How to create a simple Light Saber in 3D Studio Max.

I designed this model using only the simple primitives, standard and one extended, in Max.The model has 20 elements, being 12 cylinders 2 tubes 5 chamfer cylinders and 1 sphere. The 12 cylinders where aligned as seen in fig 2 to make the main body and the grips of the Saber.

The 2 tubes were scaled and aligned to form the end of the weapon so hollow.

There are 5 Chamfer cylinders, these are cylinders with a bevel on each end, two form the main shaft, the othe 3 are used for the power switch (red) and the two terminals.

Lastly the sphere was placed as the but of the weapon.

All these primitives can be accessed in max through the Create standard and extended buttons as seen fig 1 and 2.

The final thing to do is to add textures to the primitives using the Material Editor use your imagination here. You may want to add a few lights and then render your creation good luck.

Above I rendered the saber in 30 frames with the (blade) cylinder height properties reducining in modify panel over time. It was rendered to AVI format then converted to GIF in paintshop pro (animation shop).

Fig 1 Shows all elements( Primitives)exploded.

Fig 2 shows the final result when all elements are aligned.

Below is the realtime model displayed in Metestream format if it does not display you need to get a plug in from Metastream it is worth it. Just click on box.

Right click on metastream window for Help.

Left click on image to Rotate.

This Tutorial was designed at DomUk.com