Archviz Course | Complete Guide to V-Ray for 3ds Max.
Skill level
Beginner
Duration
Approx. 6 hrs
Certificate
On completion
Closed Captions
English
About this course
Unlock the full potential of V-Ray for 3ds Max with this hands-on, architectural visualisation course built around Richard Meier’s renowned Saltzman House. Designed for aspiring and practising architects, 3D artists, and visualisers, this in-depth training teaches you how to create stunning, photorealistic renders for both interior and exterior scenes using industry-standard tools and techniques.
At the heart of the course is the Saltzman House – a modernist icon that serves as a perfect canvas for learning advanced rendering. You’ll begin by setting up your project from scratch, learning how to import and organise geometry, establish a clear lighting strategy, and prepare your camera views for visual impact. Early lessons cover the fundamentals of V-Ray’s Cosmos Browser and Frame Buffer, equipping you with the knowledge to populate and preview scenes quickly and accurately.
From there, you’ll dive deep into material creation. Learn how to apply physical V-Ray materials to architecture-specific elements like glazing, concrete, wood, and landscape surfaces. You’ll also explore best practices for texture mapping and using scatter tools to populate exterior scenes with trees, grass, and natural elements. For interiors, you’ll learn how to furnish your model with realistic assets and optimise lighting for mood and clarity—key to achieving lifelike results.
Beyond just creating static images, this course takes you through the full rendering pipeline. You’ll refine your compositions, adjust tone mapping and exposure settings in the V-Ray Frame Buffer, and prepare your scene for high-resolution output. Special focus is given to render optimisation, including the use of Chaos Cloud rendering to save time and maximise performance—ideal for users working on laptops or less powerful machines.
Once your raw renders are complete, you’ll move into post-production using Adobe Photoshop. Discover how to enhance contrast, balance colour, and apply subtle effects like glow, fog, and depth-of-field using render elements. This stage is crucial for turning technically correct renders into polished, presentation-ready images.
As a bonus, the course also covers animation. Learn how to create smooth, cinematic camera paths that allow you to produce flythroughs and walkthroughs—perfect for client presentations, portfolios, and marketing materials. You’ll finish the course with a solid grasp of key V-Ray tools like fur, displacement, sheen, and enmesh, which are explored in a simplified bonus scene for quick experimentation.
Whether you’re looking to enhance your rendering workflow, build a standout portfolio, or simply take your 3D visualisation skills to the next level, this course delivers professional-grade training in a clear, accessible format. With over 8 hours of step-by-step content, it’s the ultimate guide to mastering V-Ray for 3ds Max through the lens of an iconic architectural project.
Skills you'll gain
- Master Professional Rendering Techniques for Architecture
- Build Complete, Portfolio-Ready Visuals from Start to Finish
- Gain Confidence with Advanced V-Ray Tools
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Syllabus
Lesson 1 – Introduction (13:38). Kick off the course with a clear, fast-tracked introduction designed to get you up and running quickly—without skipping the essentials. Learn why 3ds Max is the ideal platform for V-Ray rendering, and dive into the iconic Saltzman House by Richard Meier, which sets the scene for everything you’ll build in the course. This lesson lays the groundwork for a smooth, professional workflow that leads to stunning results.
Lesson 2 – Setting the Scene, Lighting & Cameras (19:49). In this lesson, you’ll start shaping the visual atmosphere of your scene. Learn how to introduce lighting to test your early render setup, while also importing and managing landscape geometry efficiently. Discover the importance of grouping by material, tips for importing from external modelling programs, and setting up your scene for success. It’s all about laying the technical groundwork for a stunning, lifelike render.
Lesson 3 – Cosmos Browser & Frame Buffer (12:54). In this lesson, you’ll take your scene to the next level by adding rich materiality using the powerful Cosmos Browser. Learn how to search, select, and apply high-quality materials like grass, concrete, and gravel with precision. You’ll also gain insight into proper texture mapping and how to preview your scene effectively with the V-Ray Frame Buffer—essential for controlling colour and exposure. A key step in making your visuals look polished and professional.
Lesson 4 – Materials (25:57). This lesson dives into the essentials of material creation in V-Ray, focusing on simplicity and effectiveness for architectural visualisation. You’ll learn how to create and apply physical V-Ray materials with confidence, using the right tools and settings for believable results. Perfect for beginners, this session strips away the complexity and shows you exactly what you need to know to bring your surfaces to life—clean, realistic, and render-ready.
Lesson 5 – Populating the Exterior (35:04). Bring your scenes to life with the magic of scatter tools. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to quickly and intelligently populate your exterior environment—adding trees, plants, and other natural elements that give depth and realism to your renders. Discover how simple the setup can be, and why scatter tools are a game changer for efficient, stunning architectural visuals. A favourite among rendering pros for good reason!
Lesson 6 – Populating the Interior (44:22). In this lesson, we shift focus to the interior—fine-tuning your 3D model and dressing spaces with realistic assets. Learn how to identify and correct model inconsistencies, then populate the scene using a mix of in-built and third-party elements for that lived-in, professional look. It’s all about setting the stage for stunning interior renders that feel complete, cohesive, and ready for the spotlight.
Lesson 7 – Exterior shot refinement (01:12:32). Now it’s time to push your visuals from good to great. In this lesson, you’ll learn the subtle but critical refinements that elevate an exterior render—drawing from professional precedents and industry-leading CGI studios for inspiration. Discover how to critique your own work, identify areas for enhancement, and begin developing a more polished, photorealistic final image. This is where the artistry of architectural visualisation truly begins.
Lesson 8 – Interior shot refinement (47:50). This lesson focuses on enhancing your interior visuals through thoughtful composition and realistic furnishing. Learn how to fine-tune lighting and white balance, then populate your space with carefully selected assets from Chaos Cosmos. From balancing tones to choosing furniture that feels lived-in, this is where your interior scenes start to feel immersive, polished, and ready for the portfolio.
Lesson 9 – Rendering (53:27). It’s time to hit render—but not before fine-tuning every last detail. This lesson focuses on optimising your render settings for clarity, speed, and quality, while also revisiting your scene with a critical eye. From camera tweaks to better vegetation choices, you’ll learn how small adjustments make a big visual impact. Additionally, you’ll learn how to take a load off your own machine by using the Chaos Cloud. Discover how to get clean, professional results without drowning in unnecessary settings.
Lesson 10 – Post-production (36:58). With your renders complete, it’s time to elevate them through post-production. In this lesson, you’ll step into Photoshop to refine lighting, boost contrast, correct colours, and add subtle enhancements that bring your visuals to life. Learn professional finishing touches that separate raw renders from polished, portfolio-ready imagery, making the most of render elements exported in the previous lesson. You’ll also learn to use the camera raw filter to finalise colour grading and add a cinematic touch.
Lesson 11 – Animation (19:49). Step into the world of animated visuals by learning how to create smooth, cinematic camera movements. This lesson shows you how to set up and animate cameras in 3ds Max—perfect for architectural flythroughs that bring your projects to life. From keyframes to timelines, you’ll gain a clear understanding of how to build dynamic sequences that elevate your presentation. A powerful introduction to animation for visual storytelling.
Lesson 12 – Bonus Tips & Tools (26:30). This final lesson is your chance to explore powerful V-Ray tools we didn’t cover in the main scene, perfect for rounding out your skillset. Working in a simplified environment for quick testing, you’ll dive into features like V-Ray Fur, displacement for deep surface detail, god rays and advanced material options like sheen, clear coat and enmesh. Learn how each can enhance realism, and get comfortable with tools that open up new creative possibilities in your workflow.
Why take the course?
What will you learn?
Meet your tutor - Adam Morgan | Architectural Director | Studio RBA
Hi, I’m Adam. I am the founder and director of ThreeForm Architects, a team of architects and artists in Liverpool, UK. The office is experienced in a wide range of building types and procurement routes, successfully winning projects with contract values of up to £20 million. We work for a broad spectrum of public and private sector clients across the country. I have always had a passion for teaching aspiring and young architects. I offer support to emerging young architects through the RIBA mentoring programme and am also a visiting architectural critic and tutor for Liverpool John Moores University.
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