3Ds Max 8 help

[Mutley]

I've just started practicing with this, my first time at modelling and done a few tutorials (Chess pieces: Pawn, Bishop, other: glass, christmas decoration) so getting used to it.

I have a few questions which I hope someone can answer...

1) How can I have 2 models open at once, like my pawn and bishop next to each other? When I open one, then try to open another, it overlaps the window as 2 seperate things.

2) When I make a glass, or something see through and render it, it is very dark and hardly visible (because you just see through it...) any tricks of making it appear better? Like lighting or a setting I need to change?

3) Where can I download more materials?

Thanks guys.

 

[mindless_moder]

1) file > merge > select the other file
2) play with the refractive and reflictive settings of the material and render it in a scene as opposed to a black background
3) look around some plugin sites for something called "Symbiont materials" thats the only materials plugin ive seen for max we usualy jut make our own.