3dsmax beginners help

[yang49388]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum. I am currently learning 3ds Max by myself, but since I have just come into contact with it, I hope to get your help here~

Because I lack modeling knowledge, I learned to use a friend's 3D scanner to scan daily objects for 3D modeling. I hope to use 3ds Max to post-process the scanned model, such as model repair and optimization, and texture mapping. , rendering and a series of operations. But it doesn't seem to be going so well. I would like to ask you some questions:
1. I think I need to purchase a paid version, so does 3ds Max have a free software installation package that can be used for experiential learning? If so, where can I get it?

2. The current modeling tool MIRACO 3D scanner exports model formats in STL and PLY. Should I directly import it into 3ds Max? If not, what format conversion do I need to do?

3. What computer configuration is required?
4. How to better repair geometric problems in the model, such as filling holes, repairing edges, and eliminating unnecessary planes; and how to operate texture mapping and mapping to get better mapping effects, and adjust rendering parameters.
5. It would be great if there were tutorials for novices

[RobH2 · Accepted solution]

Any Max version will run for 30-days with all functions. That will give you time to experiment and see if it's right for your workflow. Max will import/export STL. I don't see native importers and exporters for PLY. 3rd party products can solve that though. 

As to computer configuration, that's a deep subject. I'll give the link to a long answer I gave on another thread recently. See this thread:  https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/3ds-max-shading-lighting-and/new-to-3ds-max-what-do-i-need-for-seriou...

Answering #4 is difficult as well. It's like asking, "how to I repair 2nd gear in an automatic transmission?" It's hard to just "tell" you what to do. You have to dive in and learn it. There are 100s of posts about the subject if you just search Google or Youtube. You'll find some specifically for beginners. 

For tutorials, there are various outlets but I use Udemy a lot. Wait for the monthly sale and you can get a $90 course for $15. I've done dozens of them. First you need to learn Max, then you need to learn the special workflow for working with 3d scanners and scans. Unfortunately, like most of us have done, there is no easy way to learn all of this. You just have do dive in and do 100s of tutorials, search the web for specific info and learn to implement it. 

If you have a  really specific question you can likely get good help here. For instance, say you import an STL scan from some scanner and it's causing scale issues or something else. You can ask specifically about that and what import parameters need to be tweaked to get a good import. 

But to just ask a question like your #4, there is no simple answer. It's just much bigger than a sentence or two. There "are" tutorials for novices, you just have to go find them. They are out there and it might take 4 or 5 of them to get all of the info you need.