Working inside a black box while modeling

[lsinnett]

I'm working on some tuturials but the box I am working in is very dark on the inside walls.  Is this normals?  Or is it extreme shadows.   3ds Max 2015

[eodeo]

Have you tried selecting the offending walls in edit poly and "fliping" the normals?

[lsinnett]

Actually I think it's just the default lighting and shading.  At some angles the walls are fine but then turn very black.   Also when I render the walls inside are invisible.

[CAMedeck]

Yes, the default lighting will change as you rotate around your model.

I'd add a Shell modifier to your walls to give them thickness.  You're seeing through them because it's the backface, and it will only show if you turn off backface cull or set the material to be 2 sided.