We will continue with our 3D Studio MAX Tutorials and now we can use vase model from previous tutorial (Vase model in 3D Studio MAX) and will continue with material for the vase. Of course most vases made from glass which have specific refraction and reflection abilities. In this tutorial I will show you how to prepare this glass material and render the scene with Mental Ray to get the most photo realistic result.

First we have to prepare our glass material. This can be done in Material Editor. Material Editor can be found in main menu in 3D Studio MAX or by icon in toolbar like shown on the picture below.

First lets make the reflection material for the checkmate floor. This floor need to have some glossy surface with with specular point from the light. For making this select Phong for the Shader and set Specular Level to 90 and Glossiness to 75.

Next we have to set the Maps in our material. From Maps section click on Diffuse Color and select Checker from the list. Also click on Reflection and select Flat Mirror from the list

Now click on Checker and set the Tiling by 10 x 10 are any other value that you think will be better for your scene.

Now return on Maps and click on Reflection and check Apply to faces with ID: 1 checkbox.

Now select your floor which you made bellow your vase, return back to main material properties and assign current material to selected object by pressing the button like shown on the picture below.

We are ready with the floor and can continue with glass material. Glass like the floor need to have glossy ability and you can set this properties like you set in the checker floor. Also you can set some light blue color for Ambient and Diffuse in Phong Basic Properties section.

Next in Maps section select Raytrace for Reflection and Refraction maps.

Next click on Refraction and click on Refraction radio button like shown on the picture below. Also do this for Reflection map, but there you have to click on Reflection radio button. Now your material is ready and you can assign him to the vase model like you already assign checker material to the floor.

Now from Render menu in 3D Studio MAX click on Render. Next click on Common tab and for production render choose Mental Ray Render. Click on OK button.

Also you can turn on Caustic and Global Illumination from Indirect Illumination tab in render dialog.

Now your scene is ready and you can click on render to se the result.

Related Tutorials:
Vase model in 3D Studio MAX
Melt crystal vase in 3D Studio MAX
Breaking crystal vase animation in 3D Studio MAX