System Requirements

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Conceptually, unlike other top packages for 3D graphics, 3ds max can run on computers considered "weak." To avoid any ordeals and to enjoy the work, your computer should be Intel Pentium III-based with a clock rate of no less than 300 MHz, RAM of 256 MB, a video display board, hardware supporting Direct3D or OpenGL, and video memory of no less than 32 MB. Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP is desirable, although 3ds max also can run on Windows 98SE or NT4 SP 6. A monitor with a 17-inch screen is preferable.

We recommend that you update your copy of 3ds max to version 5.1. Updates eliminate some problems, and often the bugs of previous versions have been fixed. See the detailed information at http://www.discreet.com. Version 5.1 is the base one in this book.

A three-button mouse or, better, one with a wheel is recommended. The central button and the wheel of the mouse are actively used in 3ds max for navigating in the viewports. The three-button mouse is referred to in this book.

What occurs on the screen as you work with 3ds max depends on the configuration of your computer and especially on the settings of its video system. Therefore, if you see something different from what is shown in the pictures of this book (especially related to the viewports), don't be upset; it is possible that this is because of differences in configuration.

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