ALL DESIGN TOOLS
89. Soft Shadows 3Dmax
• Cast soft shadows with a fast-rendering lighting array
• Break up text characters and animate individually
• Break up text characters and animate individually
Posted on May 20, 2009
1,251,521
TUTORIAL NOTES:
The technique in this tutorial can be translated for many other 3D programs including Cinema 4D, Blender and others.
Having trouble viewing this tutorial via YouTube?
Click Here To Watch on Video Copilot
Click Here To Watch on Video Copilot
287 Comments
farhan
12 years ago
Hey Andrew....
Please can u make tutorial same as this with the Element 3D TEXT.. i have been trying since very long.. please make one...
Please can u make tutorial same as this with the Element 3D TEXT.. i have been trying since very long.. please make one...
papua
13 years ago
How you can render it so fast...i render one single image for 2 minutes...with 8gb ram, ivy bridge gt660 2gb...wtf?
Binh
13 years ago
My Omni light shadows wasn't blur.
Could you teach me how to setup Omni light to make blur edge?
Could you teach me how to setup Omni light to make blur edge?
Nabeel Asmath
13 years ago
Guys help me when i am using omni light it works but i cannot see it unless i render it By the way great tut andrew ..
Hossein_grapH
14 years ago
This is the same technique that i were looking for
So much usable
Thanks alot
jay
14 years ago
Hi, andrew. im urs great fan..and regular client to visit ur video copilot sites.. i've almost seen urs all products, tuts...and many more.... i am from nepal..so..i didn't get any idea to purchase urs products... so kindly send me the way to buy urs products.... i am 3d artist..i use 3d max with after effects..all works in 64 bit...so.. plzz... send me the way to get urs products.
Zyrakion Lim
14 years ago
The steps looked so complicated...
I think I need months of practice before I can master it...
I think I need months of practice before I can master it...
adonais
14 years ago
Hi, I'm from Brazil! your tutorials are perfect! are the best
found! congratulations on the great work!
found! congratulations on the great work!
Cristian
14 years ago
I love your way to teach T_T.
You're so secure about what you're doing >!
I wanna be like you sir!
I GOING to be like you sir :3
You're so secure about what you're doing >
!I wanna be like you sir!
I GOING to be like you sir :3
mirzas
14 years ago
if we dosent get modify options.....follow this......
before making its instant copy.. set the light to given settings.. and then make copy if it..
it will help u..
before making its instant copy.. set the light to given settings.. and then make copy if it..
it will help u..
HOON KIM
14 years ago
I admire you. these lectures are exactly the one I was looking for.. Thank you.
ramyad
14 years ago
Great tutorial. PLEASE do more 3DS tutorials, you are a great teacher and would love to see more complex 3DS visual graphics and effects.
Syed Abdulrehman Mujtaba
15 years ago
Hi You are one of the best in giving tutorials I have used a lot and watch this videos to My channel www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpGyrW7W4nw
Thanks
Thanks
ryan
15 years ago
@david
when you create the copies of the light make sure you chose instance for all as the modify options dont show when you select both intances and copies
when you create the copies of the light make sure you chose instance for all as the modify options dont show when you select both intances and copies
David
15 years ago
Hi there. Can someone please help me? I select all the lights when he names it "array" but when I select all lights and hit modify the option to turn intensity and all those options go away. I can only get those options if I select the lights one at a time. If you have any ideas please share your thoughts and thank you
Fox
Fox
david
15 years ago
Looks like someone has helped themselves to this idea { If the link doesn't work , google 'SYFY logo'
http://www.geekologie.com/2009/03/16/syfy logo.jpg
http://www.geekologie.com/2009/03/16/syfy logo.jpg
navin
15 years ago
hey Andrew kramer U are great....Ur tutorial iz very helpfull...coz nw i learnd hw 2 create smoke trail effect....soon i will uplod it in youtube nd i will be givin d link hee thankz soooooooo much... 
Matthew Sabia
15 years ago
This also looks great if you turn the specularity and glossiness way up then add a Raytrace refection map at
Cjay
15 years ago
hi andrew im a mongolian man. You are greatest and best maker. Sorry my english too bad and im 16 years old. I can do more and more things use you tutorial. Thank you very much
Amit
15 years ago
hey
can u make a tutorial in which 3d text animate
and 3d text should from after effects only not cinema 4d or 3DS max
plz...
can u make a tutorial in which 3d text animate
and 3d text should from after effects only not cinema 4d or 3DS max
plz...
Paul
15 years ago
Hi Andrew,
i can't thank you and your team Enough for the great Work done. My skill in AE has greatly increased and i enjoy AE more than any other Software.
Keep the Good Work on. God Bless You Abundantly
i can't thank you and your team Enough for the great Work done. My skill in AE has greatly increased and i enjoy AE more than any other Software.
Keep the Good Work on. God Bless You Abundantly
Heather
15 years ago
Can this same effect be done with moving video rather than animated objects? For example, is there a way to add shadows to objects in a well-lit clip of raw FOOTAGE (characters' faces, bodies, etc.) but still have the objects in the footage move with the shadows tracked so that it appears as though the footage was shot with low light? If I haven't been clear, please let me know. All adding-shadows tutorials seem to focus on animations rather than real-life footage.
Earl
15 years ago
i followed all your settings for the omni light, the first light you made on the tutorial. How come my shadow are really faraway from my text? I followed all the settings shown in the video but still the shadows are way below the text?? I could really use your help..
Omar Zahid
15 years ago
@Private.
You cant do it that way. You misunderstood the concept. There is no way to import 3d objects into AE.Its a composting application... and Usually, you'll leave it as a 2d layer.
You cant do it that way. You misunderstood the concept. There is no way to import 3d objects into AE.Its a composting application... and Usually, you'll leave it as a 2d layer.
Alex
15 years ago
Hey,
i am a LONG time watcher. LOVE your website. its changed my life... really. i found something that might be of use to you. maybe you can use it in a different tutorial or something. i'd like to see The Kramer add his flare (maybe literally?) to the concept shown here. hope you like it!
AV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yimdi6QOSAc
i am a LONG time watcher. LOVE your website. its changed my life... really. i found something that might be of use to you. maybe you can use it in a different tutorial or something. i'd like to see The Kramer add his flare (maybe literally?) to the concept shown here. hope you like it!
AV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yimdi6QOSAc
PfcEnder
15 years ago
@Morgan when you have a lot going on its gonna be slow to render. its slow for Andrew as well but he cuts out the render times to make the tutorials easy to follow.
Morgan
15 years ago
Hey, i have a question, When im doing the stuff in AE, when i press play it takes ages to play it, in his vid when he presses play it is really smooth, how can i fix mine?
Steve
15 years ago
Hey, I'm trying to do this in max, everything works except the inital shadow. It isn't appearing like yours, mine is just appearing flat behind the text not at an angle.
Private
15 years ago
Hi, for some reason my 3D Text always appears as Flat Image when i wanna import it to After Effects.
I press F9 to render it.
Then Save Image as .. TARGA.
Then i import into After Effects and make the Layer 3D .. but its still a Flat Image.
Any Help ? Thanks !
Hat
15 years ago
The SyFy channel used this for their brand new logo!
Dude I'm starting to see your work everywhere. I mean, at least the foundations/influence of it.
Dude I'm starting to see your work everywhere. I mean, at least the foundations/influence of it.
UrGeProductionz
15 years ago
Hey Andrew!
When I group the lights it will not show "Omni Light" in the Modifier.
- UP
When I group the lights it will not show "Omni Light" in the Modifier.
- UP
FrankLP
15 years ago
I just stumbled onto this site...awesome stuff! You guys really are talented, and you make the teaching/learning fast
Armen
15 years ago
Hey Andrew, make some more 3D Max tutorials! it's awesome man! Perhaps you can do some meteor type tutorial!
Christopher J
15 years ago
I'm new to 3d Max, I've got a problem and was wondering if you could tell me how to fix it...
the y,x and z axes won't display on my object when I use the "click and move" tool.
Do you know what I should do to able to display them again?
the y,x and z axes won't display on my object when I use the "click and move" tool.
Do you know what I should do to able to display them again?
William A Hilton
16 years ago
Saw this being used as a promo on Sci-Fi channel. Everything was the same. Pretty funny.
lost
16 years ago
Your wealth of experience is highly appreciated.
God will continually improve you.
You are simply the best!!!
God will continually improve you.
You are simply the best!!!
Bob Deistchle
16 years ago
First, thanks for the great tutorials and insights. Great site.
Second, anyway to create these "SyFy" shadows in After Effects and Zaxwerks?
Thx,
BD
Second, anyway to create these "SyFy" shadows in After Effects and Zaxwerks?
Thx,
BD
Majid Arif Siddiqui
16 years ago
any chance for more 3d max tutorials?
hehe.. this is really great..
tnx ;}
hehe.. this is really great..
tnx ;}
elvijsb
16 years ago
nice tutorial but i had to stop the video like every 2 seconds to keep up starting to think that 3ds max just isnt for me.
starting to think that 3ds max just isnt for me.
jonathanphillip
16 years ago
E ai, sou Jonathan Phillip por Cubo Artes Design,
parabenizando pelos tutoriais, muito bem explicados e prduzidos...
abraço
parabenizando pelos tutoriais, muito bem explicados e prduzidos...
abraço
JVSF
16 years ago
Great! Make more 3D's Max tuts! Basic training tutorials for 3D's Max would be great
Dominik K.
16 years ago
Nice tutorial. After watching i made this in Blender. Ok mine is a little bit different cause i took a freaky and grungy font and made it much darker (i just used one lamp) But it comes really near to this
Thanks for the inspiration Mr. Kramer
Thanks for the inspiration Mr. Kramer
Jamie
16 years ago
I can't for the life of me, get those lights in the correct spacing/positon. Been working on this all day, and just about to abandon the project. If anyone could help me out, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.
wargsm AT gmail DOT com
wargsm AT gmail DOT com
cham altatis
16 years ago
hi andrew!i really love all your tutorials in after effects! i'm currently learning 3dsmax now but i'm still in the basics. can you pls make a basic training as well in 3d? i think i can learn it better when you are the teacher, tnx! God bless!
yamilsoft
16 years ago
la verda me encanta como esta realizado! pero a mi no me salio! jaja... se me complica mucho con 3Dmax
wtf
16 years ago
is it ok to use all Boujou, Maya, Cinema4D and 3DS Max? like do companies do that at all? or are they just reserved for one software? I'd like to know if anyone could answer me this.
william
16 years ago
Saw this effect used on a promo for a cable station (maybe SciFi network.) I was blown away to see it was a straight rip from the project files - down to the font used!
Do the guys who do these promos sit around their computers hitting refresh all day with the hopes that Andrew has posted another tutorial? It's cool to used a tut to get the creative jucies flowing but come on!
Do the guys who do these promos sit around their computers hitting refresh all day with the hopes that Andrew has posted another tutorial? It's cool to used a tut to get the creative jucies flowing but come on!
Viktor
16 years ago
God is a fairy-tale, but Andrew Kramer is real!! Andrew, thank you for all you doing for us.
m2studio
16 years ago
AK i dont knw what to really say about u but i knw God created to be creative to others , here in nigeria and mostly on MTVBase and other country i always see alots of ur work. AK God will bless u more and more and pls find solution to shipping to my country nigeria.
thnx
thnx
Anders Printz
16 years ago
I used this tutorial for the opening title in a little 0:- project i made here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFdpV1lT4cE Thanks alot Andrew, i followed you since Creative Cow days, you are the best!
luis
16 years ago
HOLA COMO ESTÃÂN ESPERO QUE BIEN.
ME ENCANTA SU PAGINA. TODO LO REFERENTE A PRODUCCIÓN DIGITAL. HEY A.C THANK YOU FOR ALL THIS TUTORIALS.
I HAVE A PROBLEM WHIT THIS TUTORIAL I CAN'T SEE THIS VIDEO.
ME ENCANTA SU PAGINA. TODO LO REFERENTE A PRODUCCIÓN DIGITAL. HEY A.C THANK YOU FOR ALL THIS TUTORIALS.
I HAVE A PROBLEM WHIT THIS TUTORIAL I CAN'T SEE THIS VIDEO.
Jose francesena (argentina)
16 years ago
grande Andrew! Te mandamos un grande abrazo desde argentina! sos un grande! Gracias por todos los consejos utilisimos que nos das! te agradeceria si haces mas tutorials de 3d studio! Segui asi!
chahat
16 years ago
Andrew.........awesome work again...want to know that from where did u start bro?
ali
16 years ago
Hello Andrew, you do a great job making these awesome tutorials. I have this question, why is it that when I render my videos they're kinda laggy? they videos play part of it and then stop, the players slider bar keeps moving but the image stops.? please help
Xander
16 years ago
Nice tut! But got one problem. When I press F9 i get the render of the front view, not the perspective view. And I don't kow how to change that. (How do u get the extra options where u can choose the different views when u press F9?)
Any help would be appreciated,
Thx
Any help would be appreciated,
Thx
Javier
16 years ago
My friend, from Caracas - Venezuela I tell you good job, You´re the best. Thanks for give your knowledges.
i learned a lot with your tutorials.
good luck
i learned a lot with your tutorials.
good luck
shift
16 years ago
Nicley explained, but this technique is like nearly 10 years old. There were a ton of scripts and plugs that did this, now all obsolete, you may find the right settings that will give you this, with less setup time. You just need to know how to setup in mray or vray, As said tho, Final holds the top step here, fast and no flicker.
And you could have tweaked lightracer to get it 3 times as fast as default, with no noticeable visual change.
And you could have tweaked lightracer to get it 3 times as fast as default, with no noticeable visual change.
Albert
16 years ago
AWESOME!!!
We would like to request also if you could give us some tips and tricks about spline how to connect and break.
I have been your avid follower to your products and its amazing what had done in my job. I am looking forward to your next launching of your new product.
Mysh
We would like to request also if you could give us some tips and tricks about spline how to connect and break.
I have been your avid follower to your products and its amazing what had done in my job. I am looking forward to your next launching of your new product.
Mysh
Syphon
16 years ago
Great quality of all your work Andrew, i think you`re doing a fantastic favour to the community!
The fact that you`re an entertainer aswell makes it even better!
The fact that you`re an entertainer aswell makes it even better!
marty
16 years ago
dear andrew, i'm writting from china, i've being a fan of your work and website for sometime now, but after i got back to china, i found there's no way of viewing your tutorials online, is there anyway i could download your tutorials perhaps? i really wish to keep watching your videos they give me endless ideas. thanks a lot.
u da man.
u da man.
milos
16 years ago
Nice lightening technique for this simple letters, but in complex scenes is it unuseful. Anyway great tip andrew...
HK
16 years ago
Hi...You are one of the best in giving tutorials. I have used a lot different ones and you come right at the top..
How can i do this in AE. I am not a 3D person
Thanks
HK
How can i do this in AE. I am not a 3D person
Thanks
HK
Sp1
16 years ago
I haven't read all the comments so someone may have pointed this out already. To detach elements to objects automatically in Max, just convert to editable mesh use "explode" with a setting of 180.
Thanks Andrew!
Thanks Andrew!
LightForce
16 years ago
Awesome ,with this 3d max ,AE,cool sounds,music,actors real or just models....and of course with this exelent knowledge of Andrew and VC,you can make own hi tech,hd movies.
With all respect of course we dont need Spilberg or Hudini for this ;D.
R`N`R ,its time for movies!Amen
,with this 3d max ,AE,cool sounds,music,actors real or just models....and of course with this exelent knowledge of Andrew and VC,you can make own hi tech,hd movies.With all respect of course we dont need Spilberg or Hudini for this ;D.
R`N`R ,its time for movies!Amen
JSern
16 years ago
Hey andrew..
I had some problems in the making of the 3DsoftShadow...
Can u gimme some correction on my vid?
Heres the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=1385GOYEgvc
I had some problems in the making of the 3DsoftShadow...
Can u gimme some correction on my vid?
Heres the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=1385GOYEgvc
MD671
16 years ago
Pssshhhhhhh.....I could do better. WHAT AM I SAYING!!!! *bowing down* you are the master. I just received the 10 pack bundle and WOW! Where do I start. I have been following all your tutorials since ever since and this is my first comment....but not my last.
Where do I get that plug in?
Where do I get that plug in?
hampis
16 years ago
hallo from geece... you are the best ..... i have the 3d max but i dont now how to use this...
djbennyj
16 years ago
Hey andrew, great tut !
I found this one on the net : http://vimeo.com/4824948
A translation of your tut to C4D ^^
I found this one on the net : http://vimeo.com/4824948
A translation of your tut to C4D ^^
Brandon Henry
16 years ago
Have you looked at the free script for Max called E-Light? You should check it out, does the same thing and will save you time. Good tutorial still!
Jack Peirson
16 years ago
Awesome! i used this tutorial to help me make part of the title for my upcoming production
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZvH81y4itA
Thanks a lot!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZvH81y4itA
Thanks a lot!!
vaish
16 years ago
lol, ur tutorials are godly, just tried the ancient text, worked like a charm! Can't wait to try this one out!
P.S. You should be knighted. lol
P.S. You should be knighted. lol
Iserys
16 years ago
Is that a new Mic you're using to record your voice there?
Thanks for the Tut, just starting off with Max after wasting a month learning Blender and getting NOWHERE. The user interface is very tough to learn!
Thanks for the Tut, just starting off with Max after wasting a month learning Blender and getting NOWHERE. The user interface is very tough to learn!
Anthony Alexander
16 years ago
If you don't read other people's comments don't expect yours to be magically noticed. Most people like yourself, only care about themselves.
@Y, depends on which you can *afford* I'd go for 3ds max, its industry standard software and there are a bevy of tutorials to help you create "reality from scratch" tm
@Y, depends on which you can *afford* I'd go for 3ds max, its industry standard software and there are a bevy of tutorials to help you create "reality from scratch" tm
Tom
16 years ago
Hi Andrew!
I wanted to thank you so much for all the great tutorials you and your team made! Before I stumbled upon your site, I acctualy didn't dare to touch AE (I wanted it so badly though ), because I didn't understand a thing!
But after following the basic training and now i've done almost all of your tutorials, I'm quite familiar with the program!
Also, 3Ds max is a program wich I used way longer before AE, but still are there some great tips in the tutorials! As a example this tutorials with the nice lighting.
Keep up the good work and thank you! (And the rest of the videocopilot team)
I wanted to thank you so much for all the great tutorials you and your team made! Before I stumbled upon your site, I acctualy didn't dare to touch AE (I wanted it so badly though
), because I didn't understand a thing!But after following the basic training and now i've done almost all of your tutorials, I'm quite familiar with the program!
Also, 3Ds max is a program wich I used way longer before AE, but still are there some great tips in the tutorials! As a example this tutorials with the nice lighting.
Keep up the good work and thank you! (And the rest of the videocopilot team)
kenji
16 years ago
Good tutorial... Thx again man. Personaly i want some real deal tutorials whit particle sistem ( only you can do something good) 
.
Kenji
Romania
.Kenji
Romania
Ferenc
16 years ago
Hi Andrew,
Just want to thank you for al those great tutorials. Amazing how you explain things in a fast but clear way. You helped me a lot! With your help I was able to make the following trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9YJTVM2R2k
Thank you very much!
Ferenc
Just want to thank you for al those great tutorials. Amazing how you explain things in a fast but clear way. You helped me a lot! With your help I was able to make the following trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9YJTVM2R2k
Thank you very much!
Ferenc
Tom
16 years ago
Hi Andrew,
isn't this soft shadow called "Ambient Occlusion" at least that is what I thought, but you never use this term, so now I'm confused...
Tom
isn't this soft shadow called "Ambient Occlusion" at least that is what I thought, but you never use this term, so now I'm confused...
Tom
michael
16 years ago
hey andrew very nice tutorial
I was just wondering is there a way to send 3D models to after effects?
from Cinema 4D and 3D max I cad find
the way do you render as alpha or as matte
ok Cheers
michael..
I was just wondering is there a way to send 3D models to after effects?
from Cinema 4D and 3D max I cad find
the way do you render as alpha or as matte
ok Cheers
michael..
Richard
16 years ago
Wow superb man, !! i really love your tuts, and also very nice that once in a while some very goodlooking 3d tuts come up. Gonna try this with C4D because im mac user.
Jorge F. Creations
16 years ago
Thanks for this tutorial! I've been in the 3ds max scene for 4 years now and still searching for the best lightning techniques. I hope your tutorial could help me a bit!
salmanlp
16 years ago
awesome tutorial Sir, i've been looking for this. plz someone make Cinema 4D tutorial please...
blenderman
16 years ago
Great Tutorial, Thank you!
With spotlights the shadowmap is calculated only once.
There are several Plugins
With spotlights the shadowmap is calculated only once.
There are several Plugins
guidogast
16 years ago
Hi all,
Soon i'm going to make exact the same tut.
Only than in C4D (But only with your permission Andrew)
I already know how to do it... Not everything is the same. But hey, if I can help... I'll be there!
Greets,
Guido(gast)
Soon i'm going to make exact the same tut.
Only than in C4D (But only with your permission Andrew
)I already know how to do it... Not everything is the same. But hey, if I can help... I'll be there!
Greets,
Guido(gast)
hayssam
16 years ago
i think you are famous in egypt than any graphic designer
because you are the best
your friend from egypt
because you are the best
your friend from egypt
Aidan
16 years ago
wow wee wahh wow, 2 new tuts in 1 day!!! We are bless³d Thanks Andrew I can'tt wait....! /excited*
I have AE7 and its missing some of the CC modules anyone know where i can get them? Esp that CC Particle world one. Pls reply I'll check back here.
Thanks Andrew I can'tt wait....! /excited*I have AE7 and its missing some of the CC modules anyone know where i can get them? Esp that CC Particle world one. Pls reply I'll check back here.
spiralboy
16 years ago
I had to made one too ;]
[url]http://www.vimeo.com/4803499[/url]
Made in Maya, I used only 4 soft shadow lights and ambient occlusion (beauty, amb occlusion, masks) Ae.
Thanks Andrew
Greetz from Poland
[url]http://www.vimeo.com/4803499[/url]
Made in Maya, I used only 4 soft shadow lights and ambient occlusion (beauty, amb occlusion, masks) Ae.
Thanks Andrew
Greetz from Poland
Edis
16 years ago
I think your idea for this project came from the new hit film, Star Trek. Am I right?
Baha
16 years ago
Yet again another awesome tutorial! Even though I like your AE tutorials better, this one for 3DS Max is wonderful too. Thanks again!
Clement O
16 years ago
Your wealth of experience is highly appreciated.
God will continually improve you.
You are simply the best!!!
God will continually improve you.
You are simply the best!!!
huzaini
16 years ago
hai andrew if u read this ...first thing i want to say i like 3ds max and i have for 2010..
can u do alot tutorial for 3ds max....who agree
say (yeah)
can u do alot tutorial for 3ds max....who agree
say (yeah)
Mrityunjay Singh
16 years ago
Yes "You are a god at AE" ya it's 100% true
this is my first comment but i m watching your tutorial last 2 years but never comment. sorry for thisAndrew sir ur style of teaching is amazing realy
this is my first comment but i m watching your tutorial last 2 years but never comment. sorry for this
Andrew sir ur style of teaching is amazing realy
Mikey Angel
16 years ago
Wicked! I us Cinema 4D. Decided to find a C4D work flow for this. Turned out kinda nice. Here is a link to a wallpaper of the final image. Thanks for the inspiration Andrew.
http://www.mahspot.com/img/mahspot-wallpaper-orig.jpg
http://www.mahspot.com/img/mahspot-wallpaper-orig.jpg
psycronicx
16 years ago
i like it when you put 3DS MAX Tutorial... i'm addict with this s/w, thx andrew.
Anders Printz
16 years ago
Very nice tutorial Andrew, very useful!,
i wish i watched this before i made this :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V6uJzLEkTsivé
Followed you from when you began at Creative cow, to here. Im amazed by your work and tutorials.
I will hire you someday.
i wish i watched this before i made this :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V6uJzLEkTsivé
Followed you from when you began at Creative cow, to here. Im amazed by your work and tutorials.
I will hire you someday.
marioxtroz
16 years ago
hey bro thanks for all your tutorials!! from maracaibo venezuela this is very good for all thenks again... pd: i touch after effect for the first time 1 month ago and im a expert already...
Peter Somers (TC-Productions)
16 years ago
Very nice!
And yes, this is really easy to recreate in C4D as well.
Instead of copying your lights, you can use the ARRAY object.
Just create an omni light, set it to soft shadows, and drop in into an Array object. Then you only have to duplicate that array and tweak its diameter and distance.
An alternative is the fantastic LUMEN plugin from biomekk.com. This will automatically create a lightdome from 1 omni light and a sphere object.
There used to be a free Lumen LITE version, not sure it's still available tho.
And yes, this is really easy to recreate in C4D as well.
Instead of copying your lights, you can use the ARRAY object.
Just create an omni light, set it to soft shadows, and drop in into an Array object. Then you only have to duplicate that array and tweak its diameter and distance.
An alternative is the fantastic LUMEN plugin from biomekk.com. This will automatically create a lightdome from 1 omni light and a sphere object.
There used to be a free Lumen LITE version, not sure it's still available tho.
Ingwar
16 years ago
I haven't watched the whole tutorial yet but when I saw it was a 3ds max tutorial I had to leave a comment first. I love your max tuts so I'm glad you've done another one and hope to see more of your 3ds max tutorials like those "organic mesh in 3d max", "growing 3D wines" or that beautiful combination of AE and max in "meteor crash" or even more advanced stuff. So keep up the good work and greetings from Croatia!
qbay3000
16 years ago
very very great Tut 3d max is great!! people should realize that to make great art comes from all different aspects and programs. 3dmax is Great!!!!
love every thing you do man. cant wait for more.
love every thing you do man. cant wait for more.
Dennis Green-lieber
16 years ago
Don´t if anybody wrote it but it will be cool is you show the same stuff in c4d as you do in 3dmax
Iris
16 years ago
hey there. i really like the tutorial, and would really like to do what you did in 3dmax. but i don't have windows. and after what i've seen it's not actually available on a mac. so is there any other program i can use to do this?
Smartus
16 years ago
Thanks a lot Andrew, i've been following your tutorials for a long time now. And they keep getting better and better !
Your 3ds max tutorials are also more then welcome !
Your 3ds max tutorials are also more then welcome !
Rahum
16 years ago
Thanks Andrew Kramer. Did you see the new Black berry storm ads ("Life on Black Berry" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH1Jg-pu3bU
Steve Whitehead
16 years ago
Awesome!
I liked the speed also, your witty banter is always funny but this made a change as to how fast you worked. Just shows how impressive and knowledgable you are in this industry!
You must charge alot! Woooo! Good times!
Keep the tutorials up mate, i love checking the site for updates!
Thank youuuuu!
I liked the speed also, your witty banter is always funny but this made a change as to how fast you worked. Just shows how impressive and knowledgable you are in this industry!
You must charge alot! Woooo! Good times!
Keep the tutorials up mate, i love checking the site for updates!
Thank youuuuu!
ZALIDIN
16 years ago
As always, great work! You make AE look so simple, and because of you, it now is!
Chuck
16 years ago
Thanks for another great tutorial. And thank you for using particle world, I know trap-code is a great product, but not all of us can afford $300 bucks.
haqi
16 years ago
wondering if anyone knows how difficult the tutorial is to translate into other 3D programs, my pref is cinema?
Mike
16 years ago
Finally ! I was asking myself for almost a year on how to get that glow look on 3d objects .... never noticed that specular switch haha thanks Andrew, You are a life saver!
haha thanks Andrew, You are a life saver!
Steve
16 years ago
With all due respect to 3DS fans, we're all here because of After Effects - which, as we all know, costs a packet. 3DS can't be cheap either, so those of us still catching our financial breath from buying AE might have to resort to something like Blender. Concept tutorials are great if you can use them with other packages, but please, Andrew, don't go all Max specific on us. Some of us aren't rich pros yet. XD
gorillamonkey
16 years ago
I will watch it because you usually give me inspirado and make my tummy jiggle.
However, I would also love a BLENDER TUT on this.
FYI. the tipping point for my purchase of your BULLET dvd was that it had a Blender tut! Not alot of quality AE/blender tuts out there.
Thanks in advance I am sure this is brilliant.
However, I would also love a BLENDER TUT on this.
FYI. the tipping point for my purchase of your BULLET dvd was that it had a Blender tut! Not alot of quality AE/blender tuts out there.
Thanks in advance I am sure this is brilliant.
Michael
16 years ago
GREAT that you're starting to do more 3d Max tutorials, it's the logical next step in the AE learning curve...
Is it too much to hope for, that you'll do a breakdown of the amzing "Fringe"-title graphics that you created...? That shattered letter E coming toghether at the end, how the heck is that accomplished...?
Thank You for the greatest motion graphics site I know of!
Is it too much to hope for, that you'll do a breakdown of the amzing "Fringe"-title graphics that you created...? That shattered letter E coming toghether at the end, how the heck is that accomplished...?
Thank You for the greatest motion graphics site I know of!
Willem
16 years ago
There are ways to render GI without flicker, certainly with VRay.
Of course, render times would be a multitude of 3 seconds.
Thanks for the tutorial. Always good to learn lighting techniques and the result looks great.
Of course, render times would be a multitude of 3 seconds.
Thanks for the tutorial. Always good to learn lighting techniques and the result looks great.
Rob Neal
16 years ago
GI Can be heavy on resources, and as Andrew said, a lot of them like VRay and Mental Ray flicker.
There is a special GI mode in Cebas Final Render which I think is THE render engine for composition/effects work. It is fast and flicker free, and it doesn't cost a fortune. Well worth checking out.
There is a special GI mode in Cebas Final Render which I think is THE render engine for composition/effects work. It is fast and flicker free, and it doesn't cost a fortune. Well worth checking out.
reyffer
16 years ago
Very, very nice tutorial. Thanks a lot. We, as 3d visualisers, always think that we always need GI to get that nice look. And even more important, you've just showed the importance of knowing standart lights and materials.
You're great, man!
You're great, man!
CristalCube³
16 years ago
Spectacular, great tips to reduce the render time!!
Thanks Andrew!
Greetings. CC³.
Thanks Andrew!
Greetings. CC³.
Austin Omoria
16 years ago
Beautiful tut, i was so blessed. i hav been lookn for a way to achieve dis kinda lighting effect witout havin 2 use raytrace reflection. thanx Andrew u r d man
spiralboy
16 years ago
Great tut, but i think that ambient occlusion is more efficient way, at least in maya (mental ray)
dark_prince
16 years ago
wow very very very nice eviltion share him ?? pls
andrew ??? you are my hero forever
seeya my hero
andrew ??? you are my hero forever
seeya my hero
Willy
16 years ago
I noticed some sort of toolbar on the left side of the screen, how do you turn that on?
Mark
16 years ago
@Y
I use MAYA. It's very cool and has Mental Ray - as does 3DS Max. Pretty much all 3D software does the same job but just in a different way - so the choice of which one to learn isn't a hard one.
I use MAYA. It's very cool and has Mental Ray - as does 3DS Max. Pretty much all 3D software does the same job but just in a different way - so the choice of which one to learn isn't a hard one.
MenelaosAiTech
16 years ago
That's great very easy and smart
I never thought of lighting this way before
I never thought of lighting this way before
Jason
16 years ago
Great tip! I stumbled upon this script years ago for MAX 5.0. Called E-Light. VERY handy, and similar to your technique.
http://home.wanadoo.nl/r.j.o/skyraider/e-light.htm
http://home.wanadoo.nl/r.j.o/skyraider/e-light.htm
Bruno Adachi
16 years ago
Droga..meu 3d max ta com problema...eu queria testar esse tutorial!
Very good Andrew!!!!
THX!!
Very good Andrew!!!!
THX!!
Aurelio
16 years ago
Excellent 3D Max tut. I simply love that softae and lightinig and materials are topics that really bring everythig up to life. Looking foraward to that promised video blog
Benny Lange
16 years ago
Is this the same technique you used for the new Star Trek Titles that appear throughout the movie? It reminded me of them. 
burningchariot
16 years ago
Nice to see more 3D tuts on here. This is a bit weird - earlier on today, I tried to make a title plate for my new flash site in 3D max (i usually use Maya, but wanted to try out another program) and i really wanted to split the text up. it took me ages to figure it out as i havnt used Max in years, but got there in the end.
Anyway, how weird that you release a tutorial only 2hours after I finished the damn project. Ah well, still some great lighting info packed in here.
Glad to see some action on the site again. I know you've been busy behind the scenes, but i was getting inpatient, it slowed down roun here alot recently. anyway, glad to see a couple of tuts up, and for those doosh bags who always comment "first" - what the heck are you on here for...
Anyway, how weird that you release a tutorial only 2hours after I finished the damn project. Ah well, still some great lighting info packed in here.
Glad to see some action on the site again. I know you've been busy behind the scenes, but i was getting inpatient, it slowed down roun here alot recently. anyway, glad to see a couple of tuts up, and for those doosh bags who always comment "first" - what the heck are you on here for...
Umair Irfan
16 years ago
I like the fast paced tutorials! Also, I am glad you are getting into 3D and AE integration.
Do you think more tutorials of this nature can be available soon?
Do you think more tutorials of this nature can be available soon?
Freedolin
16 years ago
nice..
so who's gonna "translate" it to blender?
It is a very good 3D-software for -free-.
So why should you not use it?
so who's gonna "translate" it to blender?
It is a very good 3D-software for -free-.
So why should you not use it?
Remington
16 years ago
Thanks a lot Andrew! Here's a link to a 3ds max title effect I was able to create because of your last 3d title tutorial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yt31y58wZY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yt31y58wZY
Remington
16 years ago
Hey, Y. I'd simply recommend 3ds Max for a couple of reasons. I like the work flow a lot better than Blender, It seems like theres more tutorials for it, and last but not least Andrew Kramer uses it! I'm new to 3d and have found it easy enough.
