://tutsplus.com Skellie

    Wonderful work Kaleb! :)

    • http://kaleb-3d.com Kaleb Aylsworth
      Author

      Thanks Skellie!:)

  • Leviathan

    Very Beautiful Tree !!!
    Thanks

  • Cristian Pop

    Nice tree ! It’s beautiful !

  • Mac

    Do you know that this whole graphite is nothing else that all features and functions that were allready in edit poly object gatheret in some tabs and some icons added ?

    • http://kaleb-3d.com Kaleb Aylsworth
      Author

      Not entirely true. Although many of the button in the Graphite tools ribbon are repeats of functions that were already in the edit poly modify panel, many more of them were merged in from “Poly Boost” (previously a 3rd party plugin), and many others are completely new to 3ds Max 2010.

  • daniel

    Hi Kaleb,

    Your tutorial was really helpful for a tree concept i am doing.
    I was wondering if you could tell me if it is possible to extrude a cylinder to a spline the same way you did for the trunk of the tree, but on a pline with x, y and z coordinates (in 3d if you like as opposed to only a 2d spline like you used in the front view)? I am having trouble exploding the trunk on a more complex 3d spline, it doesn’t follow my it. It works if you use the render in viewport option, but you cant taper or surve it.
    could i have some suggestions please ?

    thankyou

    dan

    • http://kaleb-3d.com Kaleb Aylsworth
      Author

      I’ll look into as soon as I get a free minute….(newborn baby in the house = very busy…ALL THE TIME!)

  • timmy

    thanks dude!nice

  • fasal

    good job kaleb…

    can we possible some other easy methods..
    thanks…

  • Mia

    Thank you sooooo much Kaleb! All your tuts are stunning! (and the tree is cute!)

    • http://kaleb-3d.com Kaleb Aylsworth
      Author

      Thanks Mia:)

  • saaaed

    thaaannnnnnnnk aj ???iwont to kenw about that vfx you used it &tansltion from car to anoth er plese whowwwwwwww

  • Nana Yaw

    Good stuff gonna try that in 2Hrs later

  • Lola

    the links are not working =C i was looking forward to try this

    • http://www.badgrenola.com Matt Brealey

      Hi Lola,

      Sorry to hear you’re having trouble. I’ve just double-checked the tutorial and everything seems to be working here. What exactly are you having trouble with?

      Thanks,

      Matt

  • Evgeny

    Thanks from Russia!
    For this simple and VERY USEFUL tut-l!

    Everything is explained lucidly with literate speech (without any accent!))).

    Vote for a continuation of this lesson: apply materials (stem, leaves, sand) and lighting.

    Thank you again for the lesson. Now I know how to optimally simulate the trees!