UI / Scene Setup

MEIS | 3ds Max

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UI / Scene Setup | Theory

MEIS | 3ds Max

Topic

Sub-Topic

Recommendation
Explain the importance of analyzing user workflow, focusing on a productive arrangement of the user interface (UI) to perform specific tasks. Compare software UI interaction to the human/UI interaction associated with other task-based products around us (mobile phones, automobile dashboards, television remotes, musical instruments, etc...).

Reference
Workflow

Level
Fundamental

UI Workflow UI Task Analysis

Reflective Practice Review the benefits gained by evaluating UI interaction and explain (Identifying Roadblocks) why well-organized use of the UI can best support and sustain efficient workflow. Reviewing UI Tools

Reflective Practice

Fundamental

Explore how the effective use of a well-organized and simplified UI User Interface reduces CPU overhead, streamlines workflow, ensures easily accessible tools, and processes and results in enhanced productivity. Mentorship

Fundamental

Improving UI Application Explore and illustrate how comparing UI strategies and workflow among peers and mentors who do the same or similar tasks, and making changes based on their feedback and recommendations, has a positive effect of personal productivity, multi-user production workflow, creative teamwork, and job satisfaction. Multiple Competing UIs (Digital Distractions) Illustrate the positive and/or negative effects on specialized tasks and workplace productivity of adding additional UIs that involve continuous partial attention and explain the importance of reducing digital distractions.

Fundamental

Continuous Partial Attention

Fundamental

98

UI / Scene Setup | Applied

MEIS | 3ds Max

Topic

Sub-Topic

Recommendation
Demonstrate the process of analyzing a production task by capturing and recording a users workflow and associated UI organization using peer or mentor evaluation. Select a suitable production task and demonstrate how a disorganized application of the UI can hinder workflow and how inefficient arrangements can dramatically reduce productivity. Demonstrate the application of a well-organized and efficient UI for two or three selected core tasks and show how application workflow is enhanced and system response is improved. Demonstrate the positive effects of peer and mentor feedback on the accessibility, organization, sequencing, simplicity, consistency, workflow and efficient use of UI tools and techniques. Demonstrate the effect of multitasking on a single task compared to using a single, user-defined UI.

Reference
Workflow

Level
Fundamental

UI Workflow UI Task Analysis

Reflective Practice (Identifying Roadblocks) Reviewing UI Tools

Reflective Practice User Interface

Fundamental

Fundamental

Improving UI Application

Mentorship

Fundamental

Multiple Competing UIs (Digital Distractions)

Continuous Partial Attention

Fundamental

99

WARNING: This document contains several instances where URLs of the same or similar name may link to different website addresses

UI / Scene Setup | Activity

MEIS | 3ds Max

Topic
UI Workflow

Sub-Topic
UI Task Analysis

Recommendation
Carry out a typical production task engaging the services of a peer or mentor to observe and record your use of the UI in an annotated timeline. Deconstruct and examine the results of your task analysis with feedback from your peer or mentor. Discuss and analyze your use of the UI, identifying organizational arrangements that obstruct productivity.

Reference
Workflow

Level
Fundamental

Reflective Practice (Identifying Roadblocks) Reviewing UI Tools

Reflective Practice

Fundamental

As a result of your task analysis, reconstruct the user interface User Interface to accommodate the best use of UI tools include the simple arrangement of views and windows, menus and shelves, the use of keyboard shortcuts, scripting, readable text, color coding and other user-defined UI system attributes. Test and evaluate the revised UI, assess the resulting changes in productivity and progress, and document the result of peer and mentor feedback on personal productivity, continuous improvement, and corporate effectiveness. Evaluate and compare personal productivity under two conditions; working solely on a single application with user defined UI, and working with multiple applications using one or more additional inputs in the form of internet access, social networking, e-mail, audio and/or video channels, IM, chat, conferencing and other applications and/or services. Mentorship

Fundamental

Improving UI Application

Fundamental

Multiple Competing UIs (Digital Distractions)

Continuous Partial Attention

Fundamental

100

WARNING: This document contains several instances where URLs of the same or similar name may link to different website addresses

UI / Scene Setup | Tools

MEIS | 3ds Max

Topic
UI Navigation

Sub-Topic
Left/Right Click Right Click blank area of a Toolbar to access additional Toolbars Coordinate System Grid and Snap Orthographic/Perspective Help Files

Recommendation
Demonstrate how to access additional toolbars by Right Clicking on blank Toolbar space Discuss the different systems, highlighting their unique features Demonstrate how to change the Grid and Snap settings Discuss the differences between both views Demonstrate how to access and navigate the help files Demonstrate how to change the configure the viewport to personal preference

Reference
Customizing the User Interface Reference Coordinate System Grid and Snap Settings Understanding Views Using the 3ds Max Help Viewport Configuration

Level
Fundamental Fundamental

Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental

Viewport Navigation

Configuring Viewports Middle Mouse Button - Pan Alt + Middle Mouse Button Rotate Ctrl/Alt Speed feature Shift + Z - Viewport Undo

Demonstrate the ability to Pan viewports with Viewport Navigation the MMB Demonstrate the ability to Rotate viewports with Alt+MMB Demonstrate the Ctrl+Alt Speed feature Demonstrate the Viewport Undo function Demonstrate and discuss the benefits to customizing the UI to your personal preference Demonstrate the ability to access Flyout buttons Demonstrate the ability to access different Quad Menus by holding Ctrl/Alt/Shift and Right Clicking Discuss the different Displays and their uses Viewport Navigation Viewport Navigation Viewport Navigation Customize User Interface Dialog Special Controls Quad Menu

Toolbars, Menus and Quads

Customize UI

Click and Hold certain Toolbar Buttons for extended Options (Ctrl/Alt/Shift) + Right Click in Viewport for Quad Menu Viewport Display Smooth + Highlights Wireframe Hidden Line Edged Faces xView

Fundamental Fundamental

Rendering Method Rendering Method Rendering Method Rendering Method xView

Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental

101

UI / Scene Setup | Tools

MEIS | 3ds Max

Topic
Preferences Settings

Sub-Topic
Undo

Recommendation
Demonstrate the ability to increase/decrease them amount of Undos and its impact on performance Discuss the AutoBack feature and how to change its settings Discuss the ability to change Drivers and the effects on visual performance Explain the functionality and benefits of Degradations Discuss the ability to Redraw All Views incase of visual irregularities and artifacts Demonstrate the different selection methods

Reference

Level

General Preferences Fundamental

AutoBack Change Drivers Adaptive Degradation Redraw All Views Object Selection Left Click Ctrl + Click Alt + Click Click and Drag Lock Selection Window / Crossing Selection Filters Selection Region Named Selection Naming Conventions

File Preferences Viewport Preferences Adaptive Degradation Redraw All Views

Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental

Demonstrate the benefits of Locking a Selection Discuss and demonstrate the differences between the two selection types Demonstrate the ability to filter the type of Object you wish to select Demonstrate the different Selection Regions Explore the Select by Name Tool Discuss the importance of Naming Conventions and the benefits of having an organized scene

Lock Selection Window/Crossing Selection Toggle Selection Filter List Selection Region Using Select By Name

Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental

102

UI / Scene Setup | Tools

MEIS | 3ds Max

Topic
Object Transformation

Sub-Topic
Axis Constraints Reference Coordinates Transform Type-in Fields Absolute Relative Align Tool Pivot Point

Recommendation
Demonstrate the benefits of constraining Transforms to a certain Axis Discuss the different systems, highlighting their unique features Demonstrate the ability to produce accurate Transforms by typing them in Discuss the differences between both transform methods Demonstrate the Align Tool and its benefits Demonstrate and discuss the Pivot Points ability to change how Transforms effect the object Highlight this functionality as a time saving function Demonstrate the ability to name selections and how this can increase productivity Demonstrate the benefits to Grouping objects together Demonstrate and discuss how these can aid in the organization of a scene Demonstrate this Mode and how it can simplify interactions in complex scenes Demonstrate and discuss how this can organize files for a project Discuss the differences between them Demonstrate the ability to Save and Load custom UI settings

Reference
Axis Constraints Toolbar Reference Coordinate System Transform Type-In Using Transforms Using Transforms Align Adjust Pivot Rollout

Level
Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental

Right Click Spinner to Zero Object Organization Named Selection Sets Groups Layers & Hide/Freeze Isolation Mode Project Folder Overview Absolute and Relative Paths Custom UI Save and Load

Fundamental Named Selection Sets Using Groups Using Layers to Organize a Scene Isolate Selection Set Project Folder Set Project Folder Saving and Loading Custom User Interfaces Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental Fundamental

103