In this series of 14 free videos, we use various polygon tools to model a piece of furniture. Our design is inspired by reference images from the real world. Over the course of the two-hour series, we explore the following learning outcomes:

Project Folders
Scene Layout
Editable Spline
Extrude and Sweep Modifiers
Editable Poly
Loft Compound Object
Basic Materials

Supplemental material:

Lesson Notes

Lesson Notes complement tutorials. They reduce complex multi-stage procedures in 3ds Max to short bullet points. Brief explanations reinforce key concepts. The outline format helps learners focus on the content, rather than spend a lot of time reading. To access Lesson Notes, you need to join the guild.

Here is a sample of the Lesson Notes:

1. Scene setup
   1. File > Set Project Folder
   2. Customize > Units Setup > Display Units Setup
      1. Change to Fractional Inches (or whatever)
      2. Do not change the System Unit Setup
   3. Grid
      1. Right-click on any magnet icon
      2. In Home Grid tab
         1. Grid Spacing: 1”
         2. Major Lines Every Nth Grid Line: 12
         3. Perspective View Grid Extent: 24
   4. Save
2. 3D forms from 2D Shapes
   1. Seat base: Extrude
      1. Top view: Create a Rectangle
      2. Center on origin, especially X axis
      3. Front of model is facing in the negative Y direction
         1. In Top viewport, model faces toward bottom of screen
      4. Right-click > Convert > Convert to Editable Spline
         1. Convert to Editable destroys primitive parameters such as Length
      5. Delete one Segment at back of chair
      6. Right-click magnet icon, enable Snap to Vertex
      7. Create Arc
      8. Select Rectangle, Attach Arc
      9. Weld vertices
      10. Create > Helpers > Tape
          1. Pin Stack while moving Tape Target
      11. Transform Sub-objects to shape the seat base
      12. Apply Extrude Modifier