8
xviii Introduction
Scripting
• Analyze and correct problem scripts with the
new
MAXScript debugger (page 3–826)
,which
follows the industry-standard method for
debugging scripts. Set breakpoints and isolate
issues in any script.
• Rewritten expression and sc ripted controllers
now have full M AXScript support. Name
dependencies have been removed so that
scripted controllers c an be merged, XRefed,
and copied in the same way as other controller
types.
• MAXScript SQL Connect and Queries lets
programmersandTDsbuildscriptstoquery
a database, permitting increased automa tion
within a complex pipeline.
3ds Max Documentation S et
The documentation set for 3ds Max
®
combines
online and printed material.
• 3ds Max 8 I nst a ll at ion Guide: Contains
complete installation and configuration
instructions,aswellasReadThisFirst
information to help you get started.
The
Installation Guide
includes information
about system requirements and
troubleshooting. It also tells you how to
uninstall 3ds Max.
For 3ds Max, the
Installation Guide
is available
printed, as well as in PDF format on the product
disc, in the
\manuals
folder .
• 3ds Max 8 New Features Guide: This printed
document presents the new features of 3ds Max
8. While intended primarily for upgraders
already familiar with 3ds Max, we also hope
that users new to the progr am wi ll be able to
profit from the visual approach and tips for
usage of these new features.
APDFversionofthisguideisalsoavailable
electronically; choose Help menu > New
Features Guide to view it online.
• 3ds Max 8 User Referen ce: The online
reference covers fundamental concepts and
strategies for using the product, as well as
details about the features of 3ds Max. In this
version of the product, the
User Reference
is
availableonlineonly.
A ccess the reference online by choosing Help
> User Reference.
• 3ds Ma x 8 Tutor ia ls: Contains tutorial
information and detailed procedures to walk
you through increasingly complex operations.
This is the best source for learning 3ds Max.
Access the online version of the tutorials by
choosingHelp>Tutorials.
Note: Allthesamplefilesrequiredtodothe
tutorials are found on the program disc. None
ofthesefilesareinstalledautomatically.
The printed
3ds Max Tutorials
book duplicates
a subset of the online tutorials.
Note: Due to print time requirements, s ome
topics in the printed tutorials could differ
slightly from the online version. Where there is
a difference, the online version is more current.
• Backburner Reference: Describes procedures
for rendering with networked computers.
Avai lable from the 3ds Max Reference online
Contents tab.
• reactor Reference: Describes the reactor
system for physical simulation. Available f rom
the 3ds Max Reference online C ontents tab.
• MAX Script Refer ence: Describes the
MAXScript scripting language (page 1–xx)
.
This reference is available online only. Check
out the “Learning MAXScript” chapter there if
you’re new to MAXScript.