Here are 100 chapter titles for a 3ds Max course focused on game development, progressing from beginner to advanced:
I. Foundations (Beginner - 20 Chapters)
- Introduction to 3ds Max Interface
- Navigation and Viewport Controls
- Object Creation: Primitives and Basic Shapes
- Transformations: Move, Rotate, Scale
- Selection Techniques and Object Grouping
- Working with Layers and Scene Organization
- Introduction to Modifiers: Stack and Non-Destructive Editing
- Basic Modeling Techniques: Extrude, Bevel, Inset
- Creating Simple Game Assets: Crates, Barrels, etc.
- Understanding Polygon Modeling
- Introduction to UV Mapping and Texturing
- Material Basics: Standard Materials and Shaders
- Rendering Fundamentals: Setting Up a Basic Render
- Introduction to Lighting in 3ds Max
- Working with Cameras
- Importing and Exporting Game Assets
- Setting Project Units and Preferences
- Customizing the 3ds Max Interface
- Keyboard Shortcuts and Efficiency Tips
- Your First Game Asset: A Low-Poly Model
II. Intermediate Modeling & Texturing (Intermediate - 30 Chapters)
- Advanced Polygon Modeling Techniques: Bridging, Welding, and Cutting
- Subdivision Surface Modeling
- Creating High-Poly Models for Baking
- UV Unwrapping Complex Models
- Texturing Workflows for Games: PBR and Spec/Gloss
- Creating Textures in External Programs (Photoshop, Substance Painter)
- Baking Normal Maps and Other Maps
- Working with Material Instances and Variations
- Introduction to Character Modeling
- Modeling Game Props: Weapons, Furniture, etc.
- Environment Modeling Basics: Creating Modular Assets
- Creating LODs (Levels of Detail) for Game Assets
- Optimizing Models for Real-Time Performance
- Understanding Game Asset Pipelines
- Working with 3ds Max's UV Editor
- Advanced Material Techniques: Blending and Layering
- Introduction to Rigging and Skinning
- Setting Up a Basic Skeleton
- Skinning a Character Model
- Introduction to Animation in 3ds Max
- Creating Simple Animations: Walk Cycles, Idle Animations
- Exporting Animations for Game Engines
- Working with Constraints and Helpers
- Introduction to Particle Systems
- Creating Special Effects with Particles
- Rendering Game Assets with Transparency
- Understanding Alpha Channels and Masks
- Working with Displacement Maps
- Introduction to Scripting in 3ds Max (MAXScript)
- Automating Tasks with MAXScript
III. Advanced Techniques & Game-Specific Workflows (Advanced - 50 Chapters)
- Advanced Character Modeling Techniques: Anatomy and Proportions
- Creating Realistic Hair and Fur
- Sculpting in 3ds Max with Sculpt Mode
- Retopology Techniques for Optimized Models
- Advanced UV Mapping and Packing
- Creating Tileable Textures
- Procedural Texture Generation
- Advanced Rigging and Skinning Techniques: Joint Placement and Weight Painting
- Creating Complex Rigs: Facial Rigs, Vehicle Rigs
- Animation Principles and Techniques
- Creating Realistic Animations: Lip Syncing, Acting
- Working with Motion Capture Data
- Advanced Particle System Techniques: Simulations and Effects
- Creating Volumetric Effects
- Rendering with Different Render Engines (V-Ray, Arnold)
- Optimizing Rendering Settings for Performance
- Introduction to Game Engine Integration
- Exporting Assets to Unity
- Exporting Assets to Unreal Engine
- Working with FBX Format
- Creating Custom Export Scripts
- Advanced Shader Creation in 3ds Max
- Understanding Shader Languages (HLSL, GLSL)
- Creating Custom Shaders for Games
- Working with Normal Map Baking in Detail
- Ambient Occlusion Baking
- Light Map Baking for Game Environments
- Creating Light Probes
- Optimizing Game Environments for Lighting
- Level Design in 3ds Max: Blockouts and Greyboxing
- Creating Prefabs for Game Levels
- Working with Terrain in 3ds Max
- Creating Realistic Landscapes
- Introduction to 3ds Max's SDK
- Developing Custom Tools and Plugins
- Scripting for Game Development Workflows
- Pipeline Development for Game Studios
- Version Control for 3ds Max Files
- Collaborative Workflows in 3ds Max
- Performance Optimization for Large Scenes
- Troubleshooting Common 3ds Max Issues
- Staying Up-to-Date with 3ds Max Features
- Building a 3ds Max Portfolio for Games
- Job Hunting in the Game Industry
- Freelancing as a 3ds Max Artist
- The Future of 3D Modeling for Games
- Emerging Technologies in Game Art
- VR and AR Development with 3ds Max
- Mobile Game Asset Creation in 3ds Max
- Continuous Learning and Skill Development in 3ds Max