3DS MAX | Automotive Essentials

Build a solid 3DS Max foundation for automotive design, from clean modelling workflows to presentation ready visuals and exports.

Course Goals

This 5-day introductory course gives automotive and mobility designers a solid foundation in 3ds Max as a modelling and visualisation tool. Participants learn how to block out vehicle forms, add key exterior details, set up studio-style lighting, and produce convincing renders suitable for design reviews and stakeholder presentations.

By the end of the week, each participant will have built a simple vehicle model, applied believable materials, and rendered a small set of “hero” images aligned with typical studio workflows – ready to plug into wider visualisation pipelines or real-time tools.

Key outcomes

• Navigate and customise the 3ds Max workspace for automotive projects
• Block out and refine clean, editable vehicle geometry
• Use symmetry, instancing, and modifiers to work efficiently
• Apply materials, basic shaders, and lighting setups tailored to automotive
• Set up cameras, render passes, and export assets/renders