Resources for 3D MAX

[Steve_Bennett]

As this thread has grown, it was kindly pointed out that some spring cleaning was well past due. If you come across additional links please post them to this thread and one of the stellar moderators will add your link to the ever growing list. For those that had posted in here previously, those posts have been deleted, however I left your names next to the valuable input you have provided (credit where credit is due). Loyd's original organization of links worked best so I ran with that and then organized links alphabetically. Hope everyone finds it easier to look at everything in one post! Let's keep those links coming - this thread wouldn't be where it is today without your help!

[Steve_Bennett]

Communities:
http://www.3dluvr.com/content/ (Glen Loyd)
http://www.3dtotal.com/ (Steve Bennett)
http://www.3dworldmag.com/ (Steve Bennett)
http://www.cgchannel.com/ (Steve Bennett)
http://www.cgsociety.org/ - Training, galleries, support forums, news, etc. (Steve Bennett)
http://www.deathfall.com/ (Glen Loyd)
http://www.evermotion.org/ -Pretty much everything...models, tutorials, videos (Dwayne D. Ellis)
http://www.findsounds.com/types.html Just what it sounds like, this is a great place to find a wide variety of sound clips to add to your animations. (Phillip Bradshaw)
http://www.mymentalray.com/ - Great stuff if you are using mr for materials/lighting (Steve Bennett)
http://www.pbviz.com/forum/ (Glen Loyd)

Environment plug-ins/models:
http://www.afterworks.com (skies & effects) (Glen Loyd)
http://www.archvision.com/ (Steve Bennett)
http://www.bionatics.com (plants & trees) (Glen Loyd)
http://www.gugila.com (terrain & landscaping) (Glen Loyd)
http://www.itoosoft.com (plants & trees) (Glen Loyd)
http://www.onyxtree.com (plants & trees) (Glen Loyd)
http://www.turbosquid.com/ (Steve Bennett)
http://www.xfrogdownloads.com (plants & trees) (Glen Loyd)

3D Models/Textures:
http://dmi.chez-alice.fr/models1b.html FREE Car 3D Models (Arshiel)
http://www.3dcafe.com/ - Great place for models (Steve Bennett)
http://www.cadmonkey.com/models.htm (Glen Loyd)
http://www.got3d.com (Glen Loyd)
http://www.imageafter.com/index.php A great resource for free textures. Well categorized and easily searchable. (Phillip Bradshaw)
http://www.kit3dmodels.com (Glen Loyd)
http://www.lowpolygon3d.com (Glen Loyd)
http://www.sugar3d.com/ (Glen Loyd)

Materials & Textures:
http://textures.forrest.cz (Glen Loyd)
http://www.vray-materials.de (Glen Loyd)

Great AEC Resources:
http://www.asai.org/ American Society of Architectural Illustrators. Great resource for independant illustrators. Includes copyright advisements, sample contracts, and even offers decent health insurance! (Phillip Bradshaw)
http://justwoodworking.com/charts/heights.php (standard dimensions) (Glen Loyd)
http://seamless.usgs.gov/ (GIS data) (Glen Loyd)
http://www.3drender.com/index.html A good glossary of photo/lighting/scene -related terms. Also has a great section to challenge your lighting skills. (Phillip Bradshaw)
http://www.the-blueprints.com/ (Glen Loyd)

Blogs/Training:
http://2d-or-not-2d.blogspot.com/ - a few things on 3ds MAX here and there... (Steve Bennett)
http://www.3dbuzz.com/vbforum/sv_home.php -Amazing instructional videos (Dwayne D. Ellis)
http://www.animationmentor.com/ (Steve Bennett)
http://www.cg-academy.com/ -Amazing instructional videos (Dwayne D. Ellis)
http://www.computerarts.co.uk/ A great place for tips and tutorials of 3D modeling techniques and 2D image processing/postprocessing methods. (Phillip Bradshaw)
http://www.tbmax.net/blog Ted Boardman's Visualization Blog (Mike Perry)
http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/ -Amazing instructional videos (Dwayne D. Ellis)

[Andre Baros]

HDRI Environments:
http://www.doschdesign.com/products/hdri/
http://www.hyperfocaldesign.com/
http://www.sachform.de/products_EN.html

High quality textures
http://www.arroway.de/en/index.html

3D People and textures:
http://www.axyz-design.com/index.html

Maxwell Materials:
http://mxmgallery.maxwellrender.com/

[Steve_Bennett]

Here is a plugin for translating Civil data into 3ds MAX - Dynamite VSP by 3AM Solutions.
www.3am-solutions.com

[Steve_Bennett]

NPower translator tools. NURBS modeling in MAX and lots of translation options for going to/from 3ds MAX & other programs.
http://www.npowersoftware.com/

[Brian Bradley]

Blogs/Training:

www.mentalboutmax.com
www.mentalboutmax.blogspot.com
www.vrayelite.com

regards
Bri

[Steve_Bennett]

For backup purposes, please note I am going to duplicate the links on this page on my blog: http://2d-or-not-2d.blogspot.com/

[Steve_Bennett]

Along with their plug-in Autograss for vray, they also have a host of freebies on their site.
http://www.happy-digital.com/freebies.php

[Steve_Bennett]

Math driven surface generation.
http://www.torabiarchitect.com/news/mathsurf2.html

[Dario Passariello]

Thanks Steve.... great idea!
For plugins (free or commercial) I suggest a site from my friend David Baker..

http://www.maxplugins.de

Very great and cool!

Bye