Geometric primitives are familiar as 3D objects in the real world such as beach balls, pipes and tubes and boxes, doughnuts, and ice cream cones. In 3D Studio MAX, you can model many such objects using a single primitive. You can also combine primitives into more complex objects and further refine them with modifiers.
3DS MAX supplies a set of Ten basic primitives for your use. All are easily generated by mouse, and most have keyboard entry as well.
Each primitive contains multiple variations. Many can be sliced like a pie. As a starting point for experimentation, this chapter gives you the specifics on all options available in this set.