You use gmax to quickly create professional-quality 3D models of characters and environments, texture and animate them on your PC. You can then save them as .gmax files and bring them back into your game.
gmax comes in two flavors, one for the game developer and one for the game player. The game developer uses gmax to model and texture levels and characters, and to create game animation as well. The game player can use gmax to customize the levels and characters in their game, through the use of a gmax game pack.
If you are a game developer and already familiar with 3ds max, read the reference section entitled What is gmax? to find out the differences between the two programs.
If you a game player and new to gmax, you can learn to use the software by following the tutorials that accompany the product. You can access the tutorials using the Help menu > Tutorial command. You'll have to extract the tutorial scene files before you can do the tutorials. Be sure to do the beginner level tutorials first, if you are new to the program.
Reading the following will provide you with a conceptual understanding of gmax. These brief topics are designed to help you quickly start understanding and using the program.