This books has good tutorials and explanations about topics like, methods of object creation/modeling, textures and lights. This is what you have to understand before making a scene or animation. You can also work with animations, if you pc is good enough. This book gives what it takes to start working or work better with 3DSMax fx. By the way, the book is about 3D Studio Max 1, but since the way lights, materials and objects work is the same, it's a good choice.Go to #3dsmax at Undernet if you need help.