Make a new project at 3ds Max. This type of program requires mastery of very technical steps and functions. For amateurs who don't have enough time to invest on learning this type of program, you may try the less technical program Google Sketchup.
Choose the basic shape you want to produce from the options available. For instance, when making a sphere or a ball, click "Hedra" under "Object Type," which is located on the upper right part of your work interface. You may also explore other available shapes including "Prism," "Hose," "Ringwave," Spindle" and "Capsule."
Click the "Select" and "Move" tools, then change your item properties' X, Y, and Z values to "0." You can make these changes from the spaces found at the bottom of the screen. These values refer to the axis and plane where the three-dimensional image is placed. When the values are changed to "0," this places the object to the center of the grid of your work interface.
Convert the shape into "Editable Poly" by right-clicking it, then choosing "Convert to" and "Editable Poly."
Detach all polygons in your shape individually. To do this, go to the "Modify" tab, then select the "Edge" selection mode and press "CTRL-A." After all the edges are selected, click "Split" from the "Edit Edges" rollout menu.
Add a "MeshSmooth" modifier from the "Modifier" list, then add a "Spherify" modifier after. These steps allow you to create a smooth ball based on the original shape you made.
Add another "Edit Poly" modifier, then click on the "Polygon" selection mode. Press "Ctrl-A" in order to select all the polygons in your 3D shape.
Select the little box found next to "Extrude" under the "Edit Polygons" rollout menu, then leave the extrusion type as "Group Normals." Change the value or amount of extrusion accordingly, then click the check mark for the "OK" option. As a basic guide, you can change the amount to 0.75cm. Extrusion refers to the process used to build the object's cross-sectional profile.
Save your final 3D shape.
Open Google SketchUp. This program allows you to build a 3D shape without mastering very technical requirements.
Make a new project in the program, then go to the "Tool" panel.
Click on the "Rectangle Tool," then drag this across your work interface. Wait until a rectangle shows up on your work interface. You will notice that the shape has a dotted line that extends from corner to corner. Use this point as your guide to create a polygon with equal sides (square) instead of a rectangle.
Go to the "Tool" panel, then choose the "Push/Pull Tool." Apply this to your square to raise it and show it as a 3D shape. Dragging this shape simply requires moving the mouse around until you create the actual 3D look you want for your shape.