
Explore 3ds Max and V-Ray from basics to advanced techniques, modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering a complete architectural scene based on van der Roy's Barcelona Pavilion.
Download and install 3ds Max and V-Ray with a free 30-day trial. Access free textures and models from Ambient Wkrg.com, Aero Dash, Evermotion, and Turbosquid to build your library.
Set up and customize the Max layout by undocking panels and resizing viewports. Enable the main, snaps, V-Ray, and Phoenix toolbars and use the V-Ray frame buffer for renders.
Explore the 3ds Max interface, viewports, and navigation; learn to create and modify objects with gizmos, pivots, and grid snapping, using standard and extended primitives.
Explore editable poly modeling in 3ds Max, converting objects to editable poly and using vertex, edge, and polygon modes with inset, extrude, bevel, and chamfer to build a coffee grinder.
Learn clean topology by detecting and welding overlapping vertices, then model with splines and modifiers such as lathe, outline, fillet, and shell to create animator-ready 3d forms.
Master V-Ray materials and studio lighting to render photorealistic scenes. Build a reusable setup and apply diffuse, reflection, glossiness, Fresnel, metalness, and refraction with bitmap textures and UVW mapping.
Explore essential polygon modeling tools in 3ds Max, including connect, loop and ring edge tools, bridge, turbosmooth, and edge dragging, with a practical DWG to 3D floor plan workflow.
Explore the 3ds max modifier stack as a non-destructive, layered workflow and learn how the order of modifiers like stretch, twist, taper, lattice, FFD, symmetry, and sweep shapes matters.
Refine interior modeling workflows in 3ds Max and V-Ray, creating accurate baseboards and doors, applying textures with color correction, and lighting with HDRi, V-Ray Sun, and interactive rendering.
Explore exterior rendering in 3ds Max with V-Ray Sky, spacing tools, and spline-based scattering to place buildings, trees, and landscape features; polish with V-Ray materials and presets.
Delve into deeper V-Ray materials, mastering opacity, displacement, self-illumination, translucency, diffuse roughness, and the coat layer, plus bump and normal maps for ultra-realistic renders.
Recreate the Barcelona Pavilion through a two-part production workflow, modeling and texturing the pavilion, then setting up lighting and rendering with V-Ray fur for exterior grass.
Create a natural environment by shaping terrain, adding V-Ray fur grass, merging ground zones, scattering trees with proxies, and refining lighting with V-Ray sun and sky.
Master a production rendering workflow for pavilion interiors in 3ds Max and V-Ray, from camera setup and material tweaks to lighting, post-production color grading, and denoising.
Learn 3ds Max and V-Ray by recreating Mies van der Rohe’s iconic Barcelona Pavilion from scratch. This course is perfect for aspiring 3D artists and architects who want to learn professional modeling, material creation, lighting, and rendering techniques in a practical, project-based format. Perfect for interior design, archviz, product rendering and more.
Expert Instructor: Learn directly from an Architect, 3ds Max artist & V-Ray mentor since 2007.
In Short, You Will Learn: Modeling, Lighting, Texturing & Rendering. — plus blueprint-based workflows, efficient scene structuring, and photorealistic post-production tools.
You’ll Start From the Very Basics — learning the interface, navigation, and essential tools — and gradually build up your skills by creating models from blueprints, reference images, or completely from the ground up. You’ll learn how to build clean, optimized geometry, create realistic V-Ray materials, use HDRI and V-Ray Sun for lighting, and produce high-quality renders using different rendering methods and post-processing tools inside the V-Ray Frame Buffer
Portfolio-Ready Project: The course is project-based, and the entire Barcelona Pavilion scene that you build and render during the course will become a part of your portfolio. You’ll also be able to set up even more camera angles and generate as many final renders as you like, showing your ability to build the model, apply materials, add lighting, and create professional-quality renders.
Alongside the theory, practical exercises begin right from the very beginning.
This course is designed to help you apply each concept immediately. Every topic is followed by a hands-on session that we’ll complete together, step by step.
Videos have clear, professional-quality sound in neutral English
The 6+ Hours of Video Lessons are professionally edited to deliver a continuous, distraction-free learning experience. There are no sudden jump cuts or time-wasting pauses — every minute is packed with valuable information, flowing smoothly from one step to the next, so your time is used as efficiently as possible
Downloadable Resources: You’ll get downloadable 3D example models, practice images, text files with hotkeys, useful links, and notes. The Barcelona Pavilion model is not included. You’ll be building it yourself from scratch, following the blueprint together with me. This hands-on approach ensures you stay engaged and truly learn the process — no shortcuts!
Who this course is for:
Anyone who wants practical, project-based training to confidently create photorealistic 3D renders for personal growth or professional use
Students interested in learning 3ds Max from the basics and exploring architectural visualization
Interior Designers wanting to create realistic 3D presentations of their projects
Architects aiming to develop modeling, lighting, and rendering skills
Beginners and intermediate users who want to master 3ds Max and V-ray fundamentals: modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering
Freelancers seeking to expand their skillset to take on architectural visualization projects
Enthusiasts wanting to understand the entire process from modeling to final render
Brief Overview of the Lessons
· Where to Get Free High Quality Textures and Models – Trusted sources for resources
· Setting up the layout - Interface and navigation
· Getting Started with 3ds Max – Object creation, hotkeys, and pivots
· Edit Poly Workflow – Modeling tools, unit setup, and building the first model
· Clean Topology & Splines – Reference images and blueprint-based modeling
· Lighting & Rendering Basics – Studio setup with V-Ray lights and materials
· Blueprint Modeling – DWG import, snapping, and architectural modeling of the building plan
· Modifiers & Advanced Shapes – Stack control and complex forms
· Interior Rendering – HDRI, V-Ray Sun, textures, and interactive feedback
· Environment & Exterior Rendering – Parks, cities, models, and V-Ray Sky
· V-Ray Material Mastery – Advanced shaders and new features
· Barcelona Pavilion Modeling and Texturing – Complete modeling from a real blueprint and materials creation
· Pavilion Landscape & Scene Creation– Grass, trees, Terrain, and lighting refinement
· Final Render of Pavilion & Post – Exposure, DOF, AI denoiser, and VFB tools
Requirements / Prerequisites
No prior experience with 3ds Max or V-Ray is required — you’ll learn everything step by step.
A Windows PC or laptop capable of running 3ds Max and V-Ray (recommended: 16GB RAM or more).
3ds Max and V-Ray installed — trial versions are fine for learning purposes.
Basic computer skills: navigating folders, downloading files, and installing software.
A willingness to follow along with the lessons and actively participate in exercises.