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Margarita Nikita

Transform your static renders into dynamic, compelling animations.

This course is your complete guide to animating in 3ds Max using Corona and V-Ray, two of the most powerful rendering engines used in architectural visualization and product design today. Whether you’re a 3D artist, architect, or visualizer, learning to animate your scenes is the next step in creating presentations that truly stand out.

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Transform your static renders into dynamic, compelling animations.

This course is your complete guide to animating in 3ds Max using Corona and V-Ray, two of the most powerful rendering engines used in architectural visualization and product design today. Whether you’re a 3D artist, architect, or visualizer, learning to animate your scenes is the next step in creating presentations that truly stand out.

We'll begin with the fundamentals — keyframes, the timeline, and animation controls — so you can build a strong foundation even if you’ve never animated before. From there, we dive into real-world techniques: animating cameras for smooth walkthroughs, adjusting light intensity and color temperature to simulate mood and time of day, and animating the sun to show how natural light transforms a space.

You’ll learn how to animate using both Corona and V-Ray, understanding the differences and best practices for each. The course includes tips on render settings, test previews, and exporting high-quality animations without wasting time or resources.

By the end, you’ll be able to confidently create polished, professional animations — perfect for client presentations, portfolio work, or marketing content.

If you already know how to render, it’s time to make your work move.Because stunning visuals deserve stunning motion.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Animate objects, cameras, and lights in 3ds max using keyframes – learn how to control movement, rotation, and scale over time.
  • Create smooth camera walkthroughs and flythrough animations – perfect for architectural and product visualizations.
  • Adjust light intensity, color, and temperature dynamically – use corona and v-ray to simulate natural lighting changes and mood.
  • Animate the sun and daylight system to represent different times of day – show how a space transforms from morning to night.
  • Optimize render settings and test keyframes for efficient workflows – avoid costly mistakes and speed up your final output.
  • Export your animation sequences into high-quality video formats – learn how to turn your frames into polished presentation-ready videos.

Syllabus

Introduction
By the end of this section, students will navigate 3ds Max’s interface, create and modify objects, use transform tools, select elements, and save projects, building a strong foundation for 3D work.
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Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Animation in 3ds Max with Corona & V-Ray and AI Intro. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Animation in 3ds Max with Corona & V-Ray and AI Intro will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
Comprehensive guide to character animation in 3ds Max. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic rigging techniques to advanced motion capture techniques. It is an excellent resource for both beginners and experienced users.
Comprehensive guide to 3ds Max in Russian. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic modeling techniques to advanced rendering techniques. It is an excellent resource for both beginners and experienced users.
Comprehensive reference guide to 3ds Max. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic modeling and animation to advanced rendering techniques. It is an excellent resource for both beginners and experienced users.
Comprehensive guide to the art of animation, covering everything from the basics of drawing to the latest techniques in computer animation. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn how to create professional-quality animation.
Comprehensive guide to the art of drawing, which is the foundation of all animation. It covers everything from the basics of anatomy to the latest techniques in character design. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn how to draw and create their own 3D characters.
Comprehensive guide to the principles of animation, covering everything from character design to timing and motion. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn the basics of animation.
Comprehensive history of animation, from its origins in the early days of cinema to the latest techniques in computer animation. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn about the history of animation and how it has evolved over time.
Comprehensive guide to the art of character expression, which is the process of creating believable and engaging characters that can communicate a wide range of emotions. It covers everything from the basics of facial expressions to the latest techniques in character animation. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn how to create their own 3D characters that can truly come to life.
Great introduction to the art of computer animation, covering everything from the basics of 3D modeling to the latest techniques in animation and rendering. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn how to create their own computer animations.
Comprehensive guide to the art of motion, which is the process of creating believable and fluid movement in animation. It covers everything from the basics of physics to the latest techniques in character animation. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn how to create their own 3D characters that can move realistically and convincingly.
Practical guide to creating cartoon animation. It covers everything from character design to storyboarding to animation techniques. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn how to create their own cartoons.
Comprehensive guide to the art of computer animation, from its origins in the early days of cinema to the latest techniques in 3D animation. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn about the history of computer animation and how it has evolved over time.
Comprehensive guide to the art of 3D computer animation and effects, covering everything from the basics of 3D modeling to the latest techniques in rendering and compositing. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn how to create their own 3D animations and effects.
Specifically targets SketchUp users who want to achieve photographic realism with V-Ray. It offers practical, step-by-step instructions and examples to guide users through the process of creating realistic renders within the SketchUp environment. It's a good resource for those focusing on this particular software combination.
Considered a classic and comprehensive reference in computer graphics. While not focused on V-Ray, it provides a deep understanding of the underlying algorithms and theories behind 3D rendering. is highly valuable for advanced students and professionals seeking a thorough foundation in the field.
Given that V-Ray is frequently used with SketchUp for architectural visualization, this book provides valuable context on creating effective 3D models for rendering. It covers the entire workflow from modeling to presentation, making it a useful companion for V-Ray users working with SketchUp.
While not V-Ray specific, this book is crucial for understanding how light works in the real world and how to apply those principles to digital rendering. It's an excellent resource for improving the artistic quality of renders created with V-Ray by focusing on the fundamentals of light and shadow. It is suitable for all levels.
A highly recommended book for understanding the fundamental principles of digital lighting and rendering, which are directly applicable to V-Ray. It covers concepts like light behavior, shadows, and materials, essential for creating realistic renders regardless of the software used. This foundational text for any 3D artist.
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This comprehensive guide aims to provide both technical and theoretical understanding of V-Ray. While older editions might focus on earlier V-Ray versions, the structure and depth can still be valuable for understanding the renderer's capabilities and parameters. It can serve as a detailed reference for various V-Ray features.
Guides Cinema 4D users through the intricacies of V-Ray, emphasizing practical applications and real-world scenarios to enhance their rendering skills.

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