Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Custom Colors
But wait! The fun does not stop there. You can also customize
your UI colors in 3ds Max. Head back up to the Customize
menu and select Customize User Interface. Select the Colors
tab in the Customize User Interface dialog.
The Colors tab allows you to change just about every
single color 3ds Max applies to its UI and viewports. For
example, to change the viewport background, choose
Viewports from the Elements rollout. Then scroll down to
Viewport Background. Highlight Viewport Background, then
use the color swatch to the right to change the color. After
you select the appropriate color, select the Apply Colors Now
button.
This will apply any color changes you have made. Just like
all other customizations in Max, you can save these color set-
tings by using the Save button. After you have been using
Max for a while, you will no doubt want to change a few things
to what suits your color preference best.
Creating Hotkeys
Creating hotkeys is not super important in the beginning.
Just relax, take your time, and play with the buttons. It's not
like you've got some publisher breathing down your neck say-
ing you have to have these five models finished by the end of
tomorrow! This is more for future reference. I, however, can't
stress enough — once you've learned the program —
please
don't go about clicking every single function button. It's just
silly and you can do some amazingly fast things with just a few
hotkeys. I personally use a combination of what Max has set
by default and my own hotkeys. When you know Max like the
back of your hand, why search around in the UI for a button
when you could just hit a key on your keyboard without even
looking for it?
You go about creating hotkeys in much the same way as
you create custom colors and toolbars. Return to the top of
your UI to the Customize menu and select Customize User
