Hey all,

I’m new here, and to 3Ds max, but from the looks of it i’ll be spending quite some time here :) I was just wondering if there is any way to import an image so that I can use it as a reference image inside of my viewport? I have tried to set my image as a texture and then apply it to an cube, but it wouldnt let me apply the actual material. I’m almost positive its possible, because I have done it with other modeling programs. If my question is unclear, i would be more then happy to post a SS of what I mean from another program.

Thank you in advance!
-Merc

If you want to have a pleasant time here, which I sincerely wish you, the first thing is to take a look into the Help, just use the search facility.
To the question if I am properly understanding it, there are to ways to do it: assign the image as a background map (Views>Viewport Background), or create a Plane object, put it at the right place and assign the reference image on the plane. Good Luck!

ivan

Do be sure to go through the tutorials that ship with Max to learn how to use it’s features,
they may differ from other programs you’ve used.
To apply a material to a cube using a jpg (photo) put a standard (or Mentalray or any other type)
material on your object then click the button by the diffuse color swatch or go to the Maps section
of the material and go to the Diffuse slot, then click the elongated button to the right of the text that says
Diffuse and choose Bitmap as your textue type from the menu of types available.
Browse to where your jpg or other bitmap type is located and select that file.
The image map is now on your object which will show when you render.
To see it in the Max viewport click the Show Bitmap In Viewport (or whatever it is actually called)
at the top of the bitmap panel in the Material Editor.

Max 2012
Windows 7 64 SP1

In the shipping tutorials for 3ds Max 2009-

Modeling Tutorials:
>Modeling a Low-Poly Character
>>Modeling a Low-Poly Body
>>>Setting Up the Scene
>>Modeling a Low-Ply Head
>>>Setting up the Scene

After looking into these, if you have further questions or problems, please ask.

Tim Wilbers [FA]

College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Visual Arts
University of Dayton
http://www.udayton.edu/
3ds Max: 7.5, 8, 9, 2008, 2009, 2010