Software : 3D Studio Max
Tutorial : Creating a camp fire

Step 1.
Boot 3DS max.

Step 2.
a. Select the create tab.
b. Select the geometry button
c. Choose cylinder.
(If cylinder is not available make sure your geometry drop down is set to 'Standard Primitives')



Step 2.
Choose either the front or left viewport and create a cylinder like a log.
You should end up with something like below.


Step 3.
Next I wanted the log to look a little more natural so I added a noise modifier by :
a. Select the modify tab
b. Drop down the modifier list
c. Select noise.
d. Set the X,Y,Z strength to a value where your cylinder looks like a log my values are below.


You should now have something like this...


Step 4.
Now we need to create enough logs to represent a fire.
a. Select your log in the top view port, press the shift key, then click and drag to make a copy directly opposite to your original.
You should now have something like this...


b. Now make sure you select both of your logs (you can do this by holding down CTRL whilst selecting objects), select the rotate tool, hold down shift and make 2 new logs at right angles to the others.
You should now have something like this...


c. Repeat the above process to create another four logs.
You should now have something like this...


Step 5.
Now for the lighting.
To create the right kind of lighting for the fire.
Create an omni light in the centre of your logs in the top viewport.
a. Select the create tab
b. Select the lights tab
c. Select omni light.


You should now have something like this...


Step 6.
Atmospheric apparatus (area to bind fire effect to)
a. Click the create tab
b. Click the helpers button
c. Make sure atmospheric apparatus is selected
d. Click the sphere gizmo button.

e. Create the sphere gizmo in the top view port then in the modifier tab check the hemisphere option.
You should now have something like this...


Step 7.
Now in the front viewport use the scale tool to stretch the sphere gizmo vertically.
You should now have something like this...


Step 8.
Now from the rendering menu select Environment.


Then on the environment menu select, Add, Fire effect.


Now underneath you chould see the fire parameters rollout.
You'll have to play about with the settings under here to get them just right.
I used ...

Keep rendering images of the fire as you test different parameters in the fire effect rollout.

Result :

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