Making a Simple Window/Frame and Applying Textures in 3dsmax - Back

The purpose of this tutorial is to demonstrate how to make a simple window, and apply textures to it, as per request. Your wish is my command.....well not really, but.....anyway... The basic concept here is as so: We are going to build the window frame from a line. Actually a few lines. Then extrude it. We'll make each "board" seperately. Then we'll piece it together just like a real window frame. From the well make the glass and then apply the materials! FUN! Let's go!

Go to the Create tab and then choose 2D Shapes.
Select Line.
Turn 3d Snap on, the default should be Grid Points. (You can right click it to get the properties to change the type of snap.)
I started in the Front Viewport and made the shape of one of the window frame boards. I made the top and right side. Like so:

Say "yes" to closing the spline when it asks. And if you didn't drag you mouse when clicking each vertex your corners won't become curved (this is good). If they do become curved you need to select the line, go to the Modify tab and choose Sub-Object, choose Vertices, right click the one that's causing the curve and choose corner. Now....

Select the right or top "board" (closed line) and go to the Modify tab. Choose Extrude. Extrude it as much as you see fit. This gives it thickness. Do the same to the other line.

Now we are going to Mirror the object. This will make a replica of the object we want and flip it if we want. We can also choose the distance at which we want it to be from the original.

Click the Mirror button.
Click the Copy radio button. You may need to select a different axis (x,y, or z) depending on what direction you need your object to go. You can also move this window a bit to the side to see you work and adjust the settings to see what it is doing to your scene. When finished click OK and do the same to the other "board."
Again go to the Create tab and this time choose 3D Objects. We are going to make the frame work of the inside of the window.
Choose Box. Create a box a little thinner than the amount you extruded the frame. Make another one and cross them like so:

They should be centered in the frame (as best as your eye can judge) in the front and in the top view. You should end up with something like this:

Now make another Box. This will be the glass. Make it a little smaller than the outer frame and a little thinner (obviously) than the inner framework. Center it as best you can. You should have something like this:

Now for the materials, which make our collection of boxes a WINDOW!

Click the Material Editor button.

I used the built in textures of MAX for time's sake. You may want to make your own textures for more original or stylized work.

Click the Standard button. Circled on the right in this picture:

The Material/Map Browser will appear.

On the left the New radio button is selected. Choose Mtl Library.

In the right hand window the built in materials are listed (not shown above.)
Near the bottom you will find different types of Wood. I chose Wood Old.
Now do the same to another material sphere. Click the Standard button and again Mtl Library and then choose Glass.

Go back to your scene and click one of the boards for the outer frame. Go to the Modify tab and choose UVW Map. Planar will be selected, change this to Box. Do the same for ALL the object individually. For the side boards of the outer frame you will need to change the Alignment from Z to X. This will correct any odd mapping to the side boards. This is found in the same area as Planar and Box Mapping Parameters.
Now select all the inner and outer frame work.
Go to the material editor and choose the wood material, apply it.
Select the Box we made for the glass. Choose the Glass material in the material editor. Apply it. All the presets should be fine for this project. Tweak them if you want.

I added a Sphere behind my window to show the transparency of the glass. Your finished project should look like this:

Download the .max file here: tut4.max

http://www.hallofheads.com

Back