Autodesk 3ds Max (3D Studio Max), is a 3D computer graphics software used in creating 3D models, animations, and images. It’s available on Microsoft Windows platform.

Autodesk 3ds Max is mainly used in video game development, TV commercials and architectural visualizations, it’s also widely adopted in movie effects and movie pre-visualization. 3ds Max features dynamic simulation, shaders, particle systems, global illumination, normal map creation and rendering, and radiosity.

Autodesk 3ds Max was used in the creation of many famous movies like (a complete list could be found here); Avatar, Iron Man sequel, Spiderman sequel, X-Men sequel, Transformers sequel etc. It was also used in the creation of many games like; Fallout 3, Far Cry 2, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, Rock Band 2, Wheelman, TNA iMPACT!, Blitz, Prince of Persia and Shaun White Snowboarding etc. Learning Autodesk 3ds Max is very helpful for anyone working in the field of games development, the movies/TV industry, graphics design,  and engineers working with the rendering of architectural and mechanical models.

If you just want the bottom line (the road map to learn Autodesk 3ds Max) and you don’t wish to read the entire article then go to the “Bottom Line” section at the end of the article.

Start Learning Autodesk 3ds Max from Scratch for Free

Learners TV

Learners TV is the first free online outlet where beginners can start learning Autodesk 3ds Max through video tutorials. You don’t need to register to have access to the course. You can learn nearly anything on LearnersTV; just visit the website and type what you want to learn in the search bar and you’ll be prompted by the available courses, click on the course you’re interested in and you’re ready to go.

Structure: The course is divided into 22 video tutorials; each video tutorial covers a certain topics in Autodesk 3ds Max.

Interface: The interface is very simple, just click on the video tutorial and the explanatory video will start right away.

Now, the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.
2. The course is well-structured and organized for beginners.
3. It’s easy for beginners to follow along with the instructor.

Cons

1. The tutorial covers an old release of Autodesk 3dS Max.

Verdict: This is an excellent source for beginners to start learning Autodesk 3dS Max.

Autodesk 3ds Max Learning Channel

Autodesk 3ds Max Learning Channel is the second free online outlet where beginners can start learning Autodesk 3dS Max; this’s the official YouTube channel for 3ds Max.

Structure: The getting started training consists of 20 videos that cover the very basics of Autodesk 3ds Max, of course there are other tutorials that covers the different aspects of the software like Modeling, Animation, etc.

Now, the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.
2. The course is well-structured for beginners.

Cons

1. The main drawback of this outlet is that the tutorials aren’t properly organized to help beginners follow along.

Verdict: This is a good source for beginners to start learning Autodesk 3dS Max, though the organization of the tutorials makes it hard for beginners to follow along.

3D Total

3D Total is the third free online outlet where beginners can start learning Autodesk 3dS Max through video tutorials, you don’t have to register in order to have access to the video tutorials, just visit the website and you’re ready to go.

Structure: The Training consists of 11 lessons, each lesson has a video which covers a certain topic in Autodesk 3dS Max, the course is well-structured and organized for beginners.

Interface: The interface is very simple, just click on the video tutorial and the explanatory video will start right away.

Now, the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.
2. The course is well-structured for beginners.

Cons

1. The course covers an old release of Autodesk 3dS Max

Verdict: This is a very good source for beginners to start learning Autodesk 3dS Max.

Digital Art Guild

Digital Art Guild is fourth free online outlet where beginners can start learning Autodesk 3dS Max through video tutorials, as the other outlets you don’t need to register in order to have access to the training.

Structure: The training is divided into 2 tutorials, each tutorial is divided into lessons, and each lesson covers certain topics in Autodesk 3dS Max, the training is more of a “learn by doing”.

Interface: The interface is very simple just click on the video and you’ll be directed to a new page where the video resides.

Now, to the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.
2. The course is well-structured and organized for beginners.

Cons

1. The training only covers the very basics of Autodesk 3dS Max.

 Verdict: There are other outlets that covers more topics in Autodesk 3dS max than this outlet. This outlet is suitable for those who prefer the “learn by doing” style.

Autodesk

Autodesk is the fifth free online outlet where beginners can start learning Autodesk 3dS Max through video tutorial, the course is more of an overview about the software.

Structure: The training is divided into 11 short tutorials (1 minute video for each tutorial), each tutorial covers a certain topic in Autodesk 3dS Max.

Interface: The interface is quite simple, just click on the tutorials you’re interested in and the video will start right away.

Now, the pros and cons:

Pros

1. Free.

Cons

1. The training is more of an overview, so it’s not very suitable for beginners to start from.

Verdict: This outlet is more suitable for those who’re using another software and want to get an overview about Autodesk 3ds Max.

Bottom Line

The recipe for learning Autodesk 3dS Max for free:

1. The best place to start from as a beginner is either Learners TV or 3D Total.
2. If you prefer the “learn by doing style” then Digital Art Guild is your way to go.
3. If you want to get an overview about the software then Autodesk is your way to go.

Remember that the first step is always the toughest step, and the aim of this post is to provide you with resources that will help you take your first step in Autodesk 3dS Max.