3ds Max 2020

Free Student Software

As a student, you have access to a free version of the 3D animation software that you’re
learning this semester. Before taking the time to download and install the software, make
sure to verify that you have a computer (desktop or laptop) that is configured with the
proper operating system, and has the necessary system resources needed in order to
effectively run the software.

If you’re considering the purchase of a new computer, or looking to upgrade the one that
you have in order to be run the software, you might find it helpful to first talk with us.
The software will run dramatically differently all depending on your system
configuration. We’re more than happy to provide you with the important details that
you’ll want to know and understand in order to make the best decision.

The 2020 version of the 3ds Max will ONLY run on certain 64-bit Windows operating
systems: Windows 10 ‘Professional’, Windows 8 and Windows 7 SP1 ‘Professional’
or ‘Premium’. Be sure to verify both the version of Windows and the specific operating
system that your computer is running before beginning any installation. An operating
system can be verified by right-clicking on the Computer icon (has now been re-named
to ‘This PC’ if using Windows 10) on your computer’s desktop. When the menu opens,
choose ‘Properties’. Verify both the Windows edition and the operating system. The
operating system will be either 64-bit or 32-bit. 3ds Max will not run on a 32-bit
operating system. For information pertaining to the system requirements needed for your
computer, using Google type in ‘3ds Max 2020 System Requirements’. As an
alternative, you can also go to the following website.
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/3ds-max/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/System-
requirements-for-Autodesk-3ds-Max-2020.html

Getting the Software

You have a couple of choices in getting the software. You can go directly to the
company website (www.autodesk.com) and download the program for yourself, or you
can simply grab it from us if you have a flash drive that has at least 4.8GB of free space.
The internet download file is large in size, so plan accordingly as far as your desktop
computer or laptop download speed should you decide to download the file for yourself.
If downloading the software for yourself (not using our already-downloaded copy), skip
the next section and go directly to ‘Downloading the Software for Yourself’ a little
further down in this handout. If you’re going to get the software from us (flash drive
needed), just continue along with reading the next section.
Accessing the 3ds Max Software on the Lab server
The installation file for the 2020 version of 3ds Max is available on the Lab server.
You’ll need a flash drive with at least 4.8GB of free space in order to copy the needed
material. From any computer in the Lab, log into your personal account. Double-click
on the ‘This PC’ (‘Computer’) icon on the desktop. In the dialogue box that opens, under
‘Network Locations’, navigate to the ‘Student Share’ folder. What you’re looking for is
NOT located in the ‘Student Access’ folder. Once in ‘Student Share’, navigate to and
open the ‘Free Downloads’ folder. From there, open the ‘0_3ds Max’ folder. Locate
the 2020 version of the software, and copy that ENTIRE folder to your flash drive. The
folder that you’re copying contains both the installation file and the instructions for you
to follow. Be sure to COPY (and NOT move) the folder! You can do that by simply
DRAGGING the folder to your flash drive.

Once at home (or on your laptop), follow the instructions below under ‘Before Installing
the MAX 2020 Software that you Copied from the Lab Server’. Once the installation
files have been copied to your computer’s desktop, go to the Autodesk website and
REGISTER the software. Do this BEFORE installing the program on your
computer. The registration instructions are provided below. The software needs to be
registered irrespective of whether you download it for yourself from Autodesk, or
whether you start with the installation files that you copied from the Lab server.

IMPORTANT: It’s essential when registering the software, that you make sure that
you’re choosing and registering the correct VERSION of the software! Autodesk will
typically make available different versions of the software (2020, 2019, 2018, etc) all
depending on the time of the year. It’s important that you indicate the CORRECT
version when registering. The installation files that you copied from the Lab server are
for the 2020 version of the software. You can always download a newer version of the
software when it becomes available at a later date.

Before installing the MAX 2020 software that you got off
of the Lab server
The folder that copied from the Lab server contained a set of 3 installation files. The files
are named ‘Autodesk_3ds_Max_2020_EFGJKPS_Win_64bit.part1.exe’,
‘Autodesk_3ds_Max_ 2020_EFGJKPS_Win_64bit.part2.rar’, and
‘Autodesk_3ds_Max_2020_EFGJKPS_ Win_64bit.part3.rar’. Copy all 3 of those files
from your flash drive to your computer’s desktop. ALL 3 files must be in the SAME
location on your computer during the installation process. Once the copy is complete,
and BEFORE beginning the installation, REGISTER your software on the Autodesk
website. The registration instructions can be found below. Even though you already
have the installation file(s), you STILL need to register the software! 3ds Max will
ONLY work for 30 days if you don’t successfully complete the registration process!

At the end of the registration process, you’ll be given the opportunity to download the
software. You can SKIP this step as you already have a copy (that’s what you just pulled
from your flash drive to your computer or laptop). When registering, you’ll be given a
Serial # and Product Key. Write this information down as it may be needed later.
Autodesk (unlike if the past) now automatically ‘loads’ these details onto your computer
when you install the new software. If for some reason it doesn’t load those important
details, having the codes at hand will enable you to enter the information on your own.
The Serial # and Product Key should also be sent to you via email. Save the email for
later reference if needed.

Once the registration process is complete, you can begin the actual installation. The only
thing you need to do is double-click on the file named ‘Autodesk_3ds_Max_2020_
EFGJKPS_Win_64bit.part1.exe’. The other 2 installation files will automatically ‘link
up’ to the one that you clicked on. Allow the program to install its files to wherever it
recommends on your hard drive. Once the installation process has begun, make sure that
it completes in its entirety. Don’t rely on your battery if you’re installing to a laptop.
Plug that baby into the wall as you don’t want something wrong to happen mid-way
through the installation!

IMPORTANT: If you also find a file that includes the words ‘Service Pack’ or ‘Update’
in the folder that you copied from the Lab server, there’s been additional updates to the
software (usually in the form of fixes) since the original download was made. Those
updates will (also) need to be installed AFTER you have installed the primary software,
and before you run it. Once the primary installation is complete, simply double-click on
the ‘Service Pack’ or ‘Update’ file. Follow whatever instructions are provided on the
screen as you install the update. The Service Pack installation will ensure that you’re
using the most up to date version of the software.

When the installation is complete, you’re ready to go! Open the software to verify that
everything is working. After you’ve used the software a couple of times (and know that
everything is functioning properly), you can safely delete the 3 installation files (and
service pack update file if provided) from your desktop.
Downloading the Software for Yourself from Autodesk
Autodesk, the company that makes 3ds Max, will periodically change the look and layout
of their website. Should that occur, these instructions can still be used as a general
guideline to follow. You’re ready to register the software.

To register and download the 3ds Max software, go to the following website:

www.autodesk.com/education

 Once on the ‘Education Community’ page, click on ‘Free Software’ at the top. When
the next page opens, click on ‘3ds Max’. This will take you to where you can create a
new account. You must have a personal account in order to download the software.
BEFORE beginning the registration process, (if you’ve yet to verify) click on
‘System Requirements’ to confirm that your computer has the necessary resources
(hardware and Windows operating system) it’s going to need in order to run the
software. Once verified, return to the ‘Create Account’ page.

 You can now begin the registration process. Under ‘I need an Account’, click on
‘Create Account’.

 Fill out the requested information in the box that opens. For ‘Educational Role’,
choose ‘Student’. You’ll be asked to provide a valid email address. Make sure
to enter an email address that you can access. Provide the name of your Education
Institution. Enter ‘Victor Valley College’. Once entered, select the school’s name
from the drop down list. Enter your Enrollment dates. Don’t worry if your dates are
a little off, they’re just looking for a general idea. When completed, you’ll get a
message that reads ‘Education Account is All Set’. You can then click ‘Done’.

 When selecting the software, choose version 2020. Your Operating System will be
64-bit. If asked, you want a ‘Stand Alone’ copy of the software. You will then be
provided with the important Serial # and Product Key. Both should automatically
pop up and load during installation, but it’s still recommended that you write those
details down in case you run into any problems. Be sure to also check for the email
from Autodesk which should include the Serial # and Product Key info. Save that
email. Your Serial # and Product Key can be used to install the software on up to
two (2) computers.

IMPORTANT: Without the Serial # and Product Key, the 3ds Max software
will automatically expire 30 days after installation!
 When next prompted, choose ‘Install Now’. The download and installation process
will take a little time, so plan accordingly. There’s nothing you need to configure,
just let the installation go to where it wants to go on your computer’s hard drive.
When prompted, be sure that all of the options (checkboxes) available for installation
are checked before beginning the install. Watch for that part of the process.

Once the 3ds Max software has been installed, it is fully functional with no options or
features being ‘watered down’ or eliminated. You can confidently work on any project
or homework assignment on your personal computer, knowing that your files will open
and function correctly in our Lab. Saving your files to a flash drive will enable you to
easily ‘carry’ your work back and forth from home (or from your laptop). When working
in the Lab, we suggest that you always COPY (and not move) your ‘home’ files from
your flash drive to your personal folder on the server. That will ensure that you always
have a backup copy of whatever file you’re working on. You can also open and save
your files directly to your flash drive, just be careful not to leave your storage device
behind my mistake (whether at home or in the Lab).

The ‘look’ of the 3ds Max Interface

When 3ds Max opens for the first time, you may get a screen that pops up asking about
your preferred ‘Interaction Mode’. Just click OK. There may also be a message asking
about configuring your keyboard shortcuts. Accept the default 3ds Max configuration.
When the software opens, you’ll find a few visual differences in the way your program
looks in comparison to the way it appears while working in the Lab. We’ve optimized a
few things in the Lab version of the interface simply to make the program a little easier to
see up on the projection screen. If you’d like to change the interface display on your
personal version of the software so that it matches the way things look in the classroom,
use the instructions that follow. The changes are quick and easy and don’t affect the way
the software functions in any way. You can quickly revert back to the original ‘look’ of
the software at any time should you want to do so.

If you’d like your personal computer’s 3ds Max interface to match the way things look in
our Lab, follow these steps.

 In the ‘Customize’ pullpown menu, choose ‘Load Custom UI Scheme’. From the
choices select ‘AME Light’. The ‘DefaultUI’ option will change the software back
to its original factory ‘look’.

 You may see an extra column open on the LF hand side of the screen (it’s known as
the Scene Explorer). To close the Scene Explorer, position your mouse at the top of
the column where you see the 2 horizontal black lines. Holding your LF mouse
 button down, drag the column (‘tearing’ it off) to anywhere in the main work area.
Pulling it free will convert the column to a ‘floating’ box which can then be closed by
simply clicking on the ’X’ in the upper RT hand corner.

 Is there also a thinner additional column open on the very far LF hand side? That too
can be ‘torn off’ and closed using the same technique as used for the Scene Explorer.

 You’ll also find an additional set of tool tabs located directly under the main Toolbar.
Modeling, Free Form, Selection, etc…you’ll see the names. To close that area,
position your mouse on the far RT hand side of the main Toolbar (in the empty gray
area). You can then RT-click, unchecking ‘Ribbon’ in the menu that opens.

 If you have small screen navigation icons located in the upper RT corner of each
viewport, click on the ‘+’ that’s located in the upper LF corner of any view. When
the menu opens, choose ‘Configure Viewports’. In the box that opens, navigate to the
‘ViewCube’ tab at the top and uncheck ‘Show the ViewCube’. Then click OK.

 By default, 3ds Max provides a ‘glowing’ selection outline that displays when
hovering over (or selecting) an object in the scene. If you’d like to turn that OFF, go
to the ‘Customize’ pulldown menu, and choose ‘Preferences’. In the box that opens,
navigate to the ‘Viewports’ tab at the top and uncheck the ‘Selection / Preview
Highlights’ option. Some people like the selection outlines; we disable them in the
Lab.

 The Material Editor will also look different. To change its layout and design, while
open, access the ‘Modes’ pulldown menu in the top LF corner. Change the option to
the ‘Compact Material Editor’. If the material ‘balls’ look a little light and washed
out after making the switch, go to the ‘Rendering’ pulldown on the main Toolbar and
choose ‘Gamma / LUT Setup’. In the box that opens, adjust the Gamma setting using
the spinner control just to the right of the option’s name. What you’re aiming to do is
to match the lightness / darkness of the 2 squares; the inside one and the outside one.
You want both squares to match as closely as possible. When going up and down
with the spinner control, you’ll find the squares easier to match up if you squint your
eyes a bit when making the adjustment. It works…try it.

If you have a problem with any of the customization steps, just ask for help.
Running 3ds Max on an Apple Computer
3ds Max will ONLY run on a Windows operating system. The program can be used on
an Apple computer if using a virtual environment manager software program like Boot
Camp, Parallels, Citrix or VMware. Due to issues with Windows 10 and graphics driver
incompatibilities, Autodesk no longer provides support for a Mac computer installation.

Where can you find additional training for 3ds Max?

https://area.autodesk.com/learning/resource/3ds-max/