Often a shape looks great on screen using max, but if you want to actually make it in 3d then it’s a bit tricky seeing as we don’t have access to a rapid prototyping machine or a CNC mill, but we do have a laser cutter. So this explains how to turn a 3d studio model into a real thing made up of laminates of card, paper, ply, Perspex whatever you want. This tutorial assumes a basic knowledge of 3DS Max an AutoCAD.

It’s worth using the measure distance tool in the tools menu to see how big it is, then measuring your hand or foot or something so you actually have an idea about how big it’s going to come out.

Once you are happy with an object that you have designed in max and want to actually see what it looks like then you need to make a decision about what you are going to make it out of. as the model is going to be made up of layers the thickness of the material will affect the curve resolution, there will be steps in one direction, so the thinner the layers the finer the curve resolution, but the more layers, so more work and more material.

As the layers are going to sit on top of each other they will need to have some sort of key or registering point to make sure they line up in the same place as they did on the computer model. the easiest way to do this is to do a Boolean subtraction of a shape all the way through your object wherever you think it’s necessary (anywhere the last key no longer has any influence.) the simplest shape is a square or rectangle with one dimension the same as the thickness as your material, this means that you can make the keys at the same time as you are cutting the shape.

Download pdf Making 3d (2.5d) models of an object in 3ds max