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CHAPTER 1 GettinG to Know 3ds Max desiGn 2010
Using the Cube Creation Method
You can also create a cube directly by selecting the Cube radio button in the Creation Method rollout.
If there is a series of related input boxes—such as the Length, Width, and Height boxes in
the previous exercise—the Tab key lets you advance from one field to the next. You’ll find that
numeric input boxes and spinners are quite common throughout 3ds Max Design 2010.
Setting the Spinner Rate of Change
If you hold down the Ctrl key while you move a spinner, the rate of change in the spinner value
increases. The Alt key has the opposite effect, decreasing the rate of change. The higher the numeric
value in the spinner, the faster the rate of change, and vice versa.
Working with Objects
Now that you’ve seen the main elements of the 3ds Max interface, let’s take a look at how you
interact with objects in the viewport. You’ll start by looking at a way to move the box you’ve just
created. Then you’ll learn how you can view your box from different angles.
Selecting and Moving Objects
3ds Max’s basic editing tools are simple and straightforward, although it may take a little
explaining for you to grasp the finer points. As with most graphics programs, you use a
Selection tool to select objects. This tool is typically shown on the toolbar as an up arrow that
looks like the standard Windows cursor.
1. Click the Select Object tool in the main toolbar.
2. Click on a blank area of the viewport. This clears any selections that may currently be
active.
3. Move the cursor over the box. Notice that the cursor turns into a plus (+) sign. This tells
you that the cursor has found a selectable object.
4. Click the box to select it. A graphic displays, showing the X, Y, and Z orientation of the
box in relation to the viewport (see Figure 1.21). Also notice that in the Perspective view,
marks like 3D corner marks appear at the corners of the box. These are called selection
brackets, and they indicate graphically the objects that are selected.
With the box selected, you can go to the Modify tab of the Command panel and edit its prop-
erties, or you can use any number of other editing tools to affect the box.
Let’s continue by looking at one of the more basic editing tools you’ll use—the Select and
Move tool.
1. Click the Select and Move tool in the main toolbar. Notice that the graphics indicating the
box selection change and new ones appear.
2. Place the cursor on the box. It changes into the Select and Move icon.
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