Although 3DS Max is usually used to create animation and sometimes realistic objects and effects, Max can also be used to create some wonderfully abstract images. Following this tutorial allows you to quickly create one of these creations while learning about polygons and vertices. By manipulating parts of an object you can model them to look like anything your mind can imagine.

Part One: The Sphere & Editable Mesh

The first part of this tutorial is fairly straightforward, but may be new to those who have never gone beyond primitive shapes.

1. Go to the Command Panel and create a Sphere. It should be large enough to fill at least three quarters of the perspective view.

2. If you cannot already see the lines that make up the spherical opbject, press F4 on your keyboard. In order to edit the specific vertices, lines, and polygons that make up the sphere, it is necessary to convert the sphere into an Editable Mesh.

3. In 3DSMax r4, right click on the sphere and follow the menu system down to Convert To | Convert To Editable Mesh.

4. In 3D Studio Max r3, right click on the sphere and less complex menu with similar options will be available. As an Editable Mesh the sphere can be pushed and pulled apart by first selecting vertices, lines, or polygonal shapes and then selecting a portion of the sphere to move in random patterns.

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Part Two: Breaking Vertices

The default construction of any primitive object is to be as organic as possible. this requires a soft bending between different lines. Observing the original sphere, it was quite smooth and round. However, the sphere is made up of squares and, while not as obvious, those squares are made up of triangles. The roundness of the sphere is created partially by the number of these triangles, but also by 3DSMax's attempt at creating organic structures. By Breaking Vertices the object will no longer attempt to keep its smoothness.

5. Before continuing, make sure that the mesh editing selection tools are unselected. Just as the image above shows that the vertices are chosen (in yellow), they must be clicked again to shut it off (and removing the yellow highlight.)

6. Next, right click on the sphere and move down the menu options until you see the option to "Break Vertices". This option is available on both 3DSMaxr4 and 3D Studio Max r3.

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Part Three: Adding Material - Complexity

Now that an abstract shape has been created with sharp angles, a material can be added in order to produce a layered effect. Furthermore, copies of the same object can be made and slightly altered so that a number of objects with different colors can be mixed together.

7. Select "M" on the keyboard to pull up the Material Editor.

8. Select an orb (the round balls at the top of the Material Editor). Each orb can contain information related to color, image, opacity, shine, and a slew of other more complex attributes. In this case, a blue color orb will be created with a slight opacity will be created.

9. By moving towards the Diffuse color slot and selecting the rectangular shape a color selection bar will pop-up. Select the blue color range and move the color slider up towards a deeper part of the blue. If you do not move this slider, then you will most likely be left with the default white. Notice that the Ambient color changed to a blue since the Diffuse is linked to the Ambient color.

10. In order to create a glass like appearance a few attributes need to be set. Move to the Self Illumination option and click it on. Select the color selection bar and choose a lighter color blue than in the Diffuse slot.

11. Change the Opacity to 60.

12. Change the Specular Level to 100.

13. Change the Glossiness to 35. The last three options can be tweaked to your preference, however, a good rule of thumb is that the higher the peak the greater the shine and the more narrow the range the less coverage of that shine. Pay attention to the changes in the orb to see the effect.

14. Apply the material by left clicking on the orb and dragging the material to the object you created.

15. As an added touch you can hold down the SHIFT key on the keyboard and drag the object slightly in any direction. A copy will be created. If you apply a slightly different colored material, grey might be a good choice, and change the opacity slightly, an intriguing look can be created. Continue to experiment by using Scale on the object. The final product could be used for splash pages on websites or made into an animation. One idea might be to lower the opacity and animate the abstract image. This could be used as a background for opening credits in movies or identification logos. It could also be used when creating jewelery and a shiny gemstone is needed. Ultimately, it can be used for whatever your imagination can come up with.