Using an Image as a Background in 3D Studio Max 2.x
by Andrew Keller

First off, start up 3D Studio MAX Release 2.x.  You won't need to open any files for this tutorial.  For the first step, is to go to the Rendering menu and select Environment.  When the new window pops up, click on the large button under Environmental Map.  From here, make sure there is a dot in the circle next to "New" in the "Browse From" field.  If this is not true, click the circle next to New in the Browse From field.  Once this is done, select Bitmap from the options on the right.  Hit OK and close the Environment window.  Next, open the materials editor by clicking on the button with 4 colored spheres (blue, white, green, and red).  Once the materials editor opens, click on the Maps button.  Now click the button across from Diffuse that currently says None.  In the Browse From field, select Scene, and then select Map #1 (Bitmap) (Environment) from the option(s) on the right.  Select Instance and hit OK.  In the Bitmap Parameters area, click the large blank button next to Bitmap.  From here, search your hard drive for the image that you wish to use as your background.  Once this is done, goto the Coordinates area of the materials editor and make sure that there is a dot in the circle next to Environ.  Then, from the pull down menu, select Screen and exit the materials editor.   When you render your scene, the image that you selected as your background will be the background for your rendered image.