Deconstructing the Elements with 3ds max 6: Create natural fire, earth, air and water without plug-ins

Master professional techniques in 3ds max with expert guidance from this unique book and DVD-ROM package!

A must have guide for those with 3ds max experience who want to get more out of the base kit this versatile package provides. Save money by finding out how to get the most realistic effects from 3ds max without having to spend more on plugins. This book includes all you need to know to create realistic earth, air, fire and water effects with Discreet's powerful 3ds max animation kit.

Inspirational color images cover every page as Pete shares his professional insight, detailing the breakdown of the extensive catalog of visual reference material supplied on the DVD-ROM to ensure your effects are more realistic when working in 3ds max. This information is then used within the body of the tutorials which teach not only how to create each effect, but why we have performed that specific step so that you have a complete understanding of all the processes involved.

The free DVD-ROM also contains 5 hours and 45 minutes of free video tutorials in which Pete walks you through additional effects while still maintaining the same quality and format as the tutorials in the book.

'I congratulate Pete on this amazing accomplishment. I am certain that those of you who read this will find it incredibly useful, both as an educational tool and as a volume of reference. I encourage you all to read and absorb the information found within, and use it to help strengthen both your own skills, and to help strengthen and maintain our ever spreading 3D community.' Jason 'Buzz' Busby (www.3dbuzz.com)

a UK-based visual effects animator and artist with 10+ years experience on large and small screen projects. Starting out as a fine artist and designer, his shift to CG animation led to key roles such as Lead and Senior Artist, Head of Media and, more recently, Visual Effects Supervisor / Director. Pete's work covers a broad range of disciplines and genres from visual effects to reconstructions, commercials to in-house training. He currently writes for 3D World magazine, providing tips, tricks, reviews and tutorials for 3ds max and other animation and graphics tools.