Well, I'e been using 3DS max off and over a period of about a year and a half or so now, but mostly for the purpose of creating low poly meshes for games. I havnt really touched max for about 6 months now, and I decided to try and pick it up again and do a unique project so I could sell it cuz I really need some money right about now.
I started working with 3D Studio Max R3 way back, and then R4 came out right afterwards (like maybe 2 weeks afterwards) so I started working with that, and then switched to R5 when it came out. R6 was recently released (just a few months ago) and they have really upped the quality and streamline of the program, especially in terms of lighting, rendering, visualization, etc, but the new interface is so much different that its REALLY hard to get used to, and I just havnt wanted to get used to another one.
I've also worked off and on with Maya, lightwave, and Rhino, and honestly 3D Studio Max is still my favorite, and the favorite of 90% of game makers worldwide. Its got a hell of a lot of buttons, but once you learn the terms of the program, it all becomes alot clearer, its just like any other form of art, you have to learn the terms and techniques and how to use the tools properly before you can be good. I hear alot of people complain about how they cant get good over a period of a few weeks, but honestly, can you be really good at ANYTHING in 3 or 4 weeks? 3D modelling, and especially animation, takes hours and hours of dedicated work, and alot of patience,cuz stuff WILL frustrate the hell outta you. You ahve to learn to work with poly structures to create a smooth mesh (which aint easy), and learn how to make certain curves work properly with mesh smooth, how to tweak your mesh, etc etc.
After making this mesh, I have alot of people asking me to write a tutorial, so I am thinking of writing a not-so-indepth tutorial about how to use max and basic mesh shapes so they can get started on their own.
but it's very nice 
!!
I like the color.
Background it is.
