This tutorial will accurately
instruct how to create a wave on a plane using Autodesk 3D Studio Max. I chose
to use a plane instead of a 3D object so that the space underneath the surface
of the water may be visible. I would suggest at least basic familiarity with the
program before attempting this process.
Note: Save your progress after
each step.
Step 1: Create a plane
Click the ‘plane’ option from the
command panel. Click and drag on the viewport to create a plane. Be sure to
make the plane long and narrow. Making the object large is usually better
because you can more easily work with little details, but not too large or else
the program will crash.
Step 2: Editing your plane
Right click on the object and at
the bottom of the panel, choose ‘convert to editable poly’ and then in the
control panel choose the option ‘view points’ which appears as a graphic of
three points.
Step 3: Begin Animating
Under the time bar at the bottom,
click on ‘Auto Key.’ This will automatically set times of change on the object
in the time bar.
Step 4: Move the end points
Select the end points on the
plane and, using the move tool (QWRTY key W), move the points up the Y axis 2
or 3 unites up.
Step 5: Move the inner points
Select the next set of points on
the inner side of the plane and, using the move tool again, move the points up
to half a unit lower than the first set of units.
Step 6: Create a slope
Continue moving the columns up,
each one slightly lower than the one before it, until you reach the desired
steepness of the wave.
Step 7: Create the wave
Once the steepness is achieved,
lower the first column of points, and continue to create a hump. Playback the
animation to make sure the wave is smoothly rolling and no sections are moving
when they shouldn’t be.
Step 8: Roll on
Continue moving the points on the
inner side of the plane up and the points on the outer end down. The Auto Key
will automatically set the times of change and animate your wave. To make the
wave curve smoother, apply the modifier Turbosmooth.
Continue this process until your
wave reaches the end of the plane. You can gradually make the wave larger by
moving the points higher as you continue to construct your wave.
First, select the object. Then, select the material modifier at the top of the menu.
The window above will open. On the left, scroll down and select "Autodesk Water."
To see the surface of the object better, select the text in the top left corner of the perspective viewport. On the list that appears, unclick "Edged Surface" and click "Realistic."
