3D Modeling of a Chain in 3DS MAX

Copy Cones

Make copies of both cones and place them precisely according to the picture 1. Use Mirror function in 3DS MAX to copy the curved cone.

Edit Mesh: Attach Cones

Attach all four cones into one object by using Attach function in Edit Mesh.

Remove Duplicate Vertices

Now the object has duplicate vertices. Use Weld function in Edit Mesh to remove duplicate vertices:

1. Select all vertices
2. Click the Weld button in Edit Mesh modifier

Centralize the Axis of the Mesh

Centralize the axis of the mesh by taking the following steps:

1. Select the object
2. Click Hierarchy Panel
3. Click Affect Pivot Only
4. Click Center to Object
5. Click Modify Panel

Copies of the Piece of the Chain

Now one piece of chain is complete. Take three copies of it. Create a plane object below the model. Place objects as realistically as possible on top of the plane for example like in the picture 2. If you want you can also create a longer chain.

Material: Chrome

Create a new material and attach it to the pieces of the chain:
Shader Basic Parameters:
Metal
Metal Basic Parameters:
Specular Level: 100
Glossiness: 70
Maps:
Reflection: Raytrace (REFMAP.gif)

Create Lighting in 3D Studio MAX

Create a light (target directional) and turn shadows on. Place the light so that it points directly downwards. Place a camera and change the Perspective view to Camera view.

Turn SuperSampling on

Turn SuperSampling on and render the picture. Supersamping can be turned on in material settings in SuperSampling section. Set the following parameters:

Enable
Adaptive Halton
Quality 1

SuperSampling is one of antialiasing technique in 3DS MAX. In this case SuperSampling considerably enhances the quality of reflections and bump map. The material should look like in the picture 2.

Add Bump Map to the Material

Add more realism into the picture by adding little roughness to the surface of the chain. Set the Bump Map amount to 20 and choose Dent as Bump map in the Maps section of the material. Set the following parameters to the Dent map:

Size: 10
Strength:1
Iterations: 10

You can also try other values. With these settings the material of the chain should look like in the picture 3.