The Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2024: Fundamentals guide provides a thorough introduction to the Autodesk 3ds Max 2024 software that will help new users make the most of this sophisticated application, as well as broaden the horizons of existing, self-taught users. The guide instructs you on how to effectively use the software interface and navigate through the scenes. It explores the creation of 3D objects and how to bring in objects from other software such as Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, and Civil 3D. Additionally, it teaches you to prepare the scenes for renderings by adding materials, lights, and cameras. Finally, the guide covers an understanding of various renderers included with the software, as well as image creation and animation techniques.

The practices in this guide are primarily geared towards real-world tasks encountered by users of the Autodesk 3ds Max software in the Architecture, Interior Design, and Civil Engineering industries. Advanced topics such as character modeling, character animation, and rigging are not covered in this guide.

Topics Covered

• Autodesk 3ds Max interface and workflow
• Assembling files by importing, linking, or merging
• 3D modeling with primitives and 2D objects
• Using modifiers to create and modify 3D objects
• Materials and maps
• Autodesk 3ds Max lighting
• Working with cameras and exposure control
• Rendering using various renderers, such as Scanline, ART, and Arnold
• Animation for visualization

  Prerequisites

  • Access to the 2024.0 version of the software, to ensure compatibility with this guide. Future software updates that are released by Autodesk may include changes that are not reflected in this guide. The practices and files included with this guide might not be compatible with prior versions (e.g., 2023).
  • Experience with 3D modeling is recommended.

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The Autodesk® Civil 3D® 2024: Beyond the Basics guide is designed for civil engineers and surveyors who want to continue exploring the Autodesk Civil 3D software’s interactive, dynamic design functionality. It continues on from the topics covered in the Autodesk Civil 3D 2024: Essentials guide and covers more sophisticated techniques that extend your mastery of the software. This guide looks at configuring the software, Civil 3D’s styles and settings, alternative ways to create surfaces, and creating parcels. It also goes beyond the basics for more advanced corridor and pipe network design. Finally, it covers customizing sheet set properties, performing quantity takeoffs, and visualization.

Topics Covered

• Create a Civil 3D template drawing.
• Create and manage styles and label styles.
• Create data shortcuts.
• Create and edit parcels and print parcel reports.
• Create, edit, view, and analyze surfaces.
• Create assemblies, corridors, and roundabouts.
• Add appurtenances to pressure pipe networks.
• Customize sheet set properties.
• Perform quantity takeoff and volume calculations.

* For professionals looking to learn only the survey functionality, consider the Civil 3D Essentials for Surveyors guide.

Prerequisites

• Access to the 2024.0 version of the software, to ensure compatibility with this guide. Future software updates that are released by Autodesk may include changes that are not reflected in this guide. The practices and files included with this guide might not be compatible with prior versions (e.g., 2023).
• Knowledge of Civil 3D basics as taught in Autodesk Civil 3D: Essentials, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with AutoCAD® or AutoCAD-based products and a sound understanding and knowledge of civil engineering terminology.

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Note: This book is continued in Autodesk® Revit® 2023: Fundamentals for MEP – Part 2. Both books are required to complete this guide.

To take full advantage of Building Information Modeling, the Autodesk® Revit® 2023: Fundamentals for MEP guide has been designed to teach the concepts and principles of creating 3D parametric models of MEP systems from engineering design through construction documentation.

This guide is intended to introduce users to the user interface and the basic HVAC, electrical, and piping/plumbing components that make Autodesk Revit a powerful and flexible engineering modeling tool. The guide will also familiarize users with the tools required to create, document, and print the parametric model. The examples and practices are designed to take users through the basics of a full MEP project from linking in an architectural model to construction documents.

Topics Covered in Part 1

• Introduction to the Autodesk Revit software.
• Navigating the Revit workspace and interface.
• Working with the basic sketching and modifying tools.
• Creating levels and grids as datum elements for the model.
• Understanding Revit families and components.
• Understanding the project browser and working with views.
• Starting an MEP project based on a linked architectural model.
• Creating spaces and zones so that you can analyze heating and cooling loads.
• Creating HVAC networks with air terminals, mechanical equipment, ducts, and pipes.
• Creating plumbing networks with plumbing fixtures and pipes.
• Creating electrical circuits with electrical equipment, devices, and light fixtures and adding cable trays and conduits.
• Creating HVAC and plumbing systems with automatic duct and piping layouts.
• Testing duct, piping and electrical systems.

Prerequisites

• Access to the 2023.0 version of the software, to ensure compatibility with this guide. Future software updates that are released by Autodesk may include changes that are not reflected in this guide. The practices and files included with this guide might not be compatible with prior versions (e.g., 2022).
• This guide introduces the fundamental skills you need to learn the Autodesk Revit MEP software. It is highly recommended that users have experience and knowledge in MEP engineering and its terminology.
• It is recommended that users have a standard three-button mouse to successfully complete the practices in this guide.

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Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an approach to the entire building life cycle. Autodesk® Revit® is a powerful BIM program for architecture, MEP, and structure that supports the ability to coordinate, update, and share design data with team members throughout the design construction and management phases of a building’s life. A key component in managing the BIM process is to establish a company foundation for different types of projects by creating standard templates and custom family elements. Having this in place makes the process of any new project flow smoothly and efficiently.

The objective of the Autodesk® Revit® 2024 BIM Management: Template and Family Creation guide is to enable users who have worked with the software to expand their knowledge in setting up office standards with templates that include annotation styles, preset views, sheets, and schedules, as well as creating custom system, in-place, and component families.

This guide contains practices that are specific to each discipline.

Topics Covered

• Create custom templates with annotation styles, title blocks, and custom element types.
• Create schedules, including material takeoff schedules with formulas.
• Create custom wall, roof, and floor types, as well as MEP system families.
• Set up a component family file with a parametric framework.
• Create family geometry.
• Create family types.
• Modify the visibility of components and incorporate additional family items such as controls, MEP connectors, and nested components.
• Create specific families, including in-place families, profiles, annotations, and parameters.

  This guide also contains discipline-specific practices for families, including doors, windows, railings, pipe fittings, light fixtures, gusset plates, and built-up columns.

  Prerequisites

  • Access to the 2024.0 version of the software, to ensure compatibility with this guide. Future software updates that are released by Autodesk may include changes that are not reflected in this guide. The practices and files included with this guide might not be compatible with prior versions (e.g., 2023).
  • You should be comfortable with the fundamentals of the Autodesk Revit software, as found in the Autodesk Revit 2024: Fundamentals for Architecture, Autodesk Revit 2024: Fundamentals for Structure, or Autodesk Revit 2024: Fundamentals for MEP guides. Knowledge of basic techniques is assumed, such as creating standard elements, copying and moving elements, and creating and working with views. Information on Collaboration Tools, Conceptual Design, and Site Planning and Design are covered in other guides.

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Note: This book is continued in Autodesk® Revit® 2024: Fundamentals for MEP – Part 2. Both books are required to complete this guide.

To take full advantage of Building Information Modeling, the Autodesk® Revit® 2024: Fundamentals for MEP guide (Part 1 and Part 2) has been designed to teach the concepts and principles of creating 3D parametric models of MEP systems from engineering design through construction documentation.

This guide is intended to introduce users to the user interface and the basic HVAC, electrical, and piping/plumbing components that make Autodesk Revit a powerful and flexible engineering modeling tool. The guide will also familiarize users with the tools required to create, document, and print the parametric model. The examples and practices are designed to take users through the basics of a full MEP project from linking in an architectural model to construction documents.

Topics Covered in Part 1

• Introduction to the Autodesk Revit software, including navigating the Revit interface.
• Starting an MEP project based on a linked architectural model and creating levels and grids as datum elements for the model.
• Understanding the project browser and working with views.
• Understanding Revit families and components.
• Working with the basic sketching and modifying tools.
• Copying and monitoring elements and coordinating linked models.
• Creating spaces so that you can analyze heating and cooling loads.
• Connecting and testing basic systems.
• Creating pipe systems with plumbing fixtures and pipes.
• Creating duct systems with air terminals, mechanical equipment, and ducts.
• Creating advanced HVAC and plumbing systems with automatic duct and piping layouts.
• Creating electrical circuits with electrical equipment, devices, and light fixtures and adding cable trays and conduits.

Prerequisites

• Access to the 2024.0 version of the software, to ensure compatibility with this guide. Future software updates that are released by Autodesk may include changes that are not reflected in this guide. The practices and files included with this guide might not be compatible with prior versions (e.g., 2023).
• This guide introduces the fundamental skills you need to learn the Autodesk Revit MEP software. It is highly recommended that users have experience and knowledge in MEP engineering and its terminology.
• It is recommended that users have a standard three-button mouse to successfully complete the practices in this guide.

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To take full advantage of Building Information Modeling, the Autodesk® Revit® 2024: Fundamentals for Structure guide has been designed to teach the concepts and principles of creating 3D parametric models of structural buildings from engineering design through construction documentation.

This guide is intended to introduce you to the user interface and the basic building components of the software that makes Autodesk® Revit® a powerful and flexible structural modeling tool. The goal is to familiarize you with the tools required to create, modify, analyze, and document a parametric model. The examples and practices are designed to take you through the basics of a full structural project, from linking in an architectural model to construction documents.

Topics Covered

• Introduction to the Autodesk Revit software, including navigating the Revit interface
• Starting a structural project based on a linked architectural model and creating levels and grids as datum elements for the model
• Understanding the project browser and working with views
• Understanding Revit families and components
• Working with the basic sketching and modifying tools
• Adding structural columns to a project and copying and monitoring elements from linked models
• Adding foundations and footings
• Creating structural framing, including beams, trusses, and framing systems
• Creating slabs for foundations, structural floors, and roofs
• Creating structural reinforcement, including placing rebar and adding fabric reinforcement
• Setting up sheets and placing and modifying views on sheets
• Working with dimensions, text, annotations, and legends
• Adding tags and working with schedules
• Setting up detail views and adding detail components

  Prerequisites

  • Access to the 2024.0 version of the software, to ensure compatibility with this guide. Future software updates that are released by Autodesk may include changes that are not reflected in this guide. The practices and files included with this guide might not be compatible with prior versions (e.g., 2023).
  • This guide introduces the fundamental skills in learning how to use the Autodesk Revit software, with a focus on the structural tools. It is highly recommended that students have experience and knowledge in structural engineering and its terminology.

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