Contents at a Glance -- Table of Contents -- Introduction -- Introducing 3ds max 4 -- Using Primitives and Splines -- Selection and Transform Tools -- Managing the Display -- Working Smart -- Modeling with Modifiers -- Mesh- Level Modeling -- Compound Objects -- Patch Modeling -- NURBS Modeling -- Materials and the Material Editor -- Maps and Mapping -- Lights -- Cameras -- Rendering Tools -- Environment and Render Effects -- Animation Essentials -- Animating the Transforms -- Deforming the Geometry -- Special Animation Topics -- Using Video Post -- Keyboard Shortcuts -- Index.