@janemeyre764
There have been some good posts/message threads on this forum answering that question :
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/3ds-max-forum/learning-3ds-max/m-p/6884474#M131445
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/3ds-max-forum/best-most-efficient-way-to-learn-3ds-max/m-p/6391194#M1...
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/3ds-max-forum/books-or-learning-materials/m-p/5083348#M94564
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/3ds-max-forum/guidance-and-advice-for-self-sufficient-3ds-max-learnin...
But in addition to that, I suggest you learn on a specific project that you take on that brings together all the skills required for what you want to do. For example, create a photorealistic scene in max of any interior (e.g., a room in your house, apartment, School, etc ) or exterior place you have access to that seems appealing to you. Make it challenging in detail but not overwhelmingly so. Take pictures and use those pictures to create textures of the objects and as reference for lighting. Add characters and animation if you want to learn that aspect as well. By working on a personal project like this you will learn in an integrated way how to bring the tools together and develop your skills in a way that you will remember much better than just following isolated tutorials (these tutorials have their place, but best as contributing to a larger effort you design.) It's one thing to know the individual skills of modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, animation, CG characters, etc, it's another to create a finished work.
My 2 cents for what it's worth. Good luck. I'm having a blast, myself. Pick a project and go for it.
