The process of rendering a still image usually follows this workflow:

Create a Camera.

Fine-Tune Camera Position and Parameters.

Adjusting a camera’s parameters.

Set up Render Parameters.

Render the Image.

 

Create a Camera.

Usually, the first step in creating a rendered still image from 3DS Max is to create a camera. There are two kinds of cameras in 3DS Max. Free Cameras are useful for creating animations (see 3DS Max Design: Rendering a Simple Path Animation). For still images, Target Cameras are more useful.

1. Choose Create menu > Cameras > Target Camera.
2. Click in the active viewport to set the location of the camera. Drag and release to aim the camera.

Fine-Tune Camera Position and Parameters.

Adjusting a camera’s position in the viewport. Use this procedure to manually adjust a Target Camera’s position and viewpoint.

1. Choose Views > Viewport Configuration > Layout. Select a layout configuration with multiple viewports.
2. Click in one of the viewports to select the Camera view. Other viewports can be set to Top, Left, etc., to provide adequate multi-dimensional views of the camera’s position in the scene.
3. Click Apply; click OK.

Adjusting a camera’s parameters. Use this procedure to precisely adjust a camera’s parameters.

1. Click on a camera to select it.
2. In the Command Panel, click the Modify tab (second from left).
3. Make adjustments under the appropriate rollout (e. g., Parameters, Depth of Field Parameters, Maxwell Parameters).

Set up Render Parameters.

Choose Render Setup (click F10, or Rendering > Render Setup) to access the Render Setup dialog box.

The Common tab includes basic settings such as render size and file destination, as well as more advanced settings for fine-tuning rendered output.

To render a single image (instead of an animation): Check the Time Output area: “Single” should be checked.

To change render output size: Make appropriate selections in the Output Size area.

To change file destination: In the Render Output area, click Files. Specify the file name, location, and type. (Note: this will turn the Save File toggle on; it will remain on until you turn it off.)

 

Render the Image.

Choose Rendering > Render.