Find the way to update my 3ds Max Skill

[tomnguyen22032023]

Hello everyone, I am a graphic design student at a university in Vietnam and am self-studying using 3Ds Max but am having some problems because I am self-studying so I lack good learning resources for some of the skills I need, so here is how to learn the following knowledge and find some reputable learning sources:

• Scene optimization: Handling lighting and rendering issues such as Setting up lighting and rendering images is a complex process, requiring an understanding of lighting theory, materials and rendering algorithms.
• Creating animations: complex such as facial animation, cloth simulation, dynamics simulation.

Currently, I am self-studying through sources such as: Udemy, Coursera and some online learning platforms in my country. I also have my first product hired by Terus company. But I still want to learn more new things, hope everyone will share.

Thank you very much, Minh

[RobH2 · Accepted solution]

I welcome your approach as I'm self taught as well. The things you list that you are doing are great ways to start, I've done the same. But like you, I've found it's difficult to find more detailed and scientific info on some of the disciplines. You just have to do a lot of searching on the web. 

For instance, for lighting, search photography sites and other scientific sites. Search for scientific papers on particular disciplines. The scientific papers can be extremely difficult to read and understand but if you keep at it you can pull some valuable tid-bits out of them. 

Unfortunately, a lot of what you are after is called "experience" and it only comes after 100s or 1000s of hours of using, learning and mastering the tools. Users often take years or decades to become masters of some of those tasks. 

One of the best ways to learn complex stuff it to get a job in a large studio for a few years, learn from some amazing pros and then head out with a great set of skills. I never had that chance so I had to learn it on my own. 

It sounds like you have the right thirst and desire to learn it. You'll eventually find it, just search hard, read a lot, search in odd places outside of 3d sites and dive in and experiment. Sometimes I'll find just a single function or parameter in Max that I don't know much about and I'll spend hours or a whole day learning everything I can about it. Then another day I'll do it with another one. Over time it really adds up and you know a tremendous amount more. It just takes time and relentless dedication.

I wish I could direct you to specific sites beyond the ones you already use and ones similar to them that are easy to find. Hopefully someone else will have some specific sites for you to try as well. Good luck and keep learning, don't take your foot off of the gas. 

[tomnguyen22032023]

Thank you for your sharing, this mean a lot for me!!

[dmitriy.shpilevoy]

Seems like you are more interested in posting a link than showing your work that you did for them. Mind showing some renders/wireframe/viewport screenshots?

[tomnguyen22032023]

oh i'm sorry to make you think like that but the purpose of me adding the link is just to increase my credibility with the person answering that I really want to improve my ability! As for the product, because they paid me to do it, I can't just post the product, I'm sorry for that! If you have any reputable learning sources, please suggest me, I really just want to improve my ability!

Thank you, Tom