Q: Where can I find some very basic MAX tutorials on the Web?

A: This is the second TBT. It shows a quick way for modeling an Apple.
It works with any release of 3DS MAX and covers some basics of:
  • Shapes and Splines
  • Edit Spline
  • Lathe - Surface of Revolution
  • Basic Objects - Cylinder
  • Basic Modifiers - Taper and Bend.

    The Apple

  • Start your 3DS MAX.
  • MAX 1.x only: Right-click on the Viewport's name saying "Perspective" and select the top entry of the drop-down list to get into Shaded mode.
  • Press the "S" key to turn "Snap" on.
  • Right-click in the "Front" viewport to activate it.
  • In the "Create" tab, click on "Shapes".
  • Click on "Circle"
  • Click and hold with the mouse in the Front viewport to define the center of the Circle, then drag the mouse while still holding the button to define the radius.
  • Activate the "Modify" tab and click on "EditSpline". The Sub-Object button will be activated automatically (yellow) and will be in Vertex mode.
  • Click with the mouse to select the left vertex of the circle.
  • Press the "Delete" key to delete the vertex.
  • Select "Segment" from the Sub-Object drop-down list.
  • Click on the left segment to select it - it turns red.
  • Right-click on the selected segment and select "Line".
    You have a half-circle now.
  • Select "Vertex" for Sub-Object mode again.
  • Activate the "Select and Move" icon.
  • Select the right vertex of the shape and move it up and to the right.
  • Select the upper vertex and move its tangent's left control point down.
  • Select the bottom vertex and move its tangent's left control point up.
  • Click on "Sub-Object" to deactivate it.
  • In the Modify tab, click on "Lathe". You should have the apple object now. You can increase the number of segments to adjust detail.
  • Go to the "Create" tab / "Geometry"
  • Right-click in the Top Viewport.
  • Create a Cylinder in the middle of the apple. Set the number of Segments to 10.
  • In the Front viewport, move the Cylinder up.
  • Go to the Modify tab and apply a Tapper modifier with Amount 1,0 and Curve -2,0.
  • Apply a Bend modifier with Angle 30,0.

    Congratulations! You just made an Apple...