Escalight - 3ds Max tutorial, Photoshop, Flash, V-Ray, Blender, Free 3D models, etc

by Didik Wijaya
This tutorial needs you to understand basic use of 3dsmax.

Once upon a time .... This phrase has been used in storytelling of childrenbook, movies and animated film. Often, opening shot of this movie shows an self opened book. Piece by piece of paper flipped opening more pages. In this tutorial, you will create this kind of animation. If you think to create this animation is hard, think again.I will show you how to create this kind of animation easily.

1. First, you need 3D book model.You can download 3D book model here (3DS format, zipped). After you download this file, extract, and import into 3dsmax (File>Import). This model will be converted in 3dsmax into Editable Mesh. In Perspective viewport, activate Edged Faces display (press F4 in keyboard).

You also need to download bitmap file used later as material. There are 3 JPG files. Download material here (101 kb, zipped)

2. First step is texturing the book. I will use Multi/Sub-Object Material. Using this material type, single object can have several map applied altogether. For example, I will apply 3 different material for cover, book side, and inside pages. Before you can apply Multi/Sub-Object Material, you need to set different Material ID in each area to be mapped.

Select book model. Go to Modify tab. Activate Polygon selection. Select all polygons in book side (look at image below). In Selection rollouts you should read about "132 faces selected". Use Ctrl+click to select multiple polygons. You also need to zoom and rotate your view to select polygons in 4 directions. When finished, go to Surface Properties rollout.By default, every polygons has Material ID=1. Now, change Set ID=2. Press Enter after you fill in.

3. Next, select all polygons creating book cover. You should read "754 faces selected" in Selection rollout.. Change Material ID=3.

4.At this point you should have 3 Material IDs. (look at image below for reference). Next step is to apply different material into each Material ID.

5. Open Material Editor (press M in keyboard). Select one empty material slot, name this material "book". Apply this material into book model (by clicking Assign Material to Selection button). Then change material type, click Standard button. In Material/Map Browser click Multi/Sub-Object twice. Just click OK in opened dialog box.

In Multi/Sub-Object Basic Parameters rollout, click Set Number button. Fill 3, because you only need to make 3 material.

Click button right next to Mat ID=1 (Under Sub-Material). Name this material "page base". In Blinn Basic Parameters, click small button right next to Diffuse. Click Bitmap in Material/Map Browser window. Then choose "page_base.jpg". Click Go to Parent button twice to go back to Multi/Sub-Object Basic Parameters rollout.

Click button right next to Mat ID=2 (Under Sub-Material). Name this material "page side". In Blinn Basic Parameters, click color box right next to Diffuse. Change color into light brown (R=244, G=231, B=208). Click Go to Parent button twice to go back to Multi/Sub-Object Basic Parameters rollout

Use similar process like above for cover book material (Material ID=3). This time use red brown color (R=175, G=97, B=34). Click Go to Parent button twice to go back to Multi/Sub-Object Basic Parameters rollout

Now, you have created Multi/Sub-Object Material for book model.

6. Before you can render, you need to apply UVW Mapping to book model. For Alignment, use Y axis. Click Bitmap Fit and choose "page_base.jpg" as reference. UVW Mapping Gizmo will be scaled proportionally with bitmap file.

7. In Modifier Stack, click minus (-) sign on the left of UVW Mapping. Select Gizmo row. UVW Mapping Gizmo will turn yellow, and now you can move it. Position and scale to fit opened pages in 3D book model. When finished click Gizmo row again to turn off.

8. Render Perspective viewport. You should have something like image below.

Pageflip Animation Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Any question or comments regarding this tutorial should be sent to:
Didik Wijaya, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Discuss this tutorial