These pages form a basic showcase, for want of a better word, of my efforts in trying to 3ds max 6. The vast majority are from tutorial videos which are available to download from Cris Robson's excellent 3D site, 3D Palace.
So far the only models for perusion are the chess set (the 3D modelling equivalent of programming's Hello World), a Warhammer Dreadnought, a minigun in a state of non-completion (I decided not to add additional detail until I was more experienced) and a rather wide-bodied missile launching truck. Each of these are accessible from the menu above.
Actually, there's no particular reason. It was originally recommended by Cris Robson himself, and a demo was available for download from Discreet's site. After playing around with it for a bit I decided I liked it. However, there are aspects that are irritating about it: its resource consumption can be horrific but then most 3D modelling programs are, and there are also peculiarities that arise, such as using the cut tool on a rather complex (relatively speaking) model.
Yes and no. Pro/Engineer is specifically suited to accurate engineering development of components and assemblies. I haven't yet seen an option in 3ds max to transfer a 3D model to 2D orthogonal projection drawings complete with measurement, tolerance and welding details for example. 3ds max arguably offers slightly better manipulation of the model, but then it is more geared towards the art side of things.
I've now been using 3ds max for the best part of two weeks and just getting used to its features and its quirkiness.
Pass. Suffice to say that for various reasons I wouldn't recommend it. A case of do as I say, not as I do...